Adafsa Gets First Global Accreditation For Camel Diseases

Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office 

The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has achieved something that no one else in the world has done before. It has received a special international accreditation called ISO/IEC 17043:2023. This accreditation is for proficiency testing in camel disease diagnostics. It means ADAFSA has become the first organisation in the world to be officially recognised for its high standards in testing how well laboratories can diagnose diseases in camels.

Who Gave This Accreditation?

This accreditation was given to ADAFSA by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). UKAS is a very important international body that checks if organisations meet strict global standards. Before giving this accreditation, UKAS ensured that ADAFSA met all the difficult and detailed international requirements needed to be the best in this field.

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Why Is This Accreditation Important?

This global accreditation proves that ADAFSA is highly skilled in offering proficiency testing services. Proficiency testing is like checking if laboratories are doing their work correctly. In the case of camel diseases, it means testing if laboratories can correctly identify diseases in camels. When labs are tested and improved, it ensures that animals get the right treatment and care.

This accreditation will help in:

• Improving the accuracy and efficiency of camel disease diagnostics.

• Making sure that laboratories all over the world follow the same high standards when testing for camel diseases.

• Bridging gaps in the measurement programmes that are required for such specialised diagnostics.

About ADAFSA’s Biosecurity Affairs Division

Along with this accreditation, ADAFSA’s Biosecurity Affairs Division has also been doing very important work. This division is internationally recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). WOAH has called ADAFSA’s Biosecurity Affairs Division a Collaborating Centre for Camel Diseases and a Collaborating Centre for Quality Management Systems.

New Programme for Fighting Camel Diseases

Recently, the Biosecurity Affairs Division started the world’s first proficiency programme to check how well laboratories can detect antibodies for Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in camels.

What Is Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR)?

• PPR is a serious disease that mainly affects small animals like goats and sheep. However, it has also been found in camels.

• It is caused by a virus and can spread quickly.

• This disease can lead to high death rates in animals, affecting farmers and food security.

The new programme by ADAFSA will help in:

• Evaluating the efficiency of laboratories in detecting PPR antibodies in camels.

• Improving validation processes for the diagnostic kits used to detect these antibodies.

• Supporting global efforts to control, combat, and finally eradicate this dangerous disease.

How Does This Help the World?

This programme is the first of its kind in the world. It means ADAFSA is not only helping the UAE but also supporting other countries’ laboratories to improve their testing abilities. When labs around the world can test better, it helps in early detection, treatment, and control of diseases like PPR. This protects animal health, farmers’ incomes, and food supply chains.

ADAFSA’s Commitment to Quality

ADAFSA has always worked hard to help both national and international laboratories. Their aim is to make sure that camel diseases are diagnosed correctly and efficiently. By doing this, ADAFSA:

• Ensures high-quality results globally.

• Helps in the development of precise diagnostic methods.

• Supports farmers, veterinary doctors, and animal health workers to keep camels healthy.

ADAFSA’s Global Leadership

With this new accreditation, ADAFSA has now achieved a total of 15 global certifications. Each certification proves its capability in different areas of food safety and animal health. This strengthens ADAFSA’s position as a leader in food security and animal disease control, especially in camel diseases.

It also shows that ADAFSA is a trusted scientific reference centre that others can rely on for knowledge, training, and expertise in camel diseases.

About the Collaborating Centre for Camel Diseases

ADAFSA’s Collaborating Centre for Camel Diseases was established in May 2022 and is recognised by WOAH. This centre is a very important place for studying and diagnosing camel diseases. Its main roles are:

• Diagnosing camel diseases with advanced technologies.

• Conducting research to learn more about these diseases and how to treat or prevent them.

• Training experts and veterinarians from different countries to improve their knowledge and skills.

The centre works closely with international institutions to exchange knowledge and research findings. This helps in fighting camel diseases not just in the UAE but worldwide.

How Will This Accreditation Help UAE?

This achievement further strengthens Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s position as a leading hub for animal health and biosecurity. The UAE is already known for its strong policies in food safety and animal health. With this accreditation:

• The UAE will become a global leader in camel disease diagnostics.

• More countries will seek help from ADAFSA to train their laboratories and improve their diagnostic programmes.

• The UAE’s reputation in scientific research and international health standards will continue to grow.

ADAFSA has made the UAE proud by becoming the first organisation in the world to get such an important accreditation in camel disease diagnostics. Their hard work is not only benefiting the UAE but is also helping many countries around the world fight dangerous animal diseases like PPR. By improving laboratory testing and diagnostic services, ADAFSA is ensuring that camels, which are a very important part of life and culture in the UAE and many other countries, remain healthy and protected.

This achievement shows ADAFSA’s dedication, expertise, and leadership in the field of animal health. It proves that when organisations work with commitment and follow strict international standards, they can become global leaders and set examples for others to follow.