Ignacio Moriyón (Microbiology, University of Navarra) and José María Blasco (research center y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón) together with veterinarians and technicians from Mozambique. PHOTO: Courtesy.

- Diario de Navarra 22.09.2010 (pdf)

Professors from department of Microbiology at the University of Navarra have been working this summer on the continuation of project 'Integrated Control of Neglected Zoonoses' (ICONZ), which includes the study and control of brucellosis in several African countries. This initiative is promoted by the EU and involves the collaboration of 18 European and African universities and laboratories.

The research team prepared a practical website theory course to diagnose and type the Brucella bacteria, and to train veterinarians in Mozambique: "We intend to teach these professionals to detect the disease in animals and to use modern vaccination techniques. In addition, in the coming months we will try to determine the prevalence of the disease in pilot areas," explains Professor Ignacio Moriyón.

For this purpose, this microbiologist traveled to the African country together with José María Blasco, veterinarian at quotation (research center y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón), with whom he also designed the continuation of the study for next year. "In the spring of 2011 we will start a vaccination campaign in these pilot areas," says the expert in neglected zoonoses.

Simpler and cheaper vaccines
The professor of Microbiology at the University of Navarra says that part of project is to facilitate disease control with simpler and cheaper vaccination methods: "We try to teach sensible things to people who can do something in these countries, adaptations of applications that we use in developed countries, but that can be used where there are hardly any material means". "Their limitations are very great. The center where we have been had, for example, one of the few laminar flow cabinets in the country," adds the expert. "A necessary device to work with Brucella and that in any university can be counted by dozens," he adds.
The project ICONZ, which is supported by Caja Navarra's 'You choose, you decide' program, has already allowed Professor Moriyón to travel to Morocco, Uganda and Nigeria to carry out similar actions.

"ICONZ's objectives also include determining the economic burden and human suffering caused by these zoonoses; researching new low-cost methods of diagnosis and detection; providing training to decision-makers in affected countries; and transferring the necessary technology so that the tools can be applied," concludes Moriyón.

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