In addition to the Portuguese language and immense cultural richness, Brazil and Angola also share common challenges — among them, tackling vector-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue e chikungunya.
Aiming to exchange experiences and knowledge between the two nations, seven Angolan professionals participated, between July 14 and 25, in a theoretical-practical qualification promoted by the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fiocruz), in Rio de Janeiro. The training is part of an international project to update the entomological map of Angola.
The course aimed to identify disease-transmitting insects and monitor the resistance of these vectors to insecticides used in control actions.
According to the head of the Laboratory of Biology, Control and Surveillance of Insect Vectors of the IOC, José Bento Pereira Lima, these two areas are fundamental for the success of entomological surveillance.
"One of the fundamental aspects of controlling diseases like malaria and dengue is knowing the vectors well—knowing who they are, where they are, and how insecticides are acting on them. Without this type of assessment, it's impossible to guarantee efficiency in the field," he explained.
Divided into two stages, the qualification began with a week of molecular biology practices on the Manguinhos campus, focusing on the detection of genetic markers that indicate species resistance to insecticides.
The following week, participants conducted biological trials to test the effectiveness of different insecticides on mosquitoes and other medically important vectors in Angola.
Updating Angola's entomological map is essential to guide policies for preventing and controlling insect-borne diseases in the country. The initiative is part of the fourth phase of the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Improvement Project (REDISSE), funded by the World Bank and conducted in partnership with the Angolan Ministry of Health.
The main objective is to increase the capacity to respond to outbreaks of communicable diseases and other public health threats in the African country.
The first stage of the action took place between April 14 and May 2, when researchers from Fiocruz — including nine professionals from IOC —were in the African country to begin collecting specimens that will help compile the entomological map. Educational activities were also held for local professionals.
“AFiocruz always strives to leave a legacy of training in the territories where it operates. In addition to collecting data, we work to train local professionals so they can continue their work independently," emphasized researcher Ademir Martins.
Furthermore, the interaction with Angolan professionals during the mission in the African country revealed the themes that would be incorporated into the qualification.
"From our contact with Angolan professionals, we began to recognize other training needs, such as the use of molecular techniques for parasite detection and monitoring insecticide resistance. Therefore, we organized a training program here in Brazil based on other courses we already offer," he added.
More than just sharing technical knowledge, the training program in Rio de Janeiro was marked by intense exchanges between Brazilian and Angolan professionals. For Bento, initiatives like this leave a legacy that extends beyond the laboratory.
“Our role here at IOC It's about trying to help as much as we can—and also learning. We share what we know, they share what they know, and in the end, everyone comes away richer in knowledge," he reflected.
The researcher also highlighted the potential academic and institutional ramifications of the partnership. One of the participants in the training, for example, expressed interest in enrolling in a master's program in IOC, which, according to him, reinforces the importance of initiatives like this to strengthen ties between countries — which is aligned with the F's Internationalization Policyiocroz.
"This collaboration opens doors. We already have a participant interested in pursuing a master's degree here at IOC, and I believe others can follow this path as well. This contributes not only to individual development but also to closer ties between institutions," he assessed.
In practice, the interaction between the groups showed that, despite their distinct realities, Brazil and Angola share similar challenges in vector surveillance. Malaria, for example, is the main focus of action in Angola, while in Brazil, especially outside the Amazon, efforts are concentrated on combating arboviruses such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Even so, both countries face the complexities of integrating teams and strategies to simultaneously control multiple diseases.
"We've discussed extensively here in Brazil how difficult it is to implement integrated control, since there are typically different teams handling different vectors—and they don't always communicate well. This is the same in Angola. Our exchange is very enriching precisely because we have similar problems," Ademir emphasized.
Participants also expressed a positive perception of the exchange. Pedro Mbueno Nzila, a doctor from the Angolan Ministry of Health and a public health specialist, highlighted the partnership's value in strengthening the appropriate use of insecticides.
"This exchange is very important due to Brazil's experience in vector control. It's a partnership that will greatly benefit us, especially in the handling of insecticides," said the doctor, who is part of the African country's Sleeping Sickness Control Program.
Biomedical scientist Luzala Garcia, who works with Angola's National Malaria Control Program, also highlighted the technical learning provided by the training. According to her, the group gained exposure to innovative practices—such as larval bioassays—that can now be incorporated into laboratory routines in Angola.
"We weren't familiar with the larval bioassay technique. It was great. We all left with a greater appreciation for the technique, which we will apply to strengthen our country," he said.
In addition to the group that was in Rio de Janeiro, five professionals from the Angolan Ministry of Health also participated in a technical-scientific training carried out by Fiocruz Rondônia and by Fioccross amazon, between July 7th and 18th. The course focused on the molecular detection of pathogens in arthropods and is part of the actions of the same international project.
In addition to the Portuguese language and immense cultural richness, Brazil and Angola also share common challenges — among them, tackling vector-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue e chikungunya.
Aiming to exchange experiences and knowledge between the two nations, seven Angolan professionals participated, between July 14 and 25, in a theoretical-practical qualification promoted by the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fiocruz), in Rio de Janeiro. The training is part of an international project to update the entomological map of Angola.
The course aimed to identify disease-transmitting insects and monitor the resistance of these vectors to insecticides used in control actions.
According to the head of the Laboratory of Biology, Control and Surveillance of Insect Vectors of the IOC, José Bento Pereira Lima, these two areas are fundamental for the success of entomological surveillance.
"One of the fundamental aspects of controlling diseases like malaria and dengue is knowing the vectors well—knowing who they are, where they are, and how insecticides are acting on them. Without this type of assessment, it's impossible to guarantee efficiency in the field," he explained.
Divided into two stages, the qualification began with a week of molecular biology practices on the Manguinhos campus, focusing on the detection of genetic markers that indicate species resistance to insecticides.
The following week, participants conducted biological trials to test the effectiveness of different insecticides on mosquitoes and other medically important vectors in Angola.
Updating Angola's entomological map is essential to guide policies for preventing and controlling insect-borne diseases in the country. The initiative is part of the fourth phase of the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Improvement Project (REDISSE), funded by the World Bank and conducted in partnership with the Angolan Ministry of Health.
The main objective is to increase the capacity to respond to outbreaks of communicable diseases and other public health threats in the African country.
The first stage of the action took place between April 14 and May 2, when researchers from Fiocruz — including nine professionals from IOC —were in the African country to begin collecting specimens that will help compile the entomological map. Educational activities were also held for local professionals.
“AFiocruz always strives to leave a legacy of training in the territories where it operates. In addition to collecting data, we work to train local professionals so they can continue their work independently," emphasized researcher Ademir Martins.
Furthermore, the interaction with Angolan professionals during the mission in the African country revealed the themes that would be incorporated into the qualification.
"From our contact with Angolan professionals, we began to recognize other training needs, such as the use of molecular techniques for parasite detection and monitoring insecticide resistance. Therefore, we organized a training program here in Brazil based on other courses we already offer," he added.
More than just sharing technical knowledge, the training program in Rio de Janeiro was marked by intense exchanges between Brazilian and Angolan professionals. For Bento, initiatives like this leave a legacy that extends beyond the laboratory.
“Our role here at IOC It's about trying to help as much as we can—and also learning. We share what we know, they share what they know, and in the end, everyone comes away richer in knowledge," he reflected.
The researcher also highlighted the potential academic and institutional ramifications of the partnership. One of the participants in the training, for example, expressed interest in enrolling in a master's program in IOC, which, according to him, reinforces the importance of initiatives like this to strengthen ties between countries — which is aligned with the F's Internationalization Policyiocroz.
"This collaboration opens doors. We already have a participant interested in pursuing a master's degree here at IOC, and I believe others can follow this path as well. This contributes not only to individual development but also to closer ties between institutions," he assessed.
In practice, the interaction between the groups showed that, despite their distinct realities, Brazil and Angola share similar challenges in vector surveillance. Malaria, for example, is the main focus of action in Angola, while in Brazil, especially outside the Amazon, efforts are concentrated on combating arboviruses such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Even so, both countries face the complexities of integrating teams and strategies to simultaneously control multiple diseases.
"We've discussed extensively here in Brazil how difficult it is to implement integrated control, since there are typically different teams handling different vectors—and they don't always communicate well. This is the same in Angola. Our exchange is very enriching precisely because we have similar problems," Ademir emphasized.
Participants also expressed a positive perception of the exchange. Pedro Mbueno Nzila, a doctor from the Angolan Ministry of Health and a public health specialist, highlighted the partnership's value in strengthening the appropriate use of insecticides.
"This exchange is very important due to Brazil's experience in vector control. It's a partnership that will greatly benefit us, especially in the handling of insecticides," said the doctor, who is part of the African country's Sleeping Sickness Control Program.
Biomedical scientist Luzala Garcia, who works with Angola's National Malaria Control Program, also highlighted the technical learning provided by the training. According to her, the group gained exposure to innovative practices—such as larval bioassays—that can now be incorporated into laboratory routines in Angola.
"We weren't familiar with the larval bioassay technique. It was great. We all left with a greater appreciation for the technique, which we will apply to strengthen our country," he said.
In addition to the group that was in Rio de Janeiro, five professionals from the Angolan Ministry of Health also participated in a technical-scientific training carried out by Fiocruz Rondônia and by Fioccross amazon, between July 7th and 18th. The course focused on the molecular detection of pathogens in arthropods and is part of the actions of the same international project.
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