Better detection of transboundary animal diseases
TADs are highly contagious or transmissible diseases which can spread very rapidly, irrespective of national borders, posing a serious threat to livestock. Additionally, their potential consequences to society and economy necessitate the development of more effective strategies to prevent such epidemics from occurring. The EU is encouraging initiatives that promote monitoring of animal welfare and the onset of these transboundary animal diseases. The principal objective of the EU-funded project ‘Upgrading and introduction of sustainable diagnostic tools for the major transboundary diseases of animals in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’ (TRANSB DIS ANIM MK) was to develop and implement diagnostic methods for Avian influenza (AI), foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), Blue tongue (BT) and classical swine fever (CSF). As a first step, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University Stt. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje was upgraded in terms of equipment. Furthermore, local scientists introduced serological, virological (egg inoculation and cell culture) and the most modern molecular methods (conventional PCR, real-time PCR and genome sequencing) that facilitated detection of AI, FMD, BT and CSF. These implemented methods were subsequently evaluated by the project’s EU partners and the results were disseminated to local veterinary authorities and neighbour countries through a workshop. Overall, the TRANSB DIS ANIM MK project set up new technologies and brought the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia up to EU standards in terms of the detection and efficient monitoring of TADs. Implementation of these methods will contribute to more effective disease monitoring and improve animal health in the area.
