MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

OIE confirms Falklands Veterinary Services exercise of a simulated FMD outbreak

Ross Milner, Veterinary Officer, Falkland Islands Government, informed the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) that a desk-top simulation exercise involving a simulated outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) took place in Stanley, Falkland Islands on 30 October 2019.

The simulation exercise was carried out by the Falkland Islands Government Veterinary Services.

The purpose of the exercise was to test the newly upgraded standard operating procedure (SOP) for responding to an emergency disease outbreak (An emergency disease as defined in Ausvet protocols).

In the simulation a farmer rang into report a disease outbreak in his pigs, with pictures sent on his mobile phone. The veterinary officer responsible for taking the call then carried out a simulated investigation; decisions were made following protocol guidance, and then a response involving stamping out and eradication.

The full veterinary team attended the desk top exercise, together with heads of police, fire service, public works department, biosecurity and emergency services.