News

An important unique example of One Health in ACTION...

 

International Laboratory on Vector Borne Diseases Established in West Africa

 

 

“The LAMIVECT (Laboratoire mixte international sur les maladies à vecteurs”, or international laboratory on vector-borne diseases) Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso) was born in May 2011. It gathers the main actors on research, training and control of vector borne diseases which are: CIRDES (“Centre International de Recherche Développement sur l’Elevage en zone Subhumide”), IRSS-Muraz (“Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé”), and the University of Bobo-Dioulasso (UPB). Two research units from the health department of IRD (Institute of Research for Development, a public French Institute) have researchers based for long duration stays (2 to 4 years) in Bobo-Dioulasso: INTERTRYP unit, which works on Trypanosomes and has researchers and collaborative programs based in CIRDES. MIVEGEC unit works on malaria and other vector borne diseases and has researchers and collaborative programs based at IRSS. This represents collaborative work between veterinarians, physicians, molecular biologists, entomologists, parasitologists, geographs, totalising 50 people (25 PhD researchers, 15 students, 10 technicians).

 

The main research questions and objectives are similar for malaria and trypanosomiases, as well as for other vector borne diseases such as dengue, leishmaniasis, tick borne diseases etc. Moreover, in many instances the methods and tools used by these research teams to address these questions are similar or complementary. Master and PhD students from the UPB are trained by these teams, and co-supervision is common.

 

The creation of this international laboratory is a first, timely step in the structuring of research, training, and control on infectious diseases and their vectors on the site of Bobo-Dioulasso, historically known for its involvement in the control of the “grandes endémies”. LAMIVECT will foster collaborative interactions between UPB, the two research centers, and the scientists from IRD towards the development of a unique and renowned center for research and training on vector borne diseases of medical and veterinary importance in West Africa.”

 

Provided to One Health Initiative website by Dr. Philippe Solano:

 

Philippe Solano, PhD

Director of Research

IRD, UMR IRD-CIRAD INTERTRYP

CIRDES, 01 BP 454, Bobo-Dioulasso

Burkina Faso, Africa

philippe.solano@ird.fr

tel: +226 20 98 51 94