About Us

Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise (IZSAM), supported by the Italian Ministry of Health and in partnership with the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno (IZSM), the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata (IZSPB), the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia (IZSSI) and the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte-Liguria-Valle D’Aosta (IZSPLV), launched in 2019 the “Enhancing Research for Africa Network – ERFAN” to strengthen cooperation between African and Italian Veterinary Services, promote research and enhance capacities for the prevention and diagnosis of critical animal diseases, including zoonoses.

Save the date: Kick-off meeting for Southern Africa, Gaborne, Botswana, 23-24 June  2026 Save the date: Kick-off meeting for Southern Africa, Gaborne, Botswana, 23-24 June  2026  Save the date: Kick-off meeting for Southern Africa, Gaborne, Botswana, 23-24 June  2026 Save the date: Kick-off meeting for Southern Africa, Gaborne, Botswana, 23-24 June  2026 

ERFAN 1

The first activity cycle

During the first activity cycle – concluded in April 2024 – ERFAN involved 31 African (17 Northern, 14 Southern) and 7 Italian veterinary institutions, representing, in total, 20 countries: a network that has grown over the years, laying the foundations for mutual trust, increased knowledge and skills, and collaborative research projects in veterinary public health.

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Veterinary Institutions
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Member Countries
Africa & Italy

A cross-continental partnership

Achievements

Improving diagnostic capacities through networking activities

  • Working groups:
    50 online meetings (301 participants), 20 face-to-face meetings (250 participants)

  • SOPs and protocols:
    47 shared procedures, reference materials produced for CBPP and Brucellosis diagnosis

  • Interlaboratory tests:
    3 proficiency tests organised (Brucella CVL Harare, CBPP BNVL Gaborone, WND IZS Teramo)

Pillar 1

Capacity buildings through training and technology transfer

  • Elearning:
    44 courses, 2869 participants from 30 countries, 23 scientific topics covered, 144 training days, 483 hours, 109 lecturers, 22 online dialogues in asynchronous mode

  • Residential training:
    8 courses, 86 participants, a total of 60 institutions and 36 countries involved

Pillar 2

Institutional capacity Building through research programs

  • Research projects:
    32 proposals submitted to the Secretariat, 4 Small Scale Research Projects directly funded (12 institutions involved, 2 WOAH RC committed, 11 countries)

  • Doctorates and masters:
    5 doctorates/masters funded, 14 institutions involved, 4 RC WOAH engaged, 12 countries participating

  • Funding opportunities:
    43 opportunities presented

Pillar 3

ERFAN 2

The second activity cycle

To consolidate the significant results achieved thus far and to take further strategic steps forward, ERFAN partners decided to promote a second three-year activity cycle (ERFAN II), involving also another Italian veterinary institution: the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER).