Around the world Posted on 2020-07-06 15:42:09
Network initiatives
Global African Swine Fever Research Alliance (GARA)
‘Fighting African Swine Fever Together’
Keywords
Authors
Cyril G. Gay, Senior National Program Leader, Animal Production and Protection, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Beltsville, Maryland, United States of America.
The designations and denominations employed and the presentation of the material in this article do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the OIE concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers and boundaries.
The views expressed in this article are solely the responsibility of the author(s). The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by the OIE in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.
The Global African Swine Fever Research Alliance (GARA) was launched in April 2013, at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, in response to the continued threat posed by ASF to pig farmers worldwide. The aim of GARA is to establish and sustain global research partnerships that will generate scientific knowledge and tools to contribute to the successful prevention, control, and, where feasible, eradication of ASF. This objective can be achieved through six strategic goals:
- Goal 1. Identify research opportunities and facilitate collaborations within the Alliance
- Goal 2. Conduct strategic and multidisciplinary research to better understand ASF
- Goal 3. Determine the social and economic drivers and impacts of ASF
- Goal 4. Develop novel and improved tools to support the prevention and control of ASF
- Goal 5. Determine the impact of ASF prevention and control tools
- Goal 6. Serve as a communication and technology-sharing gateway for the global ASF research community and stakeholders.
Today, GARA consists of 38 partner research institutions working together to fight the threat of ASF. The Alliance maintains the GARA website to facilitate communication and provide technical information. One of GARA’s most important initiatives is the series of biennial ASF Gap Analysis workshops it organises; for example, an ASF Gap Analysis Workshop in Sardinia, Italy, April 2018.
The report from this workshop was instrumental in setting the research agenda and activities of the Alliance. Importantly, this report also provides information on the gaps in the scientific information and tools available for controlling ASF, as well as a list of research priorities for addressing those gaps. This information is critical in guiding stakeholders and funding agencies, and in the establishment of strategic research collaborations within GARA. Examples of important stakeholders who are supporting the work of GARA include the International Research Consortium on Animal Health (STAR–IDAZ IRC) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
As ASF continues to spread around the world we must not forget that the origin of this devastating animal disease is Africa, where the ASF virus continues to evolve in complex ecological settings. Today, the focus seems to be primarily on the Georgia 2007 ASF virus strain, which is still spreading across Asia. However, could another strain with different characteristics once again escape from Africa? This will be a key topic at the next GARA scientific meeting in Kampala, Uganda, 25–27 August 2020.
| GARA website |
