ILRI researchers have been investigating diseases that afflict both people and animals in an ecosystem context for more than 40 years. ILRI’s animal health and environmental scientists have found One Health approaches to highly useful in their work. Continue reading
Category Archives: Disease Control
Workshop inaugurates surveillance project on human and animal diseases in Kenya
Recently, a consortium of Kenyan and international institutions launched a three-year surveillance project on three of those five priority zoonotic diseases with an inaugural workshop held on 3 September 2019, in Nairobi, Kenya. Continue reading
Minimizing the risks of Rift Valley fever in Uganda – BuildUganda project to build national surveillance and response capacities
In early June this year, the BuildUganda research for development project was launched at a workshop with stakeholders. One of the four components of the project is focused on controlling Rift Valley fever (RVF) in Uganda. This component specifically aims to minimize the impacts of RVF by improving capacities for surveillance and response at national and community levels, leading to better risk prediction, evidence-based disease control policies, and improved awareness about the disease. Continue reading
Improving veterinary public health in Uganda – BuildUganda project aims to improve the quality and safety of animal source foods for consumers
In early June this year, the BuildUganda research for development project was launched at a workshop with stakeholders. The component on veterinary public health aims to improve occupational health for meat handlers by reducing the risks they face and providing training, leading to improved quality and safety of food being produced and available in the market.. Continue reading
More research on African swine fever is urgently needed: No cure, no vaccine and no treatment yet exists for this lethal pig disease
At ILRI, African swine fever research began in early 2000 with a focus on the epidemiology and socio-economic impacts of the disease. ILRI scientists and partners are currently working on developing vaccines for the disease using the CRISPR-cas genome editing system. Continue reading
Launching today—CGIAR Antimicrobial Resistance Hub
Launching today in Kenya is aCGIAR AMR Hubfor powering global, national and local partnershipsto help stem the global rise of drug-resistant pathogensthat is increasingly putting public health at risk. Continue reading
Six-million-dollar investment to tackle the causes of foodborne disease in Ethiopia
The UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) are supporting four new research projects to address a broad set of robust and large-scale research priorities to guide program and policy efforts to improve food safety in Ethiopia. This will be achieved through a consortium of national and international research partners working together to support the country’s ongoing efforts. Continue reading
The elusive quest for the perfect chicken
A team of researchers investigating chicken diseases in Ethiopia has discovered that there is far greater genetic diversity in that seemingly nondescript bird than meets the eye, a discovery that could help boost the productivity of small-scale chicken farms throughout Africa. The study was published in this month’s issue of Nature Sustainability by scientists from … Continue reading
Reducing use of antimicrobial drugs in livestock in low-income countries: Two scientists reflect on options
Delia Grace Randolph, a veterinary epidemiologist and food safety expert who co-leads the Animal and Human Health program at ILRI, was interviewed recently by Wilton Park, a non-profit discussion centre in the UK. The event at which Grace spoke was a workshop held 11–13 Apr 2018 in West Sussex on Innovations to reduce the use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals in low- and middle-income countries. Continue reading
Introducing English and Swahili instructional videos on the patterns, signs, symptoms and control of Rift Valley fever
Originally posted on ILVAC:
Written by Bernard Bett Several outbreaks of Rift Valley fever in livestock and people have occurred in eastern Africa over the last three months or so. In the first week of June 2018, local media reported at least five fatal human cases in Kenya’s northern Wajir County. More suspected cases in…