Third Meeting: South Asia Rabies Laboratory Network (SA-RABNET)

Background

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.

Objectives

The third meeting of SA-RABNET will be held on 3 March 2025 with the following objectives:

• Share Members’ updates on recent progress and follow-up actions since the Second SA-RABNET meeting.
• Share information on interlaboratory proficiency testing on rabies diagnosis provided by KVAFSU and standard operating procedures for submission of brain samples to the WOAH Reference Laboratory.

Details

Date: 3 March 2025

Venue: Virtual

Participation: By invitation

Agenda: PDF