By Henry Neondo
icipe has been designated as a Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) reference centre for vectors and vector-borne animal diseases, which include tsetse flies and animal trypanosomosis as well as arthropod-transmitted viral animal pathogens.
FAO reference centres are selected by the
Director-General of the organisation on the basis of their high level
scientific expertise as well as their commitment to capacity building and
provision of services.
The designation of icipe as a reference centre follows a thorough evaluation of its
mandate, main activities and competencies. It is also based on the Centre’s extensive
experience and prior collaboration with FAO.
As a reference centre, icipe will contribute in four key areas that are vital to the
control of vectors and vector borne animal diseases. First, icipe will provide FAO and its members
with specific, independent technical and scientific advice, as well as
recommendations on interventions against these factors. Second, the centre will
facilitate the identification of African trypanosomes and arthropod transmitted
viral diseases, and provide advice on their ecology.
icipe’s third contribution will be
in the building of the capacity of researchers in FAO member countries or in
the African region, for instance through training courses, workshops and the
development of technology innovation and transfer programmes.
Fourth, icipe
will help to improve the performance and harmonisation of vector and disease
diagnostic services, by sharing biological materials and its relevant with FAO
and other reference centres.
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