Digital Pen Technology for TADs Reporting

Geographic Coverage: Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia

Duration: November 2008 - December 2012

Funding: $US 581 944

Donor: SADC with funds from AFB

Partners: FAO ECTAD, SADC Secretariat, Management Unit of the SADC TADs project, Departments of Veterinary Services of the participating countries

Beneficiaries: Epidemiology Units of Departments of Veterinary Services of participating countries; surveillance personnel in the field.

Goal: The main objective is to contribute to the SADC TADs project’s goal of improved food security and wealth creation.

Specific Objective: To provide FAOs technical expertise, specifically in regards to strengthening surveillance, but also on risk assessment and development of early warning systems

Expected Results:
The project has four results:
 Disease surveillance and epidemiology units strengthened. (Digital pen technology)
 Southern African Commission for the Control of TADs constituted
 Capacity for risk assessment and risk mapping increased
 Capacity for early warning against TADs strengthened

Main activities

Introduction of Digital Pen Technology for improved disease surveillance
The activity is directed at improving quantity and quality of data collection at field level, data low from filed to national HQ and SADC Secretariat, data processing and analysis by the Epidemiology units. Inception workshops, followed by training courses and handing over of the Pen/Cell phone units, will be held in all five countries. Special data collection forms will be developed for each country. Data collection using DPT shall eventually replace the conventional form of reporting. It is also envisaged to build interfaces with LIMS at national and regional level and with TADinfo at national level.

Southern African Commission for the Control of TADs
FAO will recruit experts, particularly those with a background of the EUFMD commission, to carry out a framework study for the establishment of this Commission. The aim of the study is to establish a solid ground for SACCT to work in a sustainable, long-term oriented manner. While this activity assures the establishment of the SADCCT, the SFMDP/FAO project will assure the initial operationalisation of SACCT and the possibility for this body to access a research fund for specific needs that might be identified through their work.

Disease risk assessment and risk mapping
FAO expertise will assist the epidemiology units of the participating countries to identify and evaluate risk factors for the spread of TADs and will assist in building their capacity for the methodologies. Risk maps will be produced twice during the project period and changes will be documented.

Early warning system strengthened
Close linkages with international Early Warning Systems such as GLEWS will be established. Cross-border simulation exercises for FMD are planned.