H.E. Mr Masaki Noke (center) addresses the workshop participants with WHO experts Dr Peter Mala (l) and Dr Maria van Kerkhove (r) (Photo: Simon van Woerden/WHO)
This week over 50 experts in surveillance, field epidemiology, infection control, laboratory and more are convening in Cairo for a Rapid Response Team (RRT) training. Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) are a crucial part of the response to MERS and other respiratory disease outbreaks in WH’s Eastern Mediterranean, and as such WHO’s Regional Office for the Mediterranean has organized this training with the generous support of the Embassy of Japan and in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The Middle East Region has witnessed massive displacement and population movement since 2011”, said H.E. Mr Masaki Noke, Ambassador of Japan to Egypt. “One of the repercussions from this population movement is the increased risk of infectious disease outbreaks, which is why this course is so important. The trainees are experts from affected countries.”
An RRT kit with supplies to conduct a proper response (Photo: Simon van Woerden/WHO)“These are the leaders and future leaders of Rapid Response Teams,” the Ambassador said. “This week, they will reinforce their expertise, create a network among their colleagues from seven participating countries, and share their experiences and learnings with an even larger group in their home countries.”
During the four days of the training, participants will learn and practice new knowledge and skills related to a scala of crucial RRT capacities - including infection prevention, using personal protective equipment, sample management, risk communication and communication engagement, and data management.
