Picorna 09 international FMD Real Time Exercise Austria 3.-5. June 2009 Mag. Simon Stockreiter Dep. II/B/11 Animal Welfare, Animal Health and Zoonoses Federal Ministry of Health, Vienna, AUSTRIA
legal bases EU: Council Directive 2003/85/EC of 29 September 2003 on Community measures for the control of foot-and-mouth disease (Article 73 and Annex XVII) national: Austrian Animal Disease Act (Tierseuchengesetz), RGBl1909/177 FMD Directive (MKS Verordnung) BGBl II 2008/199 National Contingency Plan for FMD
objectives test efficiency of the contingency plans and practical training with focus on: cooperation of authorities communication chain of command public relations international cooperation
participants Austria Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) Federal Counties of Vorarlberg, Tyrol and Salzburg Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES, NRL) Federal Ministry for National Defense and Sport (BMLVS) Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) Germany Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Public Health Ministerium für Ernährung und ländlichen Raum, Baden Württemberg Switzerland Federal veterinary office (BVET) Liechtenstein Amt fürlebensmittelkontrolleund Veterinärwesen(ALKVW)
workshops 6 workshops between March and September 2009: Personal Protective Equipment (DVG & Regierungspräsidium Tübingen/Baden Württemberg, D) Media Training Crisis communication (Government of Vorarlberg; AT) Ethic Aspects of Killing Measures in Case of FMD Outbreaks (Vetsuisse& BVET; CH) FMD- clinic, sampling and epidemiology (Bayrisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit; D) VIS workshop (computerized system used by Austrian authorities) (Federal Ministry of Health; AT) Picorna 09 The Day After (Federal Ministry of Health; AT)
roles according to the Austrian Contingency Plan: only for the purpose of the exercise: Veterinary authorities: OV on the spot (C.C.O.S.) Local Crisis Center(L.C.C.) National Crisis Center(N.C.C.) assistance Police Federal Armed Forces Fire Brigades director - focal point of scenario national andinternational observers evaluation
flow chart C.C.O.S L.C.C. N.C.C.
scenario day 1: clinical suspicion of an FMD outbreak in a holding in Vorarlberg; samples are taken and transport to the NRL via helicopter is organized; LCC and NCC are activated; laboratory tests are initiated; epidemiological enquiries show contact holdings in Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg and Germany; at the end of day one 7 holdings in Austria are under restriction; Restriction Zones are prepared to be installed after confirmation; day 2: FMD suspicion is confirmed by NRL. Restriction zones are established, they affect Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany; culling (theoretically!), disinfection measures in affected farms, epidemiological enquiries continued; day 3: practical exercise is finished. Meeting and debriefing of all participiants in Vorarlberg;
C.C.O.S. - Crisis Center on the spot = official veterinarian(s) and staff on affected farms suspicion: clinical inspection and sampling report of suspicion to LCC ban of holding detailed inquiry of relevant farm data epidemiological enquiries quarantine measures record all measures confirmation: supervision and coordination of culling/disinfection/animal disposal teams
L.C.C. - Local Crisis Center = Veterinary Authorities of the federal counties, crisis squad suspicion: immediate report of suspicion to NCC urgent measures to avoid spread preparation of restriction zones call for assistance towards army, police and fire brigades tracing forward and tracing back other epidemiological inquiries record all measures confirmation: demarcation of restriction zones organization of culling/disinfection/animal disposal measures public relations
N.C.C. - National Crisis Center = Federal Ministry of Health, crisis squad Neighbour Countries suspicion: national & international notifications supervision of measures taken coordination of measures in federal counties press work activation of expert groups communication (telephone conferences) confirmation: develop combatting and containing measures national & international notifications & reports supervision of culling/disinfection/animal disposal public relations
assistance Armed Forces disinfection of staff, buildings and means of transports transport of samples provision of personnel and equipment Police assistance concerning banning measures (road blocks) transport of samples if necessary enforcement of vet. measures Animal Disposal Squad culling and disposal of dead animals Fire Brigades provision of personnel and equipment
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lessons learned taking into account direct feedback and evaluation of observers: national and international communication cooperation within the Crisis Centers use of computerized system establish contacts to international experts C.C.O.S.,L.C.C. and N.C.C. experienced problems due to huge effort of detailed documentation practical work instructions for veterinarians could be improved in case of larger outbreaks additional personnel would be essential in case of international restriction zones the different flow of work in countries caused difficulties; previous accord would be helpful
lessons learned general notes The profoundness of the exercise has to be defined in detail. A compromise between realism and learning effect of all participants has to be found. The internationality of the exercise was judged very positively. However, exercises with only national attendance may allow more severe and constructive critic among participants. The necessity of training concerning coordination of national and international work flows during Peace Times is obvious. Additional exercises with a smaller scope allow to deal with certain problems in a more detailed way and should be done on a regular base.
possible direct impact of real time exercises update and evaluate important contacts (names, mail, phonenumbers) +++ ++ + - raise vigilanceof authorities concerning highly contagious animal diseases raise vigilance of politics, media and population concerning highly contagious animal diseases long term issues concerningsufficient staff finances possibilities for disposal (animals, milk, meat,..) check andrearm necessary equipment train practical skills (sampling, biosecurity, epidemiological enquiries,..) increasing speed of acquiration ofassistance teams and equipment aquiring sufficient personell andequipment for large outbreaks practical use of computerized systems (VIS) effects on theindustries & tourism intensify personal contacts role of media evaluate contingency plans and work instructions psycological issues political influences
Thank You for Your Attention!