Theory of Change: The Surveillance Loop
The PIONEER Project applies an integrated and iterative surveillance loop to generate timely, actionable evidence for food safety decision‑making. The approach links data collection, laboratory analysis, data integration, and policy feedback to improve foodborne disease prevention and control.
Surveillance Sites
The PIONEER Project implements integrated sentinel foodborne disease surveillance at selected Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) sites across Ethiopia.
Arba Minch HDSS
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Hararghe HDSS
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Butajira HDSS
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North Shoa HDSS
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Expected Outcomes
Co-created integrated sentinel foodborne disease surveillance system in Ethiopia.
Reliable estimates of foodborne disease burden and key risk factors.
Identification of priority pathogens, sources and contamination routes.
Evidence to support implementation of Ethiopia’s National Food Safety Master Plan (2025–2029).
Strengthened laboratory, analytic, and surveillance capacity.
Improved outbreak preparedness and food safety decision-making.
Project Approach
The PIONEER Project applies an integrated, stepwise approach combining stakeholder engagement, capacity strengthening, active surveillance, and laboratory analysis to generate robust evidence for foodborne disease surveillance and food safety decision‑making.
Stakeholder Engagement
Stakeholder meetings to co‑design the surveillance system, strengthen multisectoral collaboration, and support long‑term sustainability.
Capacity Building
Training of field staff, laboratory personnel, data collectors, and senior professionals to support integrated surveillance and analysis.
Active Surveillance
Implementation of active foodborne disease surveillance at health facilities and community levels within selected HDSS sites.
Sample Collection
Collection of food, stool, animal faeces, and water samples to support pathogen detection and exposure assessment.
Microbiological Analysis
Laboratory analysis using culture, multiplex PCR, metagenomics, and whole‑genome sequencing to identify foodborne pathogens.
Chemical Analysis
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