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In collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Institute (ARC-OVR), the Southern African Society for Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine (SASVEPM) held a national training workshop on Laboratory Biosecurity and Biosafety on 17–19 November 2021. The workshop was hosted at the Transboundary Animal Disease (TAD) laboratory of the ARC-OVR. It was made possible by the generous sponsorship from the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (USDA-APHIS) and the Biological Threat Reduction Programme (BTRP).
Twenty-two participants from provincial veterinary services departments, academia and the ARC-OVR attended. This was a combination of veterinarians, animal health technicians, veterinary technologists, and researchers. On the first day, most of the theory was covered. The trainers from ARC-OVR organised knowledgeable speakers with extensive experience on the topics. The group received talks on: an overview of the TAD facility, Biosafety levels, Risk assessment, Sample packaging & Transport, and the Pathogen Asset Control System. They had the opportunity to openly discuss, interact and share experiences from their own laboratories or field work. Day 2 and 3 were spent inside the TAD laboratory where participants experienced first-hand the procedures to enter and exit a high containment facility. Demonstrations of donning/doffing personal protective equipment, safe working in a biological safety cabinet, and management of spills in the laboratory were given. They also had the opportunity to tour the TAD facility, which included a visit to the Animal Facility, the Production Facility, Incinerator and Effluent Plant.
SASVEPM was pleased that the 3-day workshop was accredited by the South African Veterinary Council (AC/0810/21) with 10 CPD points. We are very grateful to the sponsors, trainers, and facilitators for making the training such a worthwhile experience for the participants. This concludes another successful exercise in capacity building for veterinary services in South Africa. Some photos of the activities are included.
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Demonstration of the personal protective equipment worn by laboratory
staff when working with Foot and Mouth Disease Virus in the stables
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Demonstration of the standard procedures for safe working in a Biological Safety Cabinet
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Participants took turns to practice the techniques learned
for working safely in a Biological Safety Cabinet
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Participants took turns to practice the techniques learned for working safely in a Biological Safety Cabinet
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Visit to the Production Facility and discussions about the Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine production plans
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Participants waiting to enter the Animal (stable) Facility
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Participants entered the Animal (stable) Facility
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Visit to the Incinerator (in the basement)
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