Hands-on training for laboratory technicians on diagnosis of rabies by FAT, 12 – 16 April 2021, NCAH

A 5-day hands-on training for laboratory technicians on rabies diagnosis using Fluorescence Antibody Test (FAT) was conducted from 12th to 16th April 2021 at the National Centre for Animal Health, Serbithang, Thimphu. About 17 participants attended the training, representing the National Veterinary Laboratory, Serbithang; National Veterinary Hospital, Motithang; Regional Livestock Development Centre, Tshimasham, Wangdue, Zhemgang and Kanglung; and Dzongkhag Veterinary Laboratory, Dagana, Tsirang, Thimphu, Lhuentse, Chhukha and Wangdue Phodrang. The training was conducted with the main objective to enhance the laboratory diagnostic capacity for rabies disease diagnosis in animals, and to achieve the vision of elimination of dog-mediated human rabies in Bhutan by 2030. Technical resources were provided by the National Centre for Animal Health (NCAH), Department of Livestock (DoL) and the Ministry of Health (MoH). Besides the actual practical training on sample collection and the diagnosis using FAT, the training also comprised of technical presentations on rabies disease, epidemiology, situations, and prevention and control in animals and humans.

The training was organized by the DoL and NCAH with the fund support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Technical Cooperation Programme (FAO TCP).