Location: Foreign Animal Disease Research
Project Number: 3022-32000-064-045-N
Project Type: Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 6, 2024
End Date: Jul 31, 2025
Objective:
This agreement's objective is to facilitate a collaborative effort between ARS and the Cooperator to plan and conduct a "Foot-and-Mouth Disease Symposium" in Manhattan, Kansas, in 2025. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a globally significant disease affecting cattle, swine, and other livestock, posing substantial threats to animal health, international trade, and food security.
The goals of the FMD symposium include:
• Expand FMD research collaborations and intelligence exchange among scientists, government agencies, and stakeholders globally.
• Enhance understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of FMD in endemic regions through shared research and experiences.
• Discuss and evaluate surveillance, response, and mitigation strategies for controlling FMD outbreaks in endemic regions and explore how these strategies could be applied or extrapolated to FMD-free regions like the United States.
• Highlight the application of model-based approaches to improve understanding of FMD ecology and epidemiology in endemic areas.
• Identify modeling techniques and approaches that could be used to assess the risk of FMD introduction and disease spread in FMD-free regions, as well as identify available data from surveillance efforts, field sampling, and laboratory diagnostics.
Through this symposium, ARS and the Cooperator seek to maximize the use of resources and expertise, fostering a collaborative environment that enhances research, preparedness, and response capabilities against potential FMD outbreaks, ultimately contributing to safeguarding animal health and securing the agricultural economy.
Approach:
ARS and the Cooperator will collaboratively plan and execute the "Foot-and-Mouth Disease Symposium" in Manhattan, Kansas 2025. The approach will involve a series of coordinated activities to ensure the symposium's success, including the following elements:
1. Symposium Planning and Organization: Outline major symposium themes to focus on the ecology, epidemiology, surveillance, response, and mitigation of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). Identify key participants, stakeholders, and presenters from around the world, with particular emphasis on involvement from the Global FMD Research Alliance (GFRA).
2. Hybrid Format Implementation: Conduct the symposium using a hybrid format, allowing for in-person and remote/virtual attendance through video conferencing. This format will enhance accessibility and participation from a global audience.
3. Agenda Development: Develop a comprehensive agenda that includes keynote presentations, panel discussions, and breakout sessions. The agenda will cover topics of interest to the GFRA and other industry stakeholders, promoting a wide-ranging exchange of knowledge and expertise.
4. Breakout Group Facilitation: Organize and facilitate breakout groups during the symposium to discuss focal topics in greater detail. These sessions will encourage active participation and in-depth discussions among attendees.
5. Documentation and Recording: Ensure all symposium events and content are well documented and recorded. These materials will be available to participants and other interested parties after the meeting to extend the symposium's impact and reach.
6. Co-Hosting and Facilitation: ARS and the Cooperator staff will co-host the symposium, sharing responsibilities for facilitating sessions and serving as masters of ceremony (MC). This collaborative effort will ensure smooth operation and continuity throughout the event.
7. Participant Engagement and Networking: Foster opportunities for networking and engagement among participants through structured activities and informal interactions. This will help build lasting collaborations and partnerships among researchers, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
By implementing this structured approach, ARS and the Cooperator aim to create a productive and impactful symposium that advances the understanding and management of FMD, ultimately contributing to enhanced preparedness and response capabilities against potential outbreaks.
