BAI, JICA conducts trainer's training for Rabies

In his opening remarks, BAI OIC-Director Dr. Paul Limson recognized that the activity was made possible through the Japan and Philippines One Health (JAPOHR) Project.

“Today, we highlight the importance of One Health coordination to be successful in the fight against Rabies. We are grateful for the JAPOHR project as they have aided our National Rabies Prevention and Control Program through support in surveillance and push for a one health coordination.”

The JAPOHR project entitled “The Project for the Establishment of the One Health Prevention and Treatment Network Model for the Elimination of Rabies in the Philippines” aims to introduce a rapid Rabies diagnosis to be used in the field scenario. It is currently being implemented by the DA-BAI, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and Oita University supported by the JICA and Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) for a period of five years from August 2018 to August 2023.

The first day of the training focused on the discussion of animal Rabies status, animal Rabies diagnosis and human Rabies status of the Philippines. On the other hand, the second day tackled several activities such as hands-on training of personal protective equipment (PPE), animal head removal and straw sampling method. Participants also discussed the lateral flow device and Rabies data share system (RaDSS). Since this is a trainer's training, participants are anticipated to conduct a similar training activity in their locality after this activity. Furthermore,once the testing kits are deemed successful in the selected areas, it is hoped to be rolled out nationwide by the Rabies program of the Philippines to improve Rabies surveillance

Other attendees from BAI included Animal Health and Welfare Division (AHWD) Animal Disease Control Section Head Dr. Anthony Bucad, BAI-JAPOHR Focal Person Dr. Maria Glofezita Lagayan, Animal Disease Diagnosis and Reference Laboratory (ADDRL) Pathology Section Head Dr. Jeffrey Cruz. Also present were World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Regional Project Officer Dr. Lesa Thompson, RITM Clinical Research Division Chief Dr. Beatriz Quiambao, Department of Health (DOH) Representative Ms. Sheen Juangco, Oita University Assistant Professor Dr. Saito Nobuo, JICA Chief Representative Mr. Masanari Yanagiuchi, JICA Project Coordinator Ms. Yuki Kawada, RaDSS Program Developer Mr. Richard Edades, Bulacan Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Lea Meeka Fernando and DA Regional Field Office 3 Dr. Milagros Mananggit. ###