Researchers from the Pasteur Institute of Iran successfully led a specialized international training course on virology and outbreak response. The program, held in Karachi from October 21 to November 1, 2025, equipped scientists from across the Islamic world with critical skills to combat emerging infectious diseases. Titled “Investigating Infectious Disease Outbreaks with a Focus on Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF),” the intensive one-week course was a core component of the broader “Virology and Future Pandemic Preparedness” initiative. It was organized in collaboration with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) and Pakistan’s International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS).

The course brought together more than 30 researchers and health professionals from 11 countries, including Benin, Uganda, Somalia, Senegal, Singapore, Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Cameroon, and Pakistan. The primary objective was to enhance regional capacity in virology, disease surveillance, and rapid response mechanisms to better prepare for future public health threats.

A distinguished team of experts from the Pasteur Institute of Iran, Iran’s Center for Disease Control, and Iran University of Medical Sciences formed the instructional core of the program who delivered content both virtually and in-person.

The curriculum provided a comprehensive overview of essential topics, including:

 

• Arboviruses and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever
• Biosafety and Risk Assessment
• Outbreak Planning and Early Warning Systems
• Descriptive and Analytical Studies in Epidemiology
• International Health Regulations (IHR)

 

The program blended theoretical sessions with practical workshops and exercises, fostering active engagement and yielding highly positive feedback from participants.

Dr. Tahmineh Jalalı who travelled to Karachi for this course was responsible for the scientific and executive coordination of the program and participated in practical exercises, research visits, and scientific cooperation sessions.

On the sidelines of the course, high-level meetings were conducted with directors of leading Pakistani institutions, including Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator-General of COMSTECH. These discussions explored future scientific partnerships and showcased the advanced virology infrastructure and capabilities of the Pasteur Institute of Iran.

This training marks the second joint program under a five-year Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Pasteur Institute of Iran and COMSTECH in October 2023, signaling a sustained and deepening commitment to collaborative health security across Islamic nations.