Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with the Сommittee for Veterinary and Livestock Development (CVLD) under Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Agriculture, organized a comprehensive training to tackle brucellosis.

The training is part of the FAO/USAID Global Health Security initiative to strengthen animal and human health, improve antimicrobial resistance measures, and prevent zoonotic diseases in Uzbekistan.

Brucellosis is an infectious disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans through the  digestive and respiratory tracts and through broken skin. The bacteria causing brucellosis, Brucella, is highly resilient.  It can survive up to one and a half years in frozen meat, up to 30 days in raw and undercooked meat, up to 15 to 40 days in certain cheeses, and up to 3 to 4 days in milk. The bacteria’s durability makes it a frequently registered disease in humans. 

Participants in the training included staff from the CVLD, the Veterinary Scientific Research Institute, laboratory specialists, and veterinary epidemiologists from the Republic of Karakalpakstan.  They enhanced their understanding of brucellosis and learned about prevention through immunization.  The hands-on portion of the seminar took place at a cattle and sheep farm in the Tashkent region where participants engaged in blood sampling, disease control, and risk assessments.

The training greatly improves the ability of local experts to manage and control disease outbreaks.  By equipping veterinarians with advanced knowledge and practical skills, FAO, USAID, and their local partners are contributing to a safer and healthier environment for both animals and humans in the region. The successful implementation of such initiatives not only mitigates the risks associated with brucellosis, but also strengthens overall health security across Uzbekistan.