43RD GENERAL SESSION OF THE EuFMD
ROME 17-18 APRIL 2019
Item 6. Technical point 4 Early warning and better preparedness for FMD and similar transboundary animal diseases in the European neighbourhood: the case for an integrated approach Document provided: Summary paper including Key Messages Presentation: Appendix 10 Key Messages - Risk of introduction of FMD and similar TADs (FAST) in Europe remains very high. The regions of North Africa, Middle East and West Eurasia are key areas for a number of emerging risks for Europe. - A better knowledge of the livestock flows in the European neighbourhood would be a core for the assessment of dangers threatening Europe and would provide useful information for the national veterinary services for designing more effective national disease surveillance and control programs. - The collection and sharing of risk information between neighbouring countries can facilitate the regular updating of the risk assessment carried out at national and regional level. Information sharing tools and well established regional networks can facilitate the systematic collection, collation, analysis and sharing of relevant data for the risk assessors. - Maps resulting from the assessment of animal mobility and other risk information (e.g advancement of vaccination programmes, outbreaks occurrence, and circulation of new strains) can be used to develop ongoing risk based surveillance in hot spot locations and optimize the veterinary service resources deployed in the field. - The capacity for early detection of FAST incursions, depends largely on sensitivity of the primary surveillance, on effectiveness of the disease reporting system, and on the active surveillance implemented in risk hotspot areas. The capacity to collect regularly and submit isolates to the international reference laboratories is essential to detect circulation of new virus strains in endemic areas. - Involvement of stakeholders is important to improve the sensitivity of the primary surveillance. The use of tools such as apps, SMS and other online systems can contribute to the collection of timely information, and the adoption of a “negative reporting system” in high-risk areas can increase the detection of FAST circulation at an early stage. - Laboratory capacity to confirm and investigate suspicions and epidemiological skills to adapt surveillance according to the risk are necessary to implement an early detection system with a good level of sensitivity. Regular training and networking between centers of expertise can contribute to build capacities in Europe and neighbouring countries. This item was presented by Fabrizio Rosso, EuFMD (Appendix 10). In this paper, the case for an integrated approach for multiple TADS was made, considering the co-circulation of several TADS in parts of the neighbourhood region, and the lessons from spread patterns for each TAD that can inform better prevention of FMD. A key to risk factor for several TADS is the livestock flow into the neighbourhood. The implementation of specific surveys and the monitoring of proxy indicators of animal movements, especially in areas with a general lack of national animal identification systems and movement monitoring (e.g. North Africa), are key elements for tailoring a risk-based approach for surveillance and for the development of early warning and reaction systems. The combination of qualitative risk analysis and risk mapping contributes to assess the risk of introducing and disseminating FMD and similar TADs within the countries and across their borders. The resulting risk maps can be useful to develop disease surveillance programs focused on specific risk hubs, in order to optimize the veterinary service resources deployed in the field and improve the effectiveness of control measures implemented. Progress has been made through a EuFMD and CIRAD collaboration to promote an integrated method based on qualitative risk analysis, risk mapping, animal mobility, market prices data analysis and surveillance protocols. The work has been intense in the past year, but now offers the opportunity to national veterinary services to update regularly the FMD surveillance and control strategy in relation to risks of FMD introduction and spread. Considering that the risk can change over time, and that risk information must be re-assessed continuously, the proposed methodology can contribute to adjust health risks in a relevant and innovative way by improving the efficiency of the risk-based disease surveillance and control while streamlining costs. Furthermore, the sharing of risk information between neighbouring countries is an important part of regional risk reduction and such sharing should not be dependent on international intermediaries – in the example of Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey, direct CVO to CVO contact has been important and appreciated.
43rd General Session of the EuFMD:: 17-18 April 2019 : :Rome - Italy
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