Participatory Epidemiology Training for Field Veterinarians

1.0 Introduction

Overview of VSF Germany

VSF Germany is an international Non-Governmental Organization, providing humanitarian aid and development assistance to pastoralists and vulnerable communities in areas where livestock is of importance. In the region, VSF Germany implements activities in Southern Sudan, Northern Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia.

We Focus on Livestock, food security and Livelihoods, Natural Resources Management, Peace and Conflict, Good governance, Disasters & Emergency, and Agriculture.

In Marsabit County, VSFG is implementing a 3 years project; Community Action for Improved Drought Response and Resilience - CAIDRR, funded by European Union .The goal of the project is “to contribute towards improving food security in ASAL livelihoods through enhanced response and Resilience to drought”.  The Project is implemented in a consortium of 3 organizations (VSFG- Lead agency, CIFA & WRF) in collaboration with Key county and national ministries/departments; National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries development (MoALFD) among others.

The project has been designed and being implemented within the EDE Framework thus contributing to Drought Risk Management and Ending drought Emergencies Second Medium term Plan 2013-2017. In the implementation, the project focuses on the Drought impacts in Kenya, promotion of sustainable livelihoods in ASAL, Peace and Human security through conflict sensitive programming, investment on climate proof infrastructure, human capital, Gender and Social analysis, drought preparedness and response and Coordination

1.2 Participatory Epidemiology

Participatory Epidemiology is a new field of veterinary epidemiology in which the principles and methods of PRA are applied to gather information on the livestock health and productivity related topics. This new field has attracted a lot of interest and some work has been carried out using these new methods, either just as they are or in combination with conventional disease investigation methods.

To obtain useful information it is crucial for the practitioner to apply the participatory epidemiology methods correctly, to have the right attitude and communication skills for cooperation with the communities.

During the training on PE a specific disease of livelihood importance is usually used in the discussions to elaborate how the process is carried out.

An example of camel disease has been described below and gives the areas how and where PE could capture disease data from:

The dromedary camel (Camelusdromedarius) is the most important livestock species in terms of food security for a siginificant number of pastoralists living in the semi arid and arid lands of Northern Kenya (Wilson, 1984, Schwartz and Dioli, 1992). The camel is an essential partner for their livelihood and the main source of milk, especially during the dry season. Furthermore it provides them with meat, means of transport and plays an important role for the socio-cultural set up of the community (eg. payment of dowry, settlement of fines, recreational activities).

Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS) is a highly fatal disease caused by Pasteurella (P.) multocida Carter serotype B: 2 and E: 2 in bovines (Bastianello and Nesbit, 1994). In camels in Northern Kenya HS is known as “Khanid”, “Quarir”, “Quandich” or “Quandho”. During participatory assessments previously carried out, HS was ranked by the pastoralists in Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo and Marsabit Districts among the four most important health problems of the camels (Simpkin, 1985 and Glücks, VSF Suisse, Nairobi, 2006). In a recent study conducted in Lapur Division of Turkana District, HS was ranked as the fourth most important disease in camels (Mochabo et al., 2005). Outbreaks of this disease are frequent in these areas, especially during the rainy season and the mortality can reach up to 80%, affecting mainly the adult camels (Schwartz and Dioli, 1992). The impact of this great loss on the livelihood of the pastoralists is enormous.

Recent assessments carried out in the above mentioned areas indicated that there is a deep knowledge of the disease in the pastoralist community; however, it remains unused up to now. Vaccinations – with a bovine strain of P. multocida – are carried out by relief and development organisations but their effect has never been assessed. (Wernery and Kaaden, 2002). Furthermore, up to now, P. multocida Carter serotype B has been isolated once from affected camels, but it’s role as the causative agent for HS in camels remains unclear (Wernery and Kaaden, 2002).

The project goal is to develop control recommendations for Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS) of camels, a disease which has adverse impact on pastoralist livelihoods.

Conventional bacteriological methods have so far failed to identify the causative agent and currently applied treatment strategies are unsuccessful. HS vaccines – based on bovine isolates of P. multocida Carter serotypes B:2 and E:2 (the classical HS agent in cattle) – are used in camels by relief and development organizations in Sudan, Ethiopia, Northern Kenya and Somalia. However, the adequacy and protective effect of these vaccinations has never been assessed.

Camel keepers have a profound understanding of the disease which is yet untapped. At the same time new diagnostic tools have become available for Pasteurella species.

A disease surveillance combines Participatory Epidemiology and etiological investigations to:

Build up an epidemiological database on HS in camels

Determine the carrier status of camels for Pasteurella multocida and other Pasteurella species in North East Kenya.

Investigate outbreaks of HS in camels and to identify Pasteurella multocida and other potential pathogens using bacteriological and molecular tools (Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR)

Develop recommendations on vaccine use and improved treatment protocols for HS in camels

Disseminate the study results back to camel owners, veterinary auxiliaries and professionals and relevant organizations involved in provision of animal health services to pastoralist communities

Develop an HS-booklet for publication of the findings for field use as well as scientific publications

Participants in the surveillance include:

All field (PE and sample collection) and workshop activities, dissemination of results and overall surveillance management will be under VSF-Germany. Diagnostic work will be carried out in collaboration with Analabs Ltd., a private veterinary laboratory. Molecular investigations will be based at the Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Veterinary Faculty of the FreieUniversität Berlin.

2.0 Objectives of this Consultancy

At the end of the training 15 participants of the Marsabit County (Laisamis and Marsabit Central) will be able to:

Explain key principles of participatory epidemiology (PE).

Share information and knowledge that reflects change of attitude in diseases investigations using PE tools.

Demonstrate correct use of and processes of conducting PE : Scoring, Ranking and visualization.

Conduct a study with focus on various livestock diseases  using PE methods

Able to document information captured on questionnaires for PE ,  summarize and present the data.

Carry out post mortem on an animal and collect, pack and transport samples safely to diagnostic laboratories.

Act as a focal point on livestock diseases in the respective sub-counties and report any outbreak to the SCVO, CDVS and VSF Germany for onward reporting to DVS.

3.0 The Products of the Consultancy

Training manual for training on PE

Review of the various livestock diseases and how PE can be applied in their investigations and control (topics and time) for the PE.

15 participants from the State Department of Veterinary Services in Marsabit County trained on processes and applications of participatory epidemiology.

Summary of a training report (2 signed hard copies and soft copy) and recommendations for follow-up available not later than 31^stJune 2015.

Handouts of reference materials provided to 15 participants.

4.0 Location and Timing

The training will take place in Marsabit town from Thursday 8th – 17^th June 2015.

The duration of the workshop is 10 days. In addition there are 2 travel days and 5 days for preparation for training and reporting (preparing lesson plans, handouts and final report).

5.  RESPONSIBILITIES

Training facilities; venue, LCD projector, writing materials, will be availed by VSFG as necessary.

Training Materials/Reference copies to be provided by the trainers.

Transport, food and accommodation for the facilitator will be covered by the VSF Germany.

6. LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

To be provided by the MoALFD of Marsabit County.

7. Required Expertise

The consultant must meet the following minimum requirements and qualifications:

At least Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine, Public Health or any other livestock related qualification with proven experience participatory epidemiology.

Certification as a trainer in Participatory Epidemiology from a recognized institution.

Proven solid experience of disease surveillance work in the Greater Horn of Africa, in particular and in clear understanding of livestock health issues in ASAL areas of Kenya.

Past experience of working in Marsabit County would be an added advantage.

Previous and/or current experience in similar assignment with Government of Kenya and/or NGO preferred

Experience of working in an environment with multi-stakeholders implementing coordination, collaboration and joint planning.

Experience in donor reporting standards and guidelines

Good knowledge and experience in community resilience building

Excellent analytical, presentation and writing skills

Experience in qualitative data gathering and analysis.

8.0 Application

Interested persons/firms should send their application as follows;

Cover later,

Technical proposal outlining methods and tools to be used in the training

Financial Proposal  

Work plan for the consultancy period; showing how available time will be utilized.

Updated CV of the consultant(s) or a profile of the firm plus CVs of the experts who will do the training.

Addressed to the head of Hr and Admin, VSF- Germany, viaEmail:admin_hr@vsfg.org and copy sabara@vsfg.orgbefore Monday 4^th May 2015 at 5:00am