The launching of South Asia Rabies Laboratory Network (SA-RABNET)
April 06, 2023
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Rabies is endemic in much of the SAARC South Asia sub-region, accounting for about 45% of the global burden of human rabies. WOAH initiated and has been managing capacity building measures such as regional and country-level rabies diagnosis training in the sub-region for many years.
The South Asia Rabies Laboratory Network (SA-RABNET) was launched in April 2023, following calls for a platform to connect laboratories (National Lead Rabies Laboratories, or RLDLs) involved in the diagnosis of rabies in animals in the sub-region.
The network’s purpose is to strengthen the rabies diagnostic and surveillance capabilities of the RLDLs in South Asia. Network members agreed to meet virtually once every six months to discuss key progress and challenges in pursuit of rabies elimination from South Asia.
The third meeting of SA-RABNET was held on 3 March 2025 with the following objectives:
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Regional Representation for Asia and the Pacific (RRAP) in collaboration with Karnataka Veterinary, Animal, and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU), India, organised the virtual meeting on 3 March 2025.
A total of 25 attendees, including 15 Network Members from seven South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Members (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) attended the meeting. A series of presentations were made on topics such as updates from the Members and KVAFSU/WOAH on progress and recent activities on rabies since the last meeting; and technical presentations on SOPs for submission of samples to KVAFSU and Interlaboratory proficiency testing – enhancing quality assurance of rabies diagnostic laboratories. Nepal was selected as the new Chair and Sri Lanka as the new Co-Chair who will lead the Network from the 4th meeting onwards. A Mentimeter session was held at the end to understand how the Network is functioning and to collect feedback for further strengthening the Network activities.
Dr Sangay Rinchen from Bhutan as the incumbent Chair, chaired the 3rd Network meeting of SA-RABNET.
The next Network meeting is to be held in six months. The Network Members will continue communication via WhatsApp group and emails.
Date: 3 March 2025
Venue: Virtual
Participation: By invitation
Agenda: PDF
Presentations: ZIP file
Meeting Report: PDF
