Objective

The overall goal of the program is to mitigate the impact of novel high-consequence pathogens from animals through: (i) new disease threats detected early; (ii) national-level preparedness and response to new threats enhanced through effective inter-sectoral collaboration and partnerships; and (iii) risk of disease emergence reduced by minimizing practices and behaviours that trigger the spill-over and spread of new pathogens. The programme enabled the country to strengthen the capacity of animal health system to prevent, detect and respond to endemic, emerging and reemerging zoonotic diseases, specifically highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and Middle East respiratory syndrome corona virus (MERS-CoV).