FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE PCP pathwayFOOT & MOUTH DISEASE PCP pathway

Report LebanonReport Lebanon

Official name: Republic of Lebanon

Capital: Beirut

Area: 10,452 sq km

Population: 3,874,050 (2006 estimate)  Population growth rate: 1.23 %

Lebanon is bounded on the North, east and southeast by Syria, on the south by Palestine, on the west by the Mediterranean sea.

Basic Facts

Animal Animal population in Lebanon

Animal Number

Sheep 355 000

Goat 450 000

Pigs 20 000

Cattle/milk production 77 000

Wild susceptible (Reserves) 1100

FMD Current situation in Lebanon 1/2

Strategic plan including a Disease Control Strategies, Control Policies and Control

Measures applied in case of suspicion or conformation of epizootic diseases updated

annually.

FMD is a notifiable disease in Lebanon WAHIS

http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Countryinformation/Animalsituation

No outbreak of FMD has been recorded in Lebanon since March 2010

Mass vaccination has been applied in the whole country twice a year

Capacity building and awareness supported.

Data collecting and communication program.

http://test.agriculture.gov.lb/NADSS/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fNADSS%2fhome.asp

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Update of the Quarantine law and risk profiling.

Strengthening Lebanese Quarantine Veterinary Services, FWC COM 2011 - LOT 1

Financial requirements provided.

Support and assistance from IOs

OIE Twinning Project (Italy – Lebanon)

FMD Current situation in Lebanon 2/2

Mass vaccination is conducted twice yearly in all Lebanon, considered as 1

epidemiology unit and the vaccine applied is safe and potent.

It is matching with field strains identified in 2010, A Iran 05 & O panasia,

The vaccination coverage is measured at animal level (number of animals

vaccinated/total number of susceptible animals): All cattle vaccinated and sheep and

goat in high risk spot areas.

Regular inspection missions are conducted by the VS to assess level of compliance with

the biosecurity measures and movement control using mainly the animal

identification system and the registration of farms.

It is clearly established that the impact of FMD is being reduced to no occurrence by the control measures

implemented (vaccination & biosecurity)

• Table vaccination numbers of FMD in provinces during 2013

Provinces Cattle Sheep & Goat

Baalbeck 15 000 200

Mount Lebanon 8 500 65

North Lebanon 7000 50

Akkar 12 000 190

South Lebanon 6 500 60

Nabatiyeh 9 000 55

Bekaa 19 000 185

Description of FMD control strategy

Aim & Rationale:

1- PCP Stage 1 accomplishment

2- Embarking Stage 2:

a- Strategic plan reducing FMD impact

b- Development of enabling relevant environment

3- Ongoing monitoring &risk mitigation

4-Annual updating

5- Support & Assistance of IOs

To have a comprehensive plan to gain insight into the epidemiology and socio-economic impact of FMD:

The Veterinary Services in Lebanon established a strategic plan (2010-2015) for surveillance and control of major animal diseases prevailing in the country including FMD and PPR, and where Lebanon is considered as one epidemiological unit : link to the Project……

In this project the followings are described:

The distribution of FMD in the country is well described and understood and a ‘working hypothesis’ of how FMD circulates in the country has been developed,

Socio-economic impacts of FMD on different stakeholders have been estimated. Identification of circulating FMD strains based on the samples taken in 2009/2010

from outbreaks isolates and tested in Pirbright Reference Laboratory There has been progress towards developing an enabling environment for control

activities. The country demonstrates transparency and commitment to participating in

regional FMD control with neighboring countries (Syria and Jordan). Important risk hotspots for FMD transmission are identified, through collecting

data and establishing a computerized system

Accomplishment PCP Stage 1

A strategic FMD control plan that has the aim of reducing the impact of FMD in at least one zone or husbandry sector is developed

To enter stage 2:

Strategic plan adopted

8.1 Is there an official and documented FMD control strategy? 1

8.2 Is this strategy endorsed officially by the Veterinary Services? 1

8.3 Are the activities clearly designed to mitigate the risk posed by FMD in the target zone(s)/sector(s)? 1

Stakeholder support8.4 Have the likely impacts (positive and negative) of the control measures on all stakeholders been considered?

1

8.5 Have key stakeholders been consulted and do they endorse this strategy? 1

Quality indicators

8.6 Does the strategic plan include measurable targets to reduce the impact of FMD? 1

8.7 Does it include measurable targets/indicators for implementation? 1

8.8Are the roles and responsibilities for veterinary staff, farmers and other stakeholders clearly defined in the strategy?

1

8.9Is there a specified timeline for implementation of the strategy? 5 years (2010-2015)

1

8.10 Is there a specific budget estimated to implement planned activities? 1

8.11Is there a specific funding mechanism to implement FMD-related activities?

1

Lebanon is considered as one epidemiological unit and risk of

reintroduction of the disease being considered using:

robust epidemiological data collected from all provinces with risk analysis.

With respect to the system of rearing, 30% of the livestock is raised in large scale

commercial farms where products are sold to slaughter houses & to factories to

be processed. The rest is being reared in small scale farms not exceeding 10

cows / farm.

A sero-survey, specifically designed to estimate FMD incidence been done

regularly through all the territory especially in high spots risk areas and at border

lines.

Ongoing monitoring of circulating strains and risk in different husbandry systems:

More particularly on border lines with Syria where transhumance sometime

going on.(collaboration with Syria reduced the potential occurrence).

The Fanar Laboratory is conducting testing and vaccine monitoring.

Lebanon is mainly an importing country (85% of its need). Control measures

are strictly implemented on BIPs and import requirements (import from

FMD free countries and quarantine measures at origin) are respected.

Risk based control measures are implemented for all the territory, based on the FMD strategic control plan

developed in Stage 1.

The organizational structure for FMD control with differentiation of roles and

responsibilities is well described in the strategic plan and enforced by the laws of

the country allowing the VS to apply all control measures needed.

The VS organize regular meetings with public and private stakeholders, including

private veterinarians on the implementation of FMD control measures, early

warning and extension programs.

Also training courses for field vets on FMD surveillance and outbreak

investigation are regularly held, some under IOs umbrella.

Stakeholders report suspected cases of FMD regularly to the VS but all were

confirmed non FMD ones until to day.

There is further development of an enabling environment for control measures:

that has the aim of eliminating FMD from at least a zone of the

country (the Grand Beirut Mohafaza),

To reach OIE official recognition of its plan (PCP stage 3).

The strategy include a contingency plan for rapid detection and

effective response activities to all FMD outbreaks if occurred.

The plan is also endorsed by high level authorities and main

stakeholders in the country.

An annual revision of the strategic plan of 2010 is conducted and more aggressive control strategy been

developed:

a- Lebanon is fulfilling PCP stage 2 requirements and embarking to stage 3.

b- The VS with the collaboration of FAO/OIE/EU are enforcing and

updating the strategic plan on surveillance of major animal diseases.

c- Strengthening capabilities and capacities of the VS to overcome gaps.

d- Improvement of the capabilities of the national laboratory.

e- Encouraging communication, awareness and more involvement of the

stakeholders and the private sector.

f- Continuous strict control of risk high spots and movement of animals.

Conclusion