independent vaccine control were started in the Bornova Veterinary Control and Research Institute in Izmir. Dr. Naci Bulut summarised the serosurvey performed after FMD vaccination in Thrace during autumn 2001 (Appendix 9). In total 4061 sera taken on day 0, 28, 60 and 120 pv, were examined by LPB ELISA. The protection level indicated by the test was acceptable after 28 and 60 days but insufficient after 120 days. He then reported on a sero-survey for NSP antibodies by 3ABC ELISA conducted on the same sera (Appendix 10). In total, 1310 sera were tested of which 16 (1.22%) were found positive all of them from different herds. This gave no significant indication of circulating virus in the region. Dr. Sinan Aktas presented a paper on the genetic characterisation of FMD type O and A viruses in Turkey (Appendix 11). The results showed that type A viruses isolated from Turkey between 2000-2002 were closely related to A Iran 96. Regarding the O type although slightly different type O viruses were isolated in Turkey, these were antigenically found to be related to the vaccine strain O Manisa. The last paper presented by Dr. Hagai Yadin reviewed the policy of FMD control for prevention and emergency situations in an FMD endemic region (Appendix 12). This policy consists mainly of annual vaccination of all livestock including sheep, goats and pigs. The imported vaccine is checked upon arrival for serological response. An annual serological surveillance is performed to check the annual vaccination campaign. In case of an FMD outbreak, animals are vaccinated and risk animals are placed under quarantine. Conclusions •
Due to the lack of clinical signs, the laboratory diagnosis of SVD is based on examining faeces samples instead of epithelial tissues. The VI test is affected by the possible loss of virus infectivity and the presence of entero-viruses other than SVDV that may grow more quickly than SVDV. The Immune PCR assay developed at the Brescia Reference Centre circumvents these difficulties.
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Serosurveillance in Thrace indicated that the duration of protection following FMD vaccination was shorter then 120 days which indicates that booster vaccination is required at least 3 times the first year and twice a year thereafter.
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The test used for the detection of NSP antibodies revealed that the probability of active virus circulation in Thrace is very low.
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FMD viruses circulating in Turkey seem to be covered by current vaccine strains.
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The policy of FMD control in an endemic area should consist of strict surveillance and vaccination, including vaccine control and sero-surveillance. In case of an outbreak, quarantine and emergency vaccination is carried out.
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