FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE PCP pathway Report 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 AnimalNumber Sheep Goat Pigs Cattle/milk production 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 n  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. x  Update of the Quarantine law and risk profiling. Strengthening Lebanese Quarantine Veterinary Services, FWC COM 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 ProvincesCattleSheep & Goat Baalbeck Mount Lebanon North Lebanon Akkar South Lebanon Nabatiyeh Bekaa

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 ( ) 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 8.1Is there an official and documented FMD control strategy? 1 8.2Is this strategy endorsed officially by the Veterinary Services? 1 8.3Are the activities clearly designed to mitigate the risk posed by FMD in the target zone(s)/sector(s)? 1 Stakeholder support 8.4Have the likely impacts (positive and negative) of the control measures on all stakeholders been considered? 1 8.5Have key stakeholders been consulted and do they endorse this strategy? 1 Quality indicators 8.6Does the strategic plan include measurable targets to reduce the impact of FMD? 1 8.7Does it include measurable targets/indicators for implementation? Are the roles and responsibilities for veterinary staff, farmers and other stakeholders clearly defined in the strategy? Is there a specified timeline for implementation of the strategy? 5 years ( ) Is there a specific budget estimated to implement planned activities? Is 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