> BackgroundThe rapid and widespread occurrence of animal diseases, such as highly pathogenic avian in-fluenza (HPAI), has highlighted the need for a global approach to disease prevention and con-trol. Considering the current level of global mo-vement and the trade of live animals and animal products, an outbreak of infectious diseases in a given area could have effects on a global scale.

To effectively control infectious diseases, early diagnosis is necessary, this is only possible if centres of expertise and aboratories use stan-dardised procedures and tests.Given that the OIE Reference Centres provi-de expertise and diagnostic capacity mainly in Europe and economically developed countries, the OIE promotes the extension of the veteri-nary services and the network of laboratories to other areas that may lack the necessary exper-tise and diagnostic capacity.

> activitiesThe OIE twinning projects provide both parties with the opportunity to develop expertise and to establish a close working relationship. During a twinning project, the staff of the candidate la-boratory takes part in the activities of the OIE Reference Laboratory for medium-long periods of time, allowing them to improve their skills in diagnostic techniques and laboratory-manage-ment practices.

> What is a tWinning?Twinning projects aim to establish and sustain the exchange of knowledge, partnerships, ideas and experiences between an OIE Reference Laboratory and a candidate laboratory. These projects are used by the OIE as a means for upgrading the quality and level of expertise of laboratories in so-called “developing” and “in transition” countries (120 countries – 72% of the OIE Member Countries) and are part of the wider OIE initiative to improve the capabilities of veterinary services.

acknowledgements:

> iZsve tWinning projects - What We have done As an OIE Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza (AI) and Newcastle disease (NDV), the IZSVe has participated as a parent laboratory in:February 2007 – February 2008: twinning with Fgi-arriah, Federal Centre for Animal Health, Vladimir (Russia). One of the main outcomes of the project was the involvement in the GISAID initiative using this database to share sequence information on Russian H5N1 HPAI isolates, the exchange of viruses between the two laboratories and the performance of a Ring Test on panels of blind samples performed by FGI-Arriah.

This was the first OIE twinning project.october 2008 – october 2010: twinning with censa National Center for Animal and Plant Health, La Habana (Cuba). The institute focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and control of viral diseases that affect economically important animal species. Scope of the twinning is the evaluation of specific protocols for the detection of type A and H5 AI viruses of Ame-rican lineage and the development of standard controls to be used in molecular tests.

Four member staff of each laboratory spent a 4-week training period at IZSVe. The activities were organized on the basis of tailored programmes based on the requests of the candidate laboratory and on the OIE guidelines aiming at upgrading capabilities in diagnostic procedures for biomolecular and classic techniques for AI. Both theoretical and practical sessions in the laboratory were held, and weekly meetings with laboratory staff were organized to discuss the work in progress and evaluate in-depth specific topics related to the project. The training periods were followed by assessment mission to eva-luate the improved capability of the Candidate laboratory and explore further possibilities of collaboration. The projects are closed with a final workshop to present the results and the future developments of the partnership.

> tWinning projects – What’s next? Currently, the OIE/ FAO Reference laboratory at IZSVe is working on two new twinning projects to be presented to the OIE Biological Standards Commission for final approval.

•

•

oie laboratory twinning projects

Twinning – an integral concept to capacity building for the improvement of veterinary service

Twinning between the laboratories of IZSVe (OIE/FAO and National Refe-rence Laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease) - Italy and FGI-ARRIAH – Russian Federation to strengthen and sharing expertise

and experience on Avian Influenza managing and control.

OIE Twinning Project 2008for Avian Influenza

Legnaro (Italy) - Vladimir (Russian Federation)

Международное Эпизоотическое Бюро (OIE)

Леньаро (Италья) – Владимир (Российская Федерация)Птичий Грипп Проэкт Партнёрства 2008

Партнёрства – это понятие, которое является неотьемлимой частью расширения способностей по улучшению ветеринарного

обслуживания

Партнёрства между лабораториями IZSVe (Национальная Референс Лаборатория Птичьего гриппа и болезни Ньюкасла) - Италия и ФГУ (Федеральный Центр охраны здоровья животных) - Российская Федерация для укрепления и обмена оперативным опытом и мнениями

для управления и контрола над Птичим Гриппом.

Twinning – an integral concept to capacity building for the improvement of veterinary service

Twinning between the laboratories of IZSVe (OIE/FAO and National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease)

- Italy and CENSA – Cuba to strenghten and share expertise and experience on Avian Influenza managing and control.

OIE Twinning Project 2009for Avian Influenza

Legnaro (Italy) - San Josè de las Lajas (La Habana, Cuba)

OIE Proyecto de Hermanamiento 2009

Legnaro (Padova, Italy) – San Josè de las Lajas (La Habana, Cuba)Por la Influenza Aviar

Hermanamiento – un concepto esencial para la construcción de capacidades y la mejora de los servicios veterinarios.

Hermanamiento entre los laboratorios de IZSVe - Italia (centro de referencia OIE/FAO y Nacional por la Influenza Aviar

y la Enfermedad de Newcastle) y CENSA - Cuba para consolidar y compartir maestría y experiencia en el manejo y control de la influenza aviar.

OIE/FAO and National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle DiseaseOIE and National Collaborating Centre for Diseases at the Human-Animal Interface

Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy

Nadia Micoli

Maria Serena Beato