Field Epidemiology Training Program for Veterinarians in Beijing

CHINA - The China Field Epidemiology Training Program for Veterinarians (China FETPV) was held in Beijing on 9-10 March 2013.

Designed for training senior officials and technicians in veterinary field, the event was co-sponsored by MOA Veterinary Bureau, FAO and Delegation of the EU to China.

The two-day training aims at building capacity by offering systematic training for senior officials and experts from provincial-level veterinary authorities and institutions, hence to provide technical support for the implementation of the National Medium and Long-Term Plan for Animal Disease Control (2012-2020)(Plan).

The trainers include experts from FAO, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) of University of London, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention and China Animal Health & Epidemiology Center (CAHEC).

The training mainly focused on fundamentals of epidemiology, control measures at field level, and case study and experiences drawn from successful cases of animal disease control.

The training also highlighted the role of epidemiology inthe implementation of the Plan as well as plans for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and Brucellosis prevention and control. Centering on the concept of "One World,One Health", participants discussed how to intensify cooperation between veterinary sector and public health sector in epidemiology to effectively control emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases.

Epidemiology is a comprehensive science of the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions. Field epidemiological investigation represents a cornerstone in the prevention and control system ofmajor animal diseases.

In November 2010, MOA Veterinary Bureau and FAO jointly launched China FETPV supported by China-Canada Livestock Health Extensive Services Project and China-EU Trade Project, and CAHEC is responsible for the implementation ofthe project.

China FETPV is the first national-level field epidemiological training project worldwide, serving as a platform for capacity building in epidemiology. It also represents a model of successful cooperation between China and FAO.

Deputy Director-General Huang Weizhong from MOA Veterinary Bureau, senior coordinator Deng Huajiong from FAO Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases in China (ECTAD China) and First Counselor Jerome Lepeintre from Health and Consumer Affairs of the EU Delegation to China attended and addressed the event.