Twenty veterinary professionals from ten provinces across Angola convened in Lubango, Huila Province for a five-day training workshop on Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) Surveillance and Control including zoonotic diseases such as rabies control programmes. Organised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Sub-regional representation for Southern Africa (Gaborone, Botswana) with financial support from the Republic of Germany, the training was part of the One Health Approach to Rabies and Transboundary Animal Diseases Project (BMZ OHRT) currently being implemented in the Northern Communal Areas (NCA) of Namibia. The training was facilitated by Dr Tenzin Tenzin (WOAH) and by Dr Emmanual Hikufe from the Directorate of Veterinary Services of Namibia.
The event marked the first of its kind in the country, equipping field veterinarians and technicians with practical skills and strategic insights to tackle TADs, zoonoses, and endemic threats such as rabies, CBPP, FMD, and PPR.
Participants mapped the cattle and small ruminant patterns in Angola between various provinces, which is useful to understand the animal disease transmission risk and prevention measures. Pic @ T.Tenzin (WOAH 2025)
Participants engaged in interactive lectures, group exercises, field visits, gaining hands-on experience in animal disease surveillance, sample size calculation and sampling techniques, outbreak investigation and response including sharing of past experiences in CBPP and FMD outbreak responses in Namibia and Angola, TADs control and contingency plans for both Angola and Namibia, survey design for the demonstration of PPR freedom, disease reporting, animal movement and disease transmission risk with practical exercises of cattle and small ruminants movement patterns mapping across Angola, and rabies and mass dog vaccination campaign planning.
The training fostered cross-border collaboration and highlighted the importance of harmonised surveillance systems under the One Health framework.
Participants were trained in animal restraint and clinical examination techniques, history taking, and sample collection procedures and submission to the laboratory for disease diagnosis. They gained valuable hands-on experience working directly with animals in field settings.
Participants expressed deep appreciation for the training, noting its practical relevance and the opportunity to engage with peers from across the country. The workshop filled a critical gap in Angola’s veterinary capacity and laid the foundation for improved disease control and reporting systems, aligned with international standards. This training represents a significant milestone in Angola’s journey toward stronger animal health systems and regional disease resilience.
Group picture of the training participants in Lubango. pic@ K.Mpedi (WOAH 2025)
