On May 19, 2025, the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC) hosted the first partner meeting of the VIRAGE project Integrated Vision of Rabies Surveillance and Control in Cambodia”, an initiative that illustrates the strong health cooperation between France and Cambodia.

Funded by the French Embassy / Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, VIRAGE is a 30-month initiative (April 2025 – November 2027) that aims to support Cambodia’s efforts to fight rabies through a multi-sectoral and integrated approach.

The project is structured around four main objectives: (i) Strengthening rabies surveillance and risk management, (ii) Improving access to and adherence to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), (iii) Evaluating public and professional practices and identifying barriers, (iv) Supporting education, training, and awareness activities in a One Health framework

The meeting brought together representatives from: Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, French Embassy in Cambodia, General Directorate of Animal Health and Production (GDAHP – Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries – MAFF), National Center for Disease Control, Ministry of Health (CDC – MoH), Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology (CADT) and Royal University of Agriculture (RUA)

This meeting provided an opportunity to collaboratively review the project’s objectives and activities and prepare for the next steps, including the official kick-off meeting scheduled for June 12.

We sincerely thank all our partners for their commitment to this important effort to strengthen both public and animal health in Cambodia.