Simulation exercise: Foot and mouth disease in Serbia

Dr Emina Milakara, Acting Director, Chief Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management informed the OIE that a full-scale simulation exercise on foot and mouth disease (FMD) is taking place in Republic of Serbia, in the Province of Vojvodina from 20 to 21 March 2019.

The simulation exercise (SIMEX) is prepared and organized by EUFMD and the Veterinary Directorate of Serbia, with the participation of Veterinary services at different levels as well as observers from Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Denmark.

The overall aim of this exercise is to maintain and improve the response skills of the Veterinary Services in a given scenario. This simulation exercise will include table-top and field exercises in local, regional and central operational level.

The specific objectives are to:

• test the Foot and Mouth Contingency Plan with related legislation and train staff on its implementation;
• test operational response arrangements and procedures;
• determine the responsibilities and liaison between the key operational segments;
• perceive the impact of the disease as an outbreak management.

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