Purposes and Objectives of An Interregional Programme
by A. Seimenis, DVM

Preamble

The close contact of a large part of the human population with animals, plus the consumption of animal products such as unpasteurised milk and dairy products; changes in nutritional habits; the continuous intensification of animal production and international trade of animals and animal products; the rising number of stray and wild carnivores; illegal slaughtering of animals and inappropriate waste disposal practices are the main responsible factors for the emergence and re-emergence of zoonotic infections world-wide and in particular within the countries of the above-mentioned regions.

Decades ago, the affected countries realised that zoonotic diseases, such as brucellosis, echinococcosis, leishmaniasis, rabies and related foodborne diseases could not be efficiently controlled or eliminated if prevention, surveillance and control activities were carried out by them in isolation. Among other factors, the timely exchange between countries of reliable information on disease occurrence, sustained inter-country technical co-operation, harmonisation of surveillance and control strategies and legislation together with intersectoral collaboration and co-ordination are essential for the success of national programmes for zoonoses prevention, surveillance and control. Moreover, strong international organizations support is also required.

This situation was first addressed by the World Health Organization's Member States at the 31st World Health Assembly held in 1978. A resolution on the "Prevention and Control of Zoonoses and Foodborne Diseases due to Animal Products" was then endorsed. Following the adoption of this resolution, WHO created the Mediterranean Zoonoses Control Programme (MZCP). For the co-ordination and implementation of the activities of the Programme, the Mediterranean Zoonoses Control Centre (MZCC) was established in 1979 in Athens, Greece.

The MZCP is supervised by the Department of Communicable Diseases Surveillance and Response at WHO Headquarters, Geneva, and closely collaborates with the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt, specialised WHO, FAO and OIE Collaborating Centres and the MZCP network of National Participating Institutions. Moreover, it maintains close relationships with the International Office of Epizootics (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO/UN).

Objectives of the Programme

Participating and Associated Countries

The MZCP/Joint Co-ordinating Committee

The Mediterranean Zoonoses Control Centre

• Planning and conducting training courses
• Organising seminars, workshops, conferences, expert consultations
• Organising individual or group training in laboratory diagnosis procedures
• Planning and co-ordinating research projects
• Publishing and distributing educational and informative material
• Co-ordinating epidemiological surveillance activities
• Fostering intersectoral co-operation between public health and veterinary services
• Promoting public health education
• Maintaining close co-operation with international organizations
• Exchange of information, etc.

Benefits by Joining the MZCP

The need for a region-wide approach to combat against zoonotic and foodborne diseases led the MZCP to the promotion and implementation of training programmes involving medical and veterinary staff from as many as possible countries of the Mediterranean and Middle East regions.

In this regard, two main categories of activities are included in the MZCP plan of work:

1. inter-country training courses on high priority regional subjects
2. national training courses on subjects selected by the Member Countries, according to their own priorities

The activities of group (1) apply to trainees nominated by their respective Member Countries and are selected in collaboration with the WHO/MZCC. They are organized under the complete responsibility of the Centre in co-operation with its collaborating institutions.

The activities of group (2) aim at the training of national staff (mainly physicians and veterinarians) at national and district levels. The role of the MZCP in these cases would be to provide support to the Member-countries that will have expressed their wish to organise training seminars.

The NTCs are based on intersectoral principles with the participation of all parties involved in the implementation of zoonoses' prevention and control activities such as the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Health, and other relevant administrations, at central and district levels, academic institutions, veterinary and medical associations, industry, etc.

MZCP Membership

Conclusions

1. Close co-operation among countries, supported by international technical co-operation, is essential as zoonoses and related foodborne diseases cannot be prevented and controlled in isolation.
2. Intersectoral collaboration and co-ordination are among the basic principles that the MZCP promotes.
3. The MZCP activities are sources of current information, and provide specific guidance leading to an appropriate approach of the problems encountered.
4. Training and updating of the public health and animal health staff are among the key tools supported by the MZCP.
5. It is a non-bureaucratic and flexible organization and of immediate response to the requests of its Member States, closely collaborating with other major international organizations.
6. The MZCP contributes, in association with other international organizations, to the public health and socio-economic improvement in the area.