Ecoworld | ORIENT. Camel biosecurity in Central Asia is reaching a new scientific level. The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) has approved a three-year cooperation program between the UAE and Mongolia, aimed at establishing a regional reference laboratory for camel disease diagnostics in the region.

The project, scheduled to run until 2028, will link the ADAFSA Collaborating Center (Abu Dhabi) with the Central Veterinary Laboratory of Mongolia. Experts from the UAE will help their colleagues implement international standards (ISO) and train staff in the latest methods for detecting dangerous infections, including brucellosis, foot-and-mouth disease, and the MERS-CoV virus.

For Central Asian countries, including Turkmenistan, where camel breeding is an important part of the agro-industrial complex, the creation of such a regional scientific hub is of great importance. The program includes field epidemiology: developing surveillance plans for emerging infections; comparative analysis: unique studies comparing immune responses in dromedary and Bactrian camels; and early detection: developing risk prediction systems that will protect livestock from transboundary threats.

The initiative is being implemented within the framework of the global "One Health" concept. Given the recent discovery of Wesselsbron virus in camels in Africa, the international community is striving to create a reliable shield in Central Asia to prevent the spread of zoonotic threats to both animals and humans. Strengthening laboratory capacity in Mongolia, with the support of the UAE, will allow veterinary services across the region to more quickly exchange data and utilize advanced, world-class diagnostic reagents.