EuFMD OS20

1. FMD risk reduction in Transcaucasian and neighbouring
countries – an example of successful regional cooperation
1 European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Food and Agricultural Organization, Rome, Italy
2 Azerbaijan Food Safety Institute, Baku, Azerbaijan
3 Scientific Center for Risks Assessment and Analysis in Food Safety Area, Yerevan, Armenia
4 Şap (FMD) Institute, Ankara, Turkey
5 National Food Agency, Tbilisi, Georgia
C.Pötzsch1, T.Aliyeva1, 2, S.Kharatyan1, 3, A.Bulut1, 4, T.Chaligava1, 5, K.Sumption1, F.Rosso1
Background
Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) circulates in the European neighbourhood and in more than 100 countries in Africa, the Middle-East, and large parts of the
Eurasian landmass. The European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (EuFMD) has recently adopted a strategy which extends the scope of
preparedness and risk reduction activities to FMD and similar transboundary (FAST) animal diseases.
In 2016, under the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs), a Statement of Intentions (SOI) was established
between the veterinary services of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Turkey and the Russian Federation for an intensified collaboration in the prevention and
control of FAST diseases.
Statement of Intentions - Activities
1. Sharing of information on FMD outbreaks and vaccination
A data sharing platform with a mapping tool allows to monitor vaccination progress
and outbreaks in SOI countries on a monthly basis and inform neighbouring countries
in nearly real time.
This improves regional risk assessments and early warning, and allows more informed
FMD control decisions.
4. Testing of emergency preparedness through joint FMD simulation
exercises
In 2019 joint simulation exercise in border region of Turkey and Georgia with
participants from Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia
Outcomes were 1) strengthened regional cooperation and trust building and 2)
amendments to the FMD control and contingency plans
3. FMD post vaccination monitoring (PVM) to better assess the quality of
vaccines and effectiveness of vaccination programmes
Many different FMD vaccines are used in the SOI countries. Small scale vaccination trials
in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan to better assess the quality of vaccines and
effectiveness of vaccination programmes. Outcomes were increased trust in the
tendered vaccines and more stringent tender requirements for the manufacturer (e.g.
regarding PD50 and vaccine strains).
Control of transboundary diseases is more successful if:
• programmes have a regional focus
• countries set their own pace of disease control progress and are
supported by international organisations/institutions
(→ lack of finances is not a major obstacle!)
• Country support are targeted to individual needs
5. Improvements of epidemiology and laboratory networks in the West
Eurasia region under GF TADs
Laboratory network:
• To improve FMD diagnosis:
o an agreement between countries in the region is proposed to facilitate the
transportation and diagnosis of FMD virus samples for serotyping, molecular
analysis and vaccine matching at the SAP Institute in Ankara, and
o an assessment of laboratories in SOI countries has been conducted to identify
training needs.
• Assist with small scale immunogenicity studies (see 3.) and advice on vaccine use
Epidemiology network:
• Sharing of information and data on vaccination and outbreaks for FAST diseases
• Promote integrated surveillance for FAST diseases
• Improve regional risk assessments, e.g. use of risk maps
2. Risk based surveillance for FMD and other transboundary ruminant
diseases to improve early warning
In a workshop for SEEN/SOI countries in 2020, current surveillance was reviewed and
risk hotspots for FAST diseases identified. Based on these data, the national capacities
in risk mapping was further developed in a series of workshops.
As a result,
• data and information on FAST outbreaks, control and surveillance, and
• national and regional risk maps on animal movements and other risk factors
will be included in the SOI data sharing platform.
Outlook and take home messages
Figure 1: Sample view of the data sharing platform
Figure 2: Impressions from the simulation exercise 2020
Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Peste des Petits Ruminants,
Sheep and Goat Pox, Lumpy Skin Disease, Rift Valley Fever,
Bovine Ephemeral Fever.
To improve regional risk assessments and early waring, activities under
the SOI will
• be further extended to other FAST diseases,
• increasingly Include animal movements and risk mapping
• include more countries, taking into account regional risks
This cooperation agreement can be a model for other regions to enhance early warning, build confidence in the effectiveness of control programmes
and reduce the risks of animal diseases.