Main achievements

The main achievements of PACE are outlined as follows:

Eradication of RP and control of major epizootics

• Twenty-seven (27) countries have made progress along the OIE pathway for the eradication of rinderpest. ; 16 are recognized as free from the disease, out of them 4 are recognised free from rinderpest infection.
• 26 Countries have submitted their emergency plans for rinderpest and the Director of AU/IBAR has approved 18 of these plans.
• A structure called Somali Ecosystem Rinderpest Eradication Coordination Unit (SERECU) has been established and the strategy plan developed to ensure the final eradication of rinderpest from the presumed remaining last foci from the world. Participatory disease searching (PDS) as a special application of participatory epidemiology method was developed and is successfully being used for the detection of mild form of rinderpest in the Somali ecosystem.
• The capacity for monitoring wildlife disease and undertaking sero-surveys (particularly in relation to rinderpest) has been established in East Africa and there is improved awareness of the methodology in West and Central Africa.
• Jointly with FAO/GREP and IAEA, the Epidemiology Unit of PACE has updated the existing guidelines for the laboratory confirmation of rinderpest and this document has been distributed to PACE member countries.
• Functional epidemio-surveillance systems have been established and are operational in 29 out of the 30 PACE member countries, and performance indicators have been developed for their assessment.
• Regional reference laboratories were identified, assessed and MoU signed between these and AU-IBAR.
• There has been an important improvement in disease reporting rates to both AU-IBAR (from 8.01% in 2000 to 67.9% by the end of 2004) and OIE (59.3% in 2000 to 78.1% by the end of 2004) from the African countries.
• The Pan African Animal Health Yearbook publication has been revitalized. Two issues have been published both in English and French and widely distributed. The third issue will be released soon.
• Economic analysis modules, developed under PARC and improved under PACE, have been transferred to the PACE member countries.

Establishment of the Information and Communication Services- Capacity building programme

• A multi-user, multi-level, multi-lingual and integrated animal resources information management tool named Animal Resources Information System (ARIS) has been developed and introduced to 28 countries. Over 100 staff members in these countries trained on the operation and use of this database
• A Website (www.au-ibar.org) is developed and launched in April 2003. The site is being updated regularly.
• A Local Area Network supporting 73 users established
• Internet connectivity improved by introducing lease-line using two-satellite link (VSAT)
• At least 13 countries are publishing their surveillance findings on bulletins and newsletters on quarterly basis
• Two rounds of regional trainings on data management and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) conducted; 28 staff members from 25 countries benefited
• Communication strategies have been developed in participating countries
• Various papers were produced and training conducted by the different units in countries.
• Data collection and reporting procedures harmonised with international organizations.