The 44th Ordinary Meeting of the South American Commission for the Fight Against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (COSALFA) will be held in Pirenopolis, Goiás - Brazil, April 6-7, 2017.
The Hemispheric Program for the Eradication of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (PHEFA) is entering a new phase: with more than five years since last FMD outbreak in the South America’s free countries and zone and more than three years since last notification in countries and zones without FMD sanitary recognition. Actions are being carried out with the aim to prepare the region for the transition to a FMD free-without-vaccination status, along with implementing sub-regional strategies giving priority to technical cooperation for the sanitary recognition of countries not yet recognized as FMD free.
In this context, COSALFA 44, in accordance with its mandate, will review the current FMD situation and discuss the challenges of implementing the final phase the of the PHEFA’s Action Plan 2011-2020. COSALFA 44 will also address, among other issues, the following: the FMD Regional Antigens/Vaccines Bank (BANVACO); the management of FMD exogenous virus strains; the serotype C in the systematic vaccination programs, and; the funding of the national FMD programs of countries initiating the transition to a free without vaccination status.
Prior to COSALFA 44 meeting, on April 3-4, 2017, on the same venue will be held the International Seminar “PHEFA’s Last Stage: Transition toward eradication”. 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 is promoted by the Pan-American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Center (PANAFTOSA) of the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and for this edition will receive support from the Brazilian Government through the Animal and Plant Health and inspection Secretariat (SDA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA), and from the Government of the State of Goiás through the Agency for Animal and Plant Health Defense (AGRODEFESA).
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