Building Regional Resilience: Epidemiological Surveillance Training in Tunis Advances Animal Health Security in Africa
From July 14 to 18, 2025, the city of Tunis, Tunisia, played host to a landmark Epidemiological Surveillance Training, an event set to redefine disease risk mapping, risk assessment, and management for transboundary animal diseases (TADs) across Africa and beyond. Indeed, this high-impact initiative, convened by the African Union – Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), and hosted by Tunisia’s Centre National de Veille Zoosanitaire (CNVZ), signals a renewed commitment to safeguarding the continent’s animal health systems and trading stability.
In line with this objective, the training aimed to enhance the technical capacities of animal health professionals in disease surveillance, GIS-based risk mapping, and risk management methodologies, while also strengthening regional cooperation, data harmonization, and the operationalization of One Health strategies.
Notably, the training was part of the newly launched Regional Programme for the Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases in Africa (TADs Programme). It brought together 20 animal health professionals from 10 countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Cameroon, Mali, Tanzania, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, South Africa, and the Central African Republic. Framed by a vision to harmonize disease surveillance and control between African and Arab regions, this effort specifically targets persistent gaps threatening livestock-based economies, public health, and cross-border commerce. Moreover, the TADs Programme is firmly aligned with AU-IBAR’s Strategic Plan (2024–2028) and international frameworks such as GF-TADs, thereby ensuring that global best practices underpin regional action.
The event officially opened with remarks from Dr. Mohamed Naceur Baccar (CNVZ), Dr. Mahmoud Hanatleh (AOAD), Dr. Hiver Boussini (AU-IBAR), and Tunisia’s Chief Veterinary Officer. They collectively commended Tunisia’s leadership and called on all participants to adopt innovative digital tools and reinforce national surveillance systems. Importantly, their message was clear: achieving resilience in animal health systems demands collaboration, capacity building, and timely, evidence-driven interventions.
Throughout the five-day training, participants followed a progressive, hands-on learning structure. It began with an overview of Tunisia’s surveillance system and a presentation of the TADs Programme, setting the foundation for participants to exchange national experiences and identify common challenges such as underreporting and data fragmentation. Subsequently, the second day introduced practical QGIS training, enabling participants to create geospatial risk maps using real data on Rift Valley Fever (RVF) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR). Building on this foundation, day 3 focused on applying these maps to prioritize surveillance and vaccination campaigns, thereby demonstrating the effectiveness of risk-based strategies. On the fourth day, participants explored global risk assessment frameworks from WOAH and the joint FAO-WOAH-WHO approach, reinforcing the importance of the One Health paradigm and cross-sector collaboration. Finally, the last day consolidated learning through interactive case studies and simulations, effectively equipping participants with strategic planning skills for real-world outbreak management.
To build upon the momentum generated by this pivotal training, it is strongly recommended that AU-IBAR, AOAD, and Member States jointly invest in the continual strengthening of digital disease surveillance infrastructure and regional data-sharing mechanisms. Specifically, priority should be given to the following actions:
- Establishing sustainable funding streams and logistical support for integrated disease surveillance, including routine refresher trainings and in-country mentorship;
- Fostering cross-border and intersectoral collaboration through harmonized surveillance protocols and timely exchange of epidemiological information for early detection and response of diseases causing pathogens in the continent;
- Embedding the One Health approach in all disease control strategies to effectively addressing zoonotic diseases risks and safeguard public health alongside Animal health activities.
Undoubtedly, the Epidemiological Surveillance Training in Tunis stands as a transformative milestone for Africa’s animal health sector. By equipping professionals with advanced skills in GIS mapping, digital data collection, risk mapping ad management by fostering vibrant cross-border collaboration, this initiative accelerates progress toward safe, stable, and resilient animal trade and food security. As a result, participants now return to their home countries not only with expanded technical competence but also as ambassadors of regional cooperation pivotal in the ongoing battle against transboundary animal diseases.
In conclusion, the training of participants on the epidemiological surveillance and GIS is one of activities that marks a critical step toward regional harmonization and the sustainable enhancement of veterinary service delivery through strengthening surveillance systems to guarantee food security, Trade, livestock production and public health in the continent.