USAID's Key Achievements

	A fellow at the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) in Uganda uses a field outbreak investigation kit provided with support from USAID. Source: AFENET

Africa field network responds to disease outbreaks.

The African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), established in 2005 with support from USAID, provided critical assistance in disease surveillance and response in Africa. AFENET members investigated and responded to urgent disease outbreaks, including, among others, Rift Valley fever in Kenya and Tanzania, avian influenza in Ghana, and Marburg hemorrhagic fever in Uganda. AFENET also developed and distributed outbreak investigation laboratory kits to Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe to facilitate timely laboratory diagnosis of suspected disease outbreaks.

AFENET assists training programs.

The demand for field epidemiology and laboratory training programs (FELTPs) is increasing rapidly as countries recognize critical human resource gaps in infectious disease surveillance and response. AFENET provided technical assistance to eight countries1 to develop FELTPs. These programs are the only competency-based applied epidemiology training programs in Africa and are a critical resource for ministries of health. Nigeria’s program developed integrated training in animal and human health, the first FELTP in Africa to do so. This innovative approach will serve as a model for other countries for facilitating more effective and efficient ways to address emerging zoonotic infectious diseases.

Pakistan training expands.

The USAID-supported FELTP in Pakistan expanded its comprehensive approach to improve capacity within the Ministry of Health in epidemiology, public health surveillance and response, public laboratories, and information systems for surveillance. Trainees play an essential role in investigating disease outbreaks. The program is also overseeing an expansion of a public health laboratory network.

Health staff receive training in integrated disease surveillance and response.

USAID supported training for district health staff in 43 countries in Africa; 33 of these countries had conducted training in at least 60 percent of their health districts by 2007. In addition, 14 countries had introduced integrated disease surveillance and response into their national health training institutions.

USAID helps fight dengue in Bolivia.

USAID supported efforts to control outbreaks of dengue fever in regions of Bolivia affected by flooding. Support included capacity building for surveillance, destroying mosquito breeding sites, and controlling adult mosquitoes; information and communications targeting households
and communities; and training and equipment. Activities in Beni departamento served nearly 13,000 households and 90,000 residents. In Santa Cruz, mobile teams visited more than 136,000 households, and the infestation rate was reduced by nearly half, from 26 to 15 percent.