Ministry Performs FMD Mock Test
SPAIN - Involving 50 veterinary and risk assessment experts the Ministry of Agriculture Food and the Environment have carried out an experiment in Toledo evaluating the preparation of veterinary services to respond to emergencies and train and coordinate staff.The observations took place on a beef farm in the town of Talavera de la Reina. Clinical symptoms were reproduced and the services were observed as to how they reacted. Groups evaluated were,the farm staff, the Service Nature Protection (SEPRONA), the regional veterinary services and the Ministry.
During the disease outbreak simulation a shipment of samples was collected has been sent to the National Reference Laboratory of Algete. The exercise, which has been communicated to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the European Commission, was conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Castilla-La Mancha, and coordinated by the University Complutense of Madrid.
Experts are currently evaluating the results obtained during the drill. Early impressions were of a successful exercise. The objectives were
- Evaluate the coordination of the Ministry with the Autonomous Communities (CCAA) upon notification of an outbreak of FMD in Spain.
- Analyze the existence and effectiveness of contingency plans against the disease.
- Assess the capacity of veterinary services of the CCAA to identify farms that could be affected as a result of an outbreak.
- Evaluate the performance of the veterinary services of the ACs in case they have to send samples to the laboratory potentially infected with FMD.
- To study the response of the national reference laboratory should receive samples of the disease.
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