Cape Town, South Africa: 13 August 2026

The World Allergy Training School (WATS) was held in Cape Town, South Africa, on August 13, 2026, immediately before the Allergy Society of South Africa (ALLSA) Annual Conference. Developed jointly by the World Allergy Organization and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, WATS provided a practical, evidence-based educational program for primary care clinicians and allied health professionals.

The program combined focused lectures with hands-on workshops addressing common allergic disorders and essential clinical skills. Dr Dana Wallace led sessions on atopic dermatitis and practical topical therapy, including corticosteroid use, emollients, wet wraps, and patch testing. Dr. David Stukus presented on asthma and drug allergy and led training in inhaler, spacer, dry-powder inhaler, peak-flow meter, and asthma action-plan use. Prof. Elham Hossny addressed anaphylaxis management and contact dermatitis, while Dr. Evelyne Ng’ang’a presented on chronic urticaria and angioedema and led a workshop on nasal sprays and sinus irrigation. The program emphasized diagnostic confidence, first-line treatment, and skills that participants could apply directly in routine practice.

The ALLSA Conference followed from August 14–16, under the theme “Where Allergy Meets Non-Allergy.” The international WATS faculty contributed prominently to the scientific program. Dr. Wallace delivered the Eugene Weinberg Lectureship, “Allergen immunotherapy in a changing environment.” Dr. Stukus presented the Cas Motala Memorial Lectureship, “Evidence, Emotion, and Algorithms: Communicating Food Allergy Risk in the Real World.” Prof. Hossny spoke on “Food Allergy in emerging African regions – what is happening?” Dr. Ng’ang’a, together with Drs. Stukus, and Hossny, also participated in the interactive case-discussion session, “Case discussions with clinical pearls.”

This program would not have been possible without the assistance of the local organizers and collaborators, Professor Jonny Peter (South Africa), Professor Michael Levin (South Africa), and ALLSA President Dr. Tamara Kerbelker. 
Together, WATS and ALLSA provided a valuable continuum of practical education and specialist discussion, linking the day-to-day management of allergic disease with emerging regional and global issues in food allergy, environmental exposures, immunotherapy, and patient-centered care. Cape Town offered an especially fitting setting for this international exchange, bringing faculty and delegates from across Africa and beyond together to strengthen allergy care in the region.