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Welcome to the COSALFA 43

The 43th Ordinary Meeting of the South American Commission for the Fight Against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (COSALFA) will be held in Punta del Este, Uruguay, April 7-8, 2016.

PHEFA’s significant, sustained progress in the five years of implementation of its 2011-2020 Plan of Action moves into its last phase, when major challenges must be met on a priority basis. To this end, the Fifth COSALFA Special Meeting’s approval of the Technical Work Guide for the Last Phase was a major step for providing the free countries and zones with epidemiological guidelines and methods for a transition from a free status with vaccination to a free status without vaccination in a gradual, secure way. In addition, the progress achieved by those countries not yet recognized as free of foot-and-mouth disease should be consolidated.

In this context, COSALFA 43, in compliance with its mandate, will review the current situation of the challenges under PHEFA’s 2011-2020 Plan of Action, paying special attention to the territories that do not enjoy a recognized sanitary situation yet. In preparation for the final phase, it will also address the project of a foot-and-mouth disease antigens and vaccines regional bank and the private sector’s contribution to regional and subregional strategies.  In addition, COSALFA 43 will also update the picture of the risk of the Type C virus in the region.

Prior to COSALFA 43 meeting, on April 4-5, 2016, on the same venue will be held the International Seminar on “Technical Guide for the transition from the foot-and-mouth disease sanitary status in South America: implementation methods.” At that time, papers on the theme may be presented in Poster form, in accordance with the criteria for entering papers.

COSALFA is formed by 26 representatives of 13 countries of the American Continent, namely, one representative of the public sector, the Official Veterinary Service Director, and one of the private sector, representing the highest national association of livestock producers. The 13 countries are Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Venezuela, and Uruguay.

COSALFA 43 is promoted by the Pan-American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Center (PANAFTOSA) of the Pan-American Health Organization /World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), with  support from the Uruguayan Government, provided through the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries  (MGAP).

Deadline has passed

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