Training workshop for veterinary laboratories in English-speaking countries on the transport of infectious substances: focus on peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and other priority animal diseases

Building on the momentum of its regional capacity-building efforts, the Pan African Veterinary Vaccine Centre (AU-PANVAC) convened a targeted training workshop for veterinary laboratories from English-speaking African countries from 17 to 19 February 2026 in Accra, Ghana. Hosted at the Oak Plaza Hotel-Suites, the workshop focused on strengthening the safe transport of infectious substances, with particular emphasis on peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and other priority transboundary animal diseases.

This initiative forms part of the broader continental strategy to reinforce laboratory systems and biosecurity practices that underpin the global PPR eradication agenda. As surveillance and rapid laboratory confirmation remain critical pillars of the PPR Global Control and Eradication Strategy (PPR-GCES), ensuring the safe and compliant shipment of field samples continues to be a strategic priority for AU-PANVAC and its partners.

The Accra training brought together 22 veterinary laboratory professionals from anglophone countries, creating a focused platform to harmonize procedures and strengthen compliance with international shipping standards. The workshop aimed to enhance participants’ technical and regulatory competencies in the classification, packaging, documentation, and transport of infectious substances in line with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.

Through a structured and practice-oriented programme, participants deepened their understanding of biological risk management and the full shipment chain from classification and identification to proper packaging, marking, labelling,  and completion of required documentation. Particular attention was given to the safe handling of PPR samples, recognizing their importance for timely diagnosis and surveillance.

By the end of the three-day intensive training, all 22 participants from 10 countries were successfully certified as shippers of infectious substances. This achievement marks a significant step forward in strengthening the operational readiness of anglophone countries to manage infectious sample transport safely and compliantly.

With this newly enhanced capacity, participating countries are now better equipped to ensure the secure shipment of PPR and other priority disease samples. This will directly support more reliable laboratory confirmation, improved surveillance quality, and faster response to outbreaks key enablers in the progressive pathway toward PPR eradication.

The Accra workshop complements similar capacity-building efforts conducted in francophone countries, reflecting AU-PANVAC’s deliberate strategy to ensure no region is left behind in the march toward PPR eradication. By systematically strengthening both human capacity and procedural compliance across linguistic blocs, AU-PANVAC is helping to build a more resilient and interconnected veterinary laboratory network across Africa.

As countries continue to operationalize these skills at national level, the cumulative impact will extend beyond individual laboratories contributing to safer sample movement, stronger biosecurity, and accelerated progress toward a PPR-free continent.