Second regional workshop on lumpy skin disease (LSD) prevention, control, and awareness raising

With the progressive transboundary spread of LSD, a harmonized regional approach to control the disease in the region is highly recommended. This second regional workshop provided an opportunity for countries in the region, both affected and at immediate risk, to share their experiences, to improve their knowledge, and to discuss in an open forum with the aid of experts some of the most challenging issues faced by veterinary services when it comes to LSD prevention and control. Lessons learnt and practical effective and efficient solutions were targeted.

Representatives from the veterinary services from Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, FYR of Macedonia, Georgia, Israel, Kosovo, Montenegro, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine attended the workshop. Representatives from cattle associations from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Ukraine also participated in the workshop, bringing to the table their concerns and allowing discussions on how associations can best coordinate with the veterinary services and contribute to the prevention and control of LSD.

The workshop had a highly interactive format, divided into thematic sessions moderated by experts: Cost-benefit analysis; Vaccination strategies; Contingency plans; and Risk Communication, as well as a short desktop simulation exercise.

In addition, the workshop allowed, based on the identified gaps and needs, to discuss and design the framework and main activities for a future regional project on LSD prevention and control in the region.

Presentations

Day 1

FAO Lumpy Skin Disease projects overview
Daniel Beltran-Alcrudo, FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, Hungary

Introduction - Lumpy skin disease workshop
Eeva Tuppurainen, Lumpy skin disease scientific expert

Epidemiology and control of LSD in Israel –Historical perspective from an infected region
Nadav Galon, Israel

LSD Situation, Surveillance and Control Activities in Turkey
Esra Satir, National Reference Laboratory for LSD and SGP Pendik Veterinary Control Institute/ Istanbul

The LSD epidemic in the Russian Federation – Situation update and key challenges
Aleksandr Kononov, ARRIAH, Russian Federation

Cost-benefit analysis framework
Jordi Casal, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain

Vaccination against Lumpy skin disease virus
Eeva Tuppurainen, Lumpy skin disease scientific expert

Purchase, short term storage and delivery of vaccines in the face of an outbreak
Tsviatko Alexandrov, Bulgarian Food Safety Agency

Harmonized regional vaccinations
Group discussions

Day 2

Risk communication
Jordi Casal, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain

Lumpy Skin Disease
Contingency Plan Template
Eeva Tuppurainen, Daniel Beltrán-Alcrudo & Tsviatko Alexandrov, FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, Hungary

Group exercise
Lumpy Skin Disease Contingency Plan

Group exercise
Simulation of LSD situation

Lumpy skin disease follow-up project proposal
Eeva Tuppurainen, Daniel Beltrán-Alcrudo and Tsviatko Alexandrov, FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, Hungary