ADM | In collaboration with Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) endorses Abu Dhabi–Mongolia scientific twinning programme to advance global camel research In a strategic move that reinforces the status of Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a global reference hub for camel research and diagnostics, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has endorsed a scientific twinning programme.
This partnership links the WOAH Collaborating Centre for Camel Diseases, under the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), with the State Central Veterinary Laboratory (SCVL) of Mongolia. The strategic objective of the twinning programme is to qualify Mongolia’s SCVL to become a regional reference centre for camel diseases, serving Mongolia and Central Asia under the direct supervision of the ADAFSA’s WOAH Collaborating Centre.
The programme encompasses extensive knowledge transfer through specialised technical modules, including standardised necropsy protocols for camels, clinical sampling methods, viral isolation, bacterial culture (specifically Brucella), serological testing (ELISA), ectoparasite identification, diagnostic reagent production, and biobank management.
The programme further covers advanced molecular diagnostics, including the detection of broad-spectrum Pan-Coronaviruses and genomic sequencing of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). On the governance front, it supports the development of quality management systems in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017, and prepares the Mongolian facility for ISO/IEC 17043:2023 accreditation as proficiency testing (PT) providers.
This will enable the laboratory to participate in international standardisation tests organised by ADAFSA, particularly in the diagnosis of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Brucella. On the epidemiological level, the programme strengthens Mongolia’s ability to monitor emerging and zoonotic diseases by developing and implementing surveillance protocols in the field.
This collaboration includes a comprehensive epidemiological survey to assess the prevalence of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and MERS-CoV in Bactrian (two-humped) camels, involving joint field missions for sample collection, data processing, and publication of the findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
ADAFSA affirmed that this collaboration reflects the UAE’s commitment to support international One Health efforts and foster scientific partnerships to limit the spread of transboundary animal diseases. The authority noted that transferring technical expertise to Mongolia will mark a qualitative shift in their research capabilities, enhancing global readiness to manage high-risk zoonotic diseases, including high‑risk viruses such as MERS‑CoV and FMD.
This project builds on the international achievements of ADAFSA’s Collaborating Centre for Camel Diseases, most notably the first detection of the Wesselsbron virus in diseased camels in Ethiopia in early 2025. The findings were published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, the journal of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), further strengthening the UAE’s global leadership in camel research.
