Consistency and reliability of official controls is fundamental for disease surveillance. The variability in backgrounds and age of those involved has a potential to lead to discrepancies in the baseline knowledge. Here, 2 types of online teaching are shown which are easily deliverable to large cohorts at remote locations. The first format is a CPD designed as formative assessment and delivered online to professionals undertaking official controls. Formative assessment (FA) allows for the participant to learn whilst tackling a challenge in a supported manner. This “enjoyable” challenge makes the activity more engaging and the anonymity removes worries of outside judgement. In addition, following feedback, the participant can assess their own knowledge build up and/or determine the areas where they would benefit from further study. The second format, is a virtual “escape room” using Microsoft One Note. This was a self-directed exercise where participants in the virtual session were divided into different breakout rooms and set tasks with a minor competition element of let’s see who gets to the end first. Both of these formats are already being applied in further contexts showing their reproducibility and benefit.

This research shows how Virtual Reality (VR) can be used as a biosecurity training tool to better equip animal industry workers to undertake emergency animal disease surveillance.
A pilot training application for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) education using VR is being developed in 2 phases by Australian VR company Novus Res Pty Ltd in partnership with the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and the European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (EuFMD). The aim is to determine how VR can be used as a cost-effective, scalable and realistic tool for FMD-related emergency training and response purposes.

The spread of infection amongst livestock depends not only on the traits of the pathogen and the livestock themselves but also on the veterinary health behaviours of farmers and how this impacts their implementation of disease control measures. Disease management practices employed by livestock owners can vary, due to differing responses to complex factors such as increased awareness of disease risks, pressure to conform to social expectations and the direct imposition of animal health regulations. Controls that are costly may make it beneficial for individuals to rely on the protection offered by others, though that may be sub-optimal for the population. Therefore, failing to account for socio-behavioural properties may produce a substantial layer of bias in infectious disease models.

The occurrence of transboundary animal diseases (TADs) causes serious socio-economic consequences, as it affects productivity, welfare, livelihoods, food security and trade. Communities that mainly depend on livestock are the most vulnerable, and the consequences of TADs may vary within and across countries/areas depending on the disease and its spread, the structure of the livestock sector, the social context and related control strategies. Therefore, it is often difficult to provide systematic estimates of their economic impact. The objective of this study was to develop a tool for the economic evaluation of any TADs affecting ruminants, by adapting and validating the already available tool for swine disease outbreaks, known as OutCosT-Pig.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is an international epidemic disease that infects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle and swine. FMD is one of the most highly contagious viral diseases that causes devastating economic losses. There are seven FMD viruses (FMDv) serotypes, O, A, Asia1, C, SAT1, SAT2 and SAT3. The wide range of hosts, ability of small doses to infect, rapid replication, high levels of viral excretion and multiple forms of transmission make FMD difficult to control and eradicate. Since FMD can spread fast and cannot be differentiated clinically from other vesicular diseases such as vesicular stomatitis (VS) and swine vesicular disease (SVD), rapid and specific identification of the agent is of utmost concern. In regards with those international sanitary needs, Innovative Diagnostics has launched a Double Antibody Sandwich (DAS) antigen ELISA for rapid and specific multi-serotype FMDv detection.

Environmental sampling enables disease surveillance beyond regular investigation of clinical cases, extending data on the circulation of a pathogen in a specific area. Developing straightforward, low technology methods suitable for use in field conditions is key to the inclusion of such approaches alongside traditional surveillance techniques. Here we present methods to improve the collection and shipping of environmental samples, including recovery of infectious virus, pooling of samples and recovery of virus from dry swabs.

This research was commissioned by the EUFMD and its partners, the Veterinary World Association and Health for Animals as part of the needs assessment to guide implementation of the project “Sustainable business in animal health through training of veterinary paraprofessionals. The project aims to increase livestock productivity among small holder farmers in Nigeria through competency and capacity development of veterinary paraprofessionals (VPPs). The goal of the research is to explore capacity building opportunities for Veterinary Paraprofessionals and suggest the most appropriate modes of delivery of such training. The study looked critically at the issues around barriers to inclusive delivery of online/digital based trainings especially from the gender perspective. training modalities.

Digital tools provide ample opportunities for fast communication, monitoring and quick risk assessment. A veterinary workforce that embraces new technologies and makes use of available tools can at large contribute to better preparedness and response to FAST disease outbreaks and beyond. Training, including digital training (DT), can hugely support the digital transformation of veterinary practice. DT in particular can increase outreach in a harmonized approach, facilitate access to more veterinary healthcare workers - even those established in remote areas, allow the individualization of the learning process and be cost-effective. It can also be an important tool for increasing resilience both in peace and crisis periods, such as in cases of FAST disease outbreaks. This review discusses opportunities and policy gaps related to the use of DT for continuous professional development (CPD) of the veterinary workforce.

The SEACFMD campaign is a large, complex, and ambitious undertaking that aims to boost livestock productivity and economic output by controlling and eradicating FMD in South-East Asia, China, and Mongolia. Throughout the Campaign, a variety of learning resource materials for communication have been developed in conjunction with national veterinary services and partners. Various means of dissemination have also been used.
The emergence of cloud computing has brought forth a variety of opportunities, such as knowledge management. Utilizing the power of the cloud, Microsoft SharePoint Online, a feature of the Office 365 service, provides out-of-the-box support for implementing Knowledge Management as a Service. Here, we present the SEACFMD portal, a web-accessible archive of digitally available learning resources, as well as an interactive visualization dashboard of FMD situation in Southeast Asia.

The research gives a new approach to the detection of foot and mouth disease (FMD) using deep learning techniques. The purpose of this study is to provide a timely and accurate early detection of FMD in cattle based on the symptoms. There is a shortage of veterinary specialists across the country due to brain drain which leaves farmer’s cattle vulnerable, timeous advice for the detection of FMD as the disease leads to loss of production of livestock meats and also milk to farmers and also a major impediment as countries with foot and mouth faces trade restrictions moreover the disease is difficult and costly to control and eradicate.