Animal Health Surveillance workshop in Herceg Novi, Montenegro 13 July 2022

SAFOSO AG implemented an Animal Health Surveillance workshop in Montenegro on 13 July 2022 for various veterinary competent authorities in the Balkan region with the main objectives of introducing the concept and methods for improving passive surveillance through the identification and collection of individual and population health indicators and discussing its impact on early detection of Foot and Mouth Disease and similar transboundary (FAST) diseases. The EU-FMD supported this workshop under its Pillar I framework. The feasibility and benefits of adopting and integrating of such a passive surveillance system in the current national surveillance efforts were discussed.

The workshop was implemented as a hybrid event. Most participants from Serbia, Albania, Türkiye, Montenegro, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Bosnia & Hercegovina participated face to face in Herceg Novi in Montenegro while a minority was connected remotely.  

The workshop was well received by the target countries, some of which expressed a clear interest in pursuing the development of a system for passive surveillance through the identification and collection of individual and population health indicators based on their needs. An initial scoping mission in interested countries and in collaboration with national competent authorities was recommended to explore further needs, the current surveillance systems in place and the IT environment among other aspects.