Parasites are a major cause of animal morbidity and mortality in Africa. Ectoparasites and endoparasites of livestock are among the diseases with the highest negative impact on the livelihood of resource poor farmers and some are classified as neglected zoonosis. However, a wide range of factors limit the effective control of those diseases. These factors include: gaps in scientific knowledge (e.g. epidemiology, resistance, the impacts of climate change), poor availability of control means (e.g., drug/vaccine/diagnosis development, regulation, delivery), availability of facilities or equipment (e.g. diagnostic equipment), weak veterinary support, or the availability of an appropriate sustainable conceptual framework (incorporating appropriate indigenous technology).

WAAVP- AFRICA Network aims to overcome these challenges by promoting and supporting a sustainable network of African scientists, researchers, funders, farmers and policy makers to address the challenges in veterinary parasitology in sub-Saharan Africa.

• WAAVP-AN will help members to forge new links and consolidate existing ones to provide the collaborative, multidisciplinary approach essential for tackling parasite mediated disease in animals continent-wide.
• WAAVP-AN will help members to connect member expertise and facilitate global discussions in veterinary parasitology.
• WAAVP-AN will provide guidance and expert recommendations for decision making in veterinary parasitology in Africa, inform on the specificity of African species and epidemiology in parasiticide guidelines.
• WAAVP Africa will support veterinary services and para-veterinary professionals or animal health solution providers.
• A key objective will be to help network members to successfully apply for research funding.
• The network will also run a series of events, including scientific meetings, seminars, policy workshops and networking events in Africa.
• WAAVP-AN will be strongly committed to transboundary collaboration to connect existing initiatives in veterinary parasitology.
• Throughout its activities, WAAVP-AN will be fully committed to ensuring that women and early career parasitologists are fully represented and supported by the network’s initiatives.

Patrick Vudriko & Ayo Majekodunmi

Co-chairs (WAAVP-AN)