6th Cycle Training of Focal Points for Wildlife in Asia and the Pacific

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE) provided training to WOAH Focal Points for Wildlife in Asia and the Pacific. The WOAH Collaborating Centre (CC) for Wildlife, US Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center, USA provided expert training on the 6^th cycle “Wildlife health information management”. Focal Points also established a regional wildlife health network.

Regular training of WOAH Focal Points for Wildlife provides them with the latest knowledge on key topics and also helps to build networks with peers across the region. The last in-person training for WOAH Focal Points for Wildlife in Asia and the Pacific was in 2017, but several online events have been used to retain engagement and encourage information sharing. For some new Focal Points, this was the first opportunity to meet colleagues at a physical workshop.

The objectives of the training were:

• To train the National WOAH Focal Points for Wildlife to be important stewards in their respective countries with respect to Wildlife Health.
• To provide WOAH Focal Points for Wildlife with knowledge on the latest updates from WOAH relating to wildlife health.
• To provide a forum for the National WOAH Focal Points for Wildlife to interact with each other and WOAH staff, towards improving wildlife health across the region.
• To discuss key components required to set up a surveillance system and manage wildlife diseases at the Member level. This includes design of a surveillance system, sample collection, general principles of diagnostic tests, and management and control of diseases in wildlife.
• To inform Focal Points on the latest methods for reporting information at Member level and to WOAH using the wildlife-specific application of WOAH’s World Animal Health Information System i.e. WAHIS-Wild.

The workshop comprised a combination of presentations and interactive sessions. 24 Focal Points for Wildlife or their representatives from WOAH Members in Asia and the Pacific region participated in person. Online observers were able to join for presentation sessions (2 Focal Points for Wildlife).

Workshop details

Date: Tuesday 14^th – Friday 17^th February 2023

Location: Onsite in Bangkok, Thailand, with online participants via Zoom®.

This workshop was organised thanks to funding from the Japan Trust Fund and Australian Government, with generous logistical support of the Department of Livestock Development of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand. WOAH extends special gratitude to experts from the WOAH Collaborating Centre at USGS, USA.

Agenda & Presentations

Report for networking sessions

Resources and further reading

• Wildlife Health in Asia and the Pacific
• WOAH Wildlife Health Framework “Protecting Wildlife Health to Achieve One Health”
• 6th Cycle Training Manual on Wildlife Health Information Management