Mobile water laboratory from Leipzig University supports WHO in Mayotte
In the aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Chido in December 2024, Leipzig University, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international partners, has sent a mobile water laboratory to the French overseas department of Mayotte off the East African coast. This laboratory will assist local authorities in monitoring the quality of drinking water, thereby contributing to the containment of waterborne diseases.
Cyclone Chido caused severe damage to Mayotte’s infrastructure, including the water supply. After such disasters, access to clean drinking water is essential to prevent the spread of disease. Leipzig University’s mobile laboratory, led by Dr Ahmed Abd El Wahed from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and his team (Professor Manfred Weidmann, Dr Arianna Ceruti and Dr Rea Maja Kobialka), is equipped with cutting-edge technology for microbiological and chemical water testing. This advanced system allows for rapid and comprehensive on-site analysis of water quality.
“Leipzig University is proud to contribute to this humanitarian effort. The deployment of our mobile laboratory is an example of how we use our expertise and resources to help in crisis situations worldwide. Clean drinking water is a basic human right, and we are committed to doing our part to ensure this right for the people of Mayotte,” says Ahmed Abd El Wahed. He points out that the mobile laboratory makes it possible to carry out vital water analyses in difficult conditions and remote areas, and that Leipzig University has invested in the construction and equipment of the mobile laboratory in order to be able to respond quickly when needed.
Rapid, coordinated relief in health emergencies
This initiative is part of a broader international effort led by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, in collaboration with the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), the Institut Pasteur, B-Life Belgium, and experts from various institutions. The aim is to establish a GOARN Strategic Group for Diagnostic Surge Capacity, says Oleg Storozhenko from the WHO Regional Office, which is supporting the initiative with other partners. “This collaboration highlights the critical importance of international solidarity and the urgent need for a rapid, coordinated response to global health emergencies, ensuring that diagnostic capabilities are ready to be deployed wherever and whenever they are needed most,” says Storozhenko.
The mobile laboratory from Leipzig University is expected to be deployed in Mayotte until the end of February. On site, experts will be working closely with local authorities and other relief organisations. It will help monitor water quality, identify potential health risks and assess the effectiveness of measures to improve water supply.
Wissenschaftlicher Ansprechpartner:
Dr Ahmed Abd El Wahed
Phone: +49 341 97-38153
ahmed.abd_el_wahed@uni-leipzig.de
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