On 15 March 2023, the Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety Centre for Asia Pacific (VPHCAP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, hosted an international training workshop in collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, and the Department of Livestock Development (DLD), Bangkok. The program welcomed executives and operational officers from the Department of Livestock and Fisheries (DLF), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Lao PDR.

We were honored to have Asst. Prof. Winita Punyodom, Vice President of Chiang Mai University, deliver the opening speech at the ceremony.

The workshop was co-led by:

  • Asst. Prof. Dr. Warangkhana Chaisowwong, Director of VPHCAP, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, CMU

  • Dr. Preut Boonma, Associate Dean for Strategy and Planning, Faculty of Engineering, CMU, representing the One Health Surveillance Center (PODD Center)

  • Dr. Weerapong Thanapongtham, expert in zoonotic disease control, Bureau of Disease Control and Veterinary Services, DLD

The training was conducted under the theme:
“Early Detection and Rapid Response to Stop Epizootics and Pandemics Using a Community-Based Surveillance System: Participatory One Health Disease Detection (PODD) Application.”

Over the three-day program (15–17 March 2023), participants learned how to apply the PODD community-based surveillance system to strengthen animal health monitoring in Lao PDR. The training emphasized timely disease detection and rapid response, particularly for zoonotic diseases with the potential to spread to humans. The program also aimed to adapt the PODD system for local use in Lao PDR, enhancing the capacity to prevent and control animal disease outbreaks more effectively.

This collaboration reflects the ongoing partnership between Thailand and Lao PDR to advance One Health approaches, reinforce regional preparedness, and safeguard both animal and human health.