Simulation exercise: Foot and mouth disease in Denmark-3

Dr Per Starcke Henriksen, Chief Veterinary Officer of the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Glostrup, Denmark, informed the OIE that a simulation exercise on foot and mouth disease (FMD) codenamed “VET-ALL” will take place from 19 to 23 January 2015 in Denmark.

This full scale exercise on the control and eradication of FMD will aim to:

•  test and further develop the FMD contingency plan based on simulated outbreaks occurring during a simulated period of 19 days,
•  enhance the cooperation with the Veterinary Administrations in Germany related to cross-border activities during animal health emergency situations,
•  ensure that staff members of the Danish Veterinary Administration and external partners obtain a good knowledge of contingency planning and routine in handling designated tasks during simulated disease suspicions and outbreaks.

The specific objectives will include to:

•  activate and operate the crisis management organisation,
•  handle the flow of information,
•  coordinate operation and resources,
•  handle crisis communication,
•  prepare veterinary inputs with regard to risk assessments and implementation of eradication measures.

Exercise “VET-ALL” will be conducted with the participation of external partners such as the Danish Agriculture and Food Council, the Technical University of Denmark, the Police, the Danish Emergency Management Agency and the Feed, Dairy, Meat and Rendering Industries and others.

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World Animal Health Information and Analysis Department
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
[email protected]