Foot-and-mouth disease workshop for the cantonal veterinary office (AVET Bern)

In November, we had the pleasure of delivering a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) workshop for the Cantonal Veterinary Office in Bern, Switzerland (AVET Bern), as part of their continuing education day. The workshop brought together the latest scientific insights with practical aspects relevant to Swiss veterinary services, offering a valuable space for discussion and exchange.

We explored the current global FMD situation, recent events, and evolving disease dynamics, with a particular focus on risk assessment for Switzerland. Building on this context, the workshop addressed key elements of FMD surveillance and control. Presentations on clinical signs, sampling procedures, and epidemiology were complemented by an interactive group exercise, in which participants worked through a fictitious outbreak suspicion scenario. This practical approach stimulated lively discussions and highlighted the complexity of early outbreak decision-making.

In the final part of the session, attention turned to vaccination strategies and vaccines, including effective vaccine characteristics, the role of vaccine and antigen banks, different vaccination approaches, and related economic and socio-economic considerations. The workshop concluded with an open discussion on preparedness, integrating perspectives shared throughout the day.

Through workshops like these, SAFOSO supports veterinary authorities in strengthening preparedness and resilience against transboundary animal diseases, bridging scientific knowledge and practical capacity-building