Since 2005, researchers and trainers from CIRAD and its partners have been travelling throughout Africa and Asia to provide training in veterinary epidemiology and the surveillance of trans-border animal diseases, particularly bird flu and foot-and-mouth disease.

"It is mainly veterinary service staff members who take part in our teaching workshops. They are selected by the authorities in the countries in which we work", explains Flavie Goutard from the CIRAD Epidemiology and Ecology of Animal Diseases Internal Research Unit, "but we also train trainers". The workshops are generally held in the national capital and last five days. They comprise several modules: measuring diseases, interpretation of diagnostic tests, sampling, risk analysis, etc.

The workshop leaders use IT teaching tools based on role-play. The participants play the role of a veterinary surgeon specialized in epidemiology who is in charge of animal disease surveillance in a virtual country. They face various situations in which they have to establish surveillance plans, handle sanitary scares, or conduct epidemiological surveys.

An initial tool, RANEMA, was developed by CIRAD and the Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort as a refresher course in the basics of animal epidemiology. It can be used for onsite or distance learning via the CIRAD eLearning platform

Following the warm welcome given to and the success of RANEMA, a second module, RANEMA-flu, was developed; it is more specifically devoted to bird flu epidemiology and surveillance. A third module, centring on biostatistics, is currently being developed. There are plans to translate this tool into Thai to ensure its optimum use in Thailand and Laos.
Moreover, training courses have been organized within CIRAD for people working on bird flu in the field. They are intended to present the appropriate personal protection measures and ensure standardized sampling techniques and maintenance of the cold chain during biological sample collection campaigns.