ALPHA Project update

1. An overview of the project

At present I am working on several projects as part of vHive. First includes the write up (and any remaining analysis) of manuscripts for studies under the ALPHA project. This includes several studies on poultry health and disease in Nigeria and systematic literature reviews.
Secondly, I am involved in the administration and project management of the development of a new master’s course run by Cairo University, Egypt, in collaboration with the University of Surrey and Zoetis.
Finally, I am investigating the use of social media using online surveys for epidemiological studies of disease.

2. What is the challenge you are/were hoping to change?

We hope that the information obtained may identify research gaps for future studies and help develop solutions for effective disease control.
Additionally, to improve capacity for training of veterinary professionals in Egypt and the surrounding areas.

3. What has been done so far?

Several of the studies under the ALPHA project have been published in peer-reviewed journals, while some are under consideration.
The master’s course in under development, with the first cohort of students to start in 2022.

4. Outcomes of the project?

Manuscripts:

• Knowledge, attitudes and practices of veterinarians towards antimicrobial resistance and stewardship in Nigeria, Adekanye et al., 2020
• Small ruminant production in Tanzania, Uganda & Ethiopia: a systematic review of constraints and potential solutions, Armson et al., 2021
• A Review of the Current Status of Peste des Petits Ruminants Epidemiology in Small Ruminants in Tanzania, Idoga et al., 2020
• Antibiotic use practices of veterinarians and para-veterinarians and the implications for antibiotic stewardship in Nigeria, Ogwuche, A. et al 2021
• Evaluating disease threats to sustainable poultry production in Africa: Newcastle disease, infectious bursal disease, and avian infectious bronchitis in commercial poultry flocks in Kano and Oyo states, Nigeria, Ekiri et al. 2021
• A Survey of Priority Livestock Diseases and Laboratory Diagnostic Needs of Animal Health Professionals and Farmers in Uganda, Vudriko et al. 2021

ALPHA outcomes

• Year 4 ALPHA progress video