Stories from the field: Elaine (PNG)
“I am really glad to have completed the Field Epidemiology Training Program of Papua New Guinea. It has helped me better understand surveillance for the work I am doing now in reducing antimicrobial resistance in poultry”
– Elaine Hevoho
Elaine Hevoho completed the Field Epidemiology Training Program of Papua New Guinea (FETPNG) in 2014 and is the program’s only animal health graduate so far. In celebration of the 6th International One Health day, we caught up with Elaine to understand how FETPNG has helped her in her work and career.
Sampling during the ASF outbreak in the Highlands. Image: Elaine Hevoho
Elaine, can you please tell us a bit about your background and how you ended up in the FETPNG program?
I graduated from the PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment with a Bachelors Degree in Tropical Agriculture in 2009. I initially started in the private sector with New Britain Palm Oil limited before joining the National Agriculture Quarantine & Inspection Authority cadetship program in the animal health division. After completing my cadetship, I was nominated to complete FETPNG.
African Swine Fever (ASF) Serological diagnostic testing of pig samples. Image: Elaine Hevoho
Can you describe your experience completing FETPNG?
FETPNG was very interesting as I did not have previous experience with epidemiology. Through the program I learnt a lot about disease surveillance, outbreak investigation and data analysis. My field project involved analysing data collected through the syndromic surveillance system for chicken and pigs in Morobe Province. These data were not previously being analysed and I was really pleased I could do this analysis and provide my results to animal health management.
Collecting data on a farm’s disease history. Image: Elaine Hevoho
African Swine Fever awareness raising with locals in a village in Ambum District, Enga Province. Image: Elaine Hevoho
What have you been doing since FETPNG?
I currently work as a Technical Officer in the National Animal Health and Food Testing Laboratory. I am also completing a Fleming Fund Fellowship including contributing to the development of an antimicrobial resistance surveillance plan for healthy poultry in PNG. My knowledge from FETPNG has really helped me with the fellowship. I continue to be interested in epidemiology and have also been selected to complete additional training in veterinary epidemiology through the Asia-Pacific Consortium of Veterinary Epidemiology (APCOVE) project in the coming months.
Routine surveillance and sampling of poultry at a border province, Vanimo. Image: Elaine Hevoho
Routine surveillance and sampling in the Southern Region (Central Province). Image: Elaine Hevoho