2017 SEACFMD Laboratory Network Meeting

OIE SRR-SEA, in collaboration with the Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute (LVRI)/OIE Reference Laboratory for FMD, organised the SEACFMD Laboratory Network meeting on September 26-28, 2017 in Lanzhou, China. The meeting gathered 35 representatives from laboratories of SEACFMD Member Countries and partner organisations and research institutes both within the region and further afield.

A key recommendation during the meeting was the application of more sensitive detection method such as Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) in support of the existing antigen ELISA due to the latter’s certain limitations in detecting FMDV.

The three-day meeting formally opened with welcome messages from Dr Qibin Yan, representative of China Ministry of Agriculture; Dr Yin Hong, Director General of LVRI; and Dr Ronello Abila, OIE Sub-Regional Representative for South-East Asia. They all highlighted the meeting as an excellent opportunity for in-depth discussions of pressing issues regarding FMD laboratory diagnosis and research, as well as how to improve regional cooperation on FMD surveillance and research. Dr Abila emphasized the important role of FMD Laboratory Network in support of SEACFMD activities such as promoting early detection and characterization of FMDVs, strengthening lab capacities, among others.

While most countries in the SEACFMD region are actively testing for FMD in their countries, samples submitted to the national laboratories are sometimes of poor quality and/or insufficient quantity. Subsequent submission to Reference Laboratories for confirmatory diagnosis and further characterization is likewise slow which restrain better understanding of FMDV epidemiology in the region. Potential technical approaches to address the current challenges were introduced by Dr Nagendra Singanallur from Australia Animal Health Laboratory. A brainstorming workshop was organized to encourage Member Countries to explore alternative sampling approaches and improve sample collection and submission to OIE Reference Laboratories to improve the real-time surveillance of FMDV in the region. The meeting recommended that OIE Reference Laboratories, in collaboration with research partners, develop brochures and conduct training on proper sample handling to improve the mechanism of sample collection and submission.