Report of the situation in Iran

• Strengthening of diagnostic and epidemiological capacities; • Training of NCs and national staff in diagnostics, computer use and epidemiology; • National sero-surveillance in the three countries, with a system of regular FMD sero surveillance to identify risk populations; • Regular risk assessments established to guide national and regional decision making; • National project consultants are part of national FMD control decision making, e.g. contingency plans, communication between EuFMD and national VS. The serological studies had demonstrated widespread evidence of NSP positive animals, and not only in border regions; risk factors identified included seasonal movements to pastures, and also the gradation in animal/meat value across region that encouraged transborder movements. The last main activity of the project will be a simulation exercise for the three countries, to be conducted in first week of May 2009. The main risks to the national FMD control policy were reviewed, and these include inadequate recognition of the work of the VS and FMD control by governments in particular because of: • No major disease outbreaks reported; • Lack of public health risk; • Low national importance of the livestock industry, mainly subsistence level of large animal husbandry; • No incentives or even penalisation for reporting of FMD or suspicions on all levels, • Poor transparency about the FMD situation. In Georgia: particular difficulties include national budget cuts for VS, no clear FMD control policy, poor vaccination coverage and no re-vaccination of young stock.

The conclusions of the TransCaucasus project consultants/CVO meeting held 26th April in Rome were given by Dr Bejanishvili, Georgia; the three countries requested a continuation of the project for the next two years, to consolidate the gains in capacity, and support to introduce a full animal identification and registration system in the three countries.

Discussion

The lack of a regular vaccination program in Georgia in past two years was noted with concern.

Report of the situation in Iran

A report on progress made through actions supported by EuFMD/EC since 2007 was given by Dr Geiger, EuFMD, covering Phase I of the EC supported action (Appendix 6), and by Dr Otarod, Iran Veterinary Organization (IVO), on the current FMD situation and on the progress to implement Phase II (Appendix 7).

From April 2006 (3 years evolution, the start point of EuFMD project), there was an increase in the number of outbreaks both in cattle and sheep and goat due to Type O (PanAsia), from September 2006 and stayed till March 2007. The sub strain responsible for this epidemic was O Pan Asia, followed by an epidemic of type O PanAsia linage 2. From July 2007 onward there was relatively stable situation except for January 2009 where the outbreaks increased due to Type A Iran05, with the most severely affected region in the Western part of Iran.

The progress in Phase I was summarised by Dr Geiger; the support given had assisted early warning of the type O PanAsia II before the epidemic had reached Turkey, had enabled the strengthening of the National Task Force on FMD control, with the result that changes in control strategy had been implemented and build local capacity to investigate outbreaks and to improve lab capacity. Phase II would consolidate these gains, with emphasis on Twinning program for the National Ref Laboratory (CRVL Karaj) with the WRL Pirbright, towards OIE/FAO Ref Lab status, plus application of active and sero-surveillance to monitor success of control measures. The current Phase is due to be completed in December 2009, but the representative indicated a high interest to continue, with emphasis on improved control in border regions, including a possible buffer zone along the border with Turkey, and in actions that reduce risk from the Eastern countries where FMD is relatively uncontrolled.