AU-IBAR pushes for stronger animal health data systems at Nairobi workshop

Speaking during the opening of a regional training workshop on the Animal Resources Information System (ARIS) in Nairobi, Dr Mary Mbole-Kariuki, representing AU-IBAR Director Dr Huyam Salih, said quality data remains critical in combating transboundary animal diseases affecting the continent.

The workshop has brought together experts from Eastern, Southern and selected West African countries for advanced training on ARIS, a continental platform used for livestock and animal health information management.

The training is being conducted under the European Union-funded Pan-African Programme for the Eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR).

Dr Kariuki said diseases such as PPR, foot-and-mouth disease, lumpy skin disease, avian influenza and rabies continue to threaten food security, trade and livelihoods across Africa.

“To address these challenges, we need vaccines, strong veterinary services, effective laboratories and regional coordination. But we also need another fundamental pillar that is sometimes less visible, yet absolutely decisive: data,” she said.

She stressed that poor-quality data weakens surveillance systems and affects the ability of governments to make informed decisions.

“Without quality data, there can be no effective surveillance, no sound planning, no proper prioritisation, no efficient allocation of resources and no meaningful assessment of progress made,” Dr Kariuki said.

According to her, ARIS was developed to help African countries improve how they manage information on animal resources and disease outbreaks.

“ARIS is not simply a data-entry tool. The ARIS ecosystem is an instrument of information governance. It is an analytical tool, a coordination tool and above all a decision-support tool,” she stated.

Dr Kariuki further challenged participants to champion a culture of data quality within their national systems.

“We must go beyond simple data entry. We must build a culture of data quality and ensure that this culture takes root sustainably within national systems,” she said.

She told participants they were expected to become national resource persons and help strengthen surveillance and reporting systems upon returning to their countries.

World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Director-General Dr Neo Mapitse said robust information systems are essential in improving global animal health security and coordinated responses to disease outbreaks.

EU Programme Manager for Kenya Charles Muteithia said timely and accurate data remains vital for early disease detection and protecting livelihoods.

Participants attending the workshop are expected to strengthen national systems and improve responses to major animal diseases across the continent.