On Zoonoses Research
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16835 PAN AMERICAN HEALTH SECOND MEETING ORGANIZATION U. ut (UDj) 17-21 June 1963 '1-, Washington, D.C. ADVISORY. COMMITTEE ON MEDICAL RESEARCH s Tr, I REPORT OF THE PAHO ADVISORY GROUP ON ZOONOSES RESEARCH File Copy Pan American Sanitary Bureau Library OCT 2 1 1963 Ref: RES 2/1 14 December 1962 PAN AMERICAN HEALTH ORGANIZATION Pan American Sanitary Bureau, Regional Office of the WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION WASHINGTON, D.C. o RES 2/1 PAHO ADVISORY GROUP ON ZOONOSES RES.iARCH Dr. G. D. Cummings Dr. Donald J. Dean Director Veterinary Consultant Division of Laboratories New York State Department of Health Michigan Department of Health Albany, New York Lansing, Michigan Dr. Hernando Groot* Director del Laboratorio Instituto Carlos Finlay Bogotá, Colombia *Present address: Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia RES 2/1 REPORT OF THE PAHO ADVISORY GROUP ON ZOONOSES RESEARCH Table of Contents Pa g e s Introduction . 1 General Observations . 3 Observations on the Organizations and Institutions Visited . 10 A. Organizations . .10 B. Laboratories and Institutions . 12 Information on 62 Laboratories and Institutions by Country . ....... 13 A. Argentina . 13 B. Brazil . 17 C. Chile . .. 24 D. Colombia . 26 E. Guatemala . .. 32 F. Mexico . ..... .34 G. Panama . ...... .5.37 H, Peru . .... 40 I. Uruguay . ...... 43 J. Venezuela . 44 List of Possible Research Projects .. 48 Annex A (Tables I - VI) . 60 Annex B (Supplemental Country Data Separate Folder RES 2/1 REPORT OF THE PAHO ADVISORY GROUP ON ZOONOSES RESEARCH* INTRODUCTION. As part of the Pan American Health Organization program of research planning, the Advisory Group on Zoonoses Research consisting of two physicians and one veterinarian was charged with summarizing current research activities in Latin America pertaining to zoonotic diseases exclusive of the arboviruses, plague, and Chagas disease, and with assessing research potential. The latter included an eval- uation of available and potential resources in manpower and facilities, determining factors limiting research, identifying those approaches most likely to produce fruitful results through international co- operation, and, hopefully, to find immediate projects worthy of support by PAHO or granting agencies. Accordingly, the Advisory Group on Zoonoses made 98 visits in ten Latin American countries from June 7 to August 2, 1962. The countries visited were Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Sixty-two laboratories and institutions representing 36 health, agricultural, educational, or related organizations were visited and consultations held with persons interested in the zoonotic diseases (Table I, page ). * Prepared for the Second Meeting of the PAHO Advisory Committee on Medical Research, 17-21 June 1963. RES 2/1 Page 2 It was impossible during the assigned period to visit all persons or institutions engaged in the study of the zoonotic diseases, to probe deeply into the many areas of mutual interest, or to evaluate completely the personnel and facilities available. However, a great - deal of useful information was obtained and certain opinions were formulated. Although the incidence and prevalence of the zoonotic diseases have been incompletely or little evaluated in certain areas, PAHO has accumulated considerable data documenting their scope and importance in most countries, and considerable information concerning research needs in this field. (See Background Information on Past and Current PAHO Research Activities, RES 1/8, 31 May 1962; Zoonoses Problems and Research Needs in Latin America, RES 1/16, 14 June 1962; and Research and Research Needs in Arthropod-borne Virus Diseaoes in Latin America, RES 1/9, 28 May 1962). (Also see Annexes: 1. Zoonoses in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama; 2. Livestock Industry, the Animal Disease Situation and the Organization of Veterinary Services in Brazil; 3. Zoonoses in Chile; 4. Principal Zoonoses in Colombia; 5. Zoonoses in Peru; 6. Zoonoses in Uruguay; 7. Zoonoses and Veterinary ~ Public Health in Venezuela and 8. Zoonoses in Argentina.) It should be emphasized that zoonoses are infectious diseases differing principally from other infectious diseases in that the under- ~ lying reservoir of infection is in animals rather than man. As a group, 1 RES 2/1 Page 3 they are of unquestioned economic and public health significance. However, the individual diseases are of lesser importance in man than other infectious diseases as, for example, the infectious diarrheas, tuberculosis, malaria, whooping cough, and measles. Similarly, the non-enzootic parasitic diseases and sterility are more important in animals. This relative importance is reflected within the countries visited, both in current activities and future plans. Hydatidosis, rabies, brucellosis, and tuberculosis are unquestionably the most important zoonotic diseases, although the first is not regarded as a major problem in a few of the countries visited and the comparative importance of the others varies somewhat from country to country. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS Current research activities in Latin America are largely, and understandably, concerned with applied rather than basic research and pertain principally to survey-type studies, methodology, biologics improvement, and control. Occasional individuals and institutions are engaged or able to participate in more basic studies and should be encouraged. This is particularly true in rapidly developing countries, such as Venezuela. In most countries, however, resources and manpower are more limited and basic research can only be promoted through program diversion. This would be unfortunate and should be discouraged. The Advisory Group on Zoonoses Research made every effort to express PAHO's continued and expanded interest in research activities and to acquaint interested persona with the possibilities of obtaining RES 2/1 Page ~ financial and other assistance for worthwhile projects. A few were found that might be activated within the next year or two. Hopefully, additional and continuing benefits will accumulate over the inter- ~ mediate and long terms. Factors presently limiting research in the zoonoses or markedly affecting research potential include: Instability of Government Stable governments interested in public health research are necessary if long range planning is to be most effective and a climate suitable for advancement must be provided. Workers function most effectively where career opportunities free from political influence are provided. Lack of Administrative Support An environment conducive to productive research is difficult to achieve and customarily develops slowly. While most educated persons believe that research is fundamental to progress, others, particularly non-scientifically trained administrators, believe it is a wasteful luxury. In order to foster research, it is necessary to create an environment in which it will develop naturally. Research progress in the zoonoses, therefore, depends upon sympathetic administrative support and the development of a proper research environment in governmental agencies and universities. In this connection there appears to be less objection to survey-type projects and applied research than to more basic studies. The forces that hamper research in the zoonoses are valid for all fields of endeavor. RES 2/1 Page ; Special Role of the University in the Development of the Research Environment Latin American universities have a special opportunity to train and develop research scientists and to foster the research tradition by providing the proper academic environment. This environment can best be developed in universities which are soundly financed and staffed by adequately compensated full-time teachers, Furthermore, the teachers should be individuals who are actually engaged in research, who understand the research process, and who can thereby generate student interest in the research point of view. In many of the universities visited, however, the teaching requirements were so demanding that the development and prosecution of research programs were impossible. Indeed, in one department of bacteriology visited, the department head had no assistants of any type and was responsible for the training of large numbers of students, both in the classroom and in the laboratory. A special study of the staff needs of Latin American universities would appear to be in order. Manpower Problema Most institutions visited are plagued with a variety of personnel problems, including inadequate compensation, acute shortages of capable and energetic personnel well trained in all disciplines, and the inability of scientist to devote full-time effort to research activities. The most pressing problem is inadequate compensation. Capable scientists continue to be siphoned off by industry at higher salaries or are required to hold more than one position to survive economically. Many individuals remain attached to their respective institutions only because of loyalty. RES 2/1 Page 6 The Advisory Group on Zoonoses Research noted with satisfaction a definite trend toward the employment of scientific personnel on a full-time basis. This practice should be encouraged as should the payment of adequate salaries. Zoonoses research and indeed research - in general in most Latin American countries will be impeded until these two goals are met. Training Fellowships and Training Courses The acute shortage of well trained scientists of senior and intermediate stature has