OAU-IBAR AWVP TRAINING WORKSHOP held at Kenya Wildlife Service Veterinary Unit, Langata, Nairobi Kenya

The AWVP is a component of PARC, a well-established veterinary programme. It aims at eradicating rinderpest virus from Africa. The project will establish systems to monitor rinderpest at the interface between wild and domestic animals. Samples from wild animal populations in endemic, cordon sanitaire and epidemic areas can provide data to clearly establish the status of rinderpest in the region. Recent and historical epidemics can thus be identified and mapped since the wildlife populations act as sentinels of the disease. The information gained will add to the understanding of the present epidemiology and distribution of the virus remaining in Africa. The absence of antibodies in wild ruminants will assist countries on the OIE pathway and be the final confirmation of the final eradication of rinderpest virus from Africa. An additional and important aspect is capacity building through the training of in country professionals and establishment of a wildlife component of the PARC and future PACE epidemiology network. Through this project considerable progress will be made in promoting better management of rinderpest and assist OAU in the ultimate eradication of rinderpest virus.