Applying WOAH Standards to Combat Bluetongue and FMD: Highlights from the Regional Webinar for EAEU Countries

In response to an evolving epidemiological landscape, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Regional Representation for Europe, in partnership with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), convened a webinar on June 30, 2025. The event brought together over 190 animal health leaders, Chief Veterinary Officers, and scientific experts from across Europe and Central Asia, but also from other regions globally, to forge a united front against the escalating threats of Bluetongue (BT) and Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). 

The Challenge: A New Disease Landscape 

The urgency of the webinar was driven by recent and significant shifts in animal health across the region between 2023 and 2025. Participants addressed the emergence and spread of new Bluetongue virus serotypes, notably BTV-3 and BTV-8, which are posing new diagnostic and control challenges. 

Simultaneously, the region is facing the re-emergence of FMD serotype O and the looming threat of incursions of exotic serotypes like SAT1 from the Near East. These developments jeopardize livestock health, food security, and international trade, demanding a coordinated and forward-thinking response. 

Highlights from the discussion 

The webinar served as a vital platform for sharing national experiences and scientific updates from world-renowned reference laboratories, including The Pirbright Institute (UK), IZS Teramo (Italy), and ARRIAH (Russia). 

Key takeaways from the sessions included: 

• Bluetongue Control: Experts emphasized the need for enhanced entomological surveillance to understand the behavior of Culicoides biting midges, the vectors for the disease. Countries like Austria and Portugal shared valuable lessons from their recent battles with outbreaks, highlighting the success of combining vaccination with strict movement controls. 

• FMD Preparedness and Success: A major highlight was Germany’s successful campaign to regain its FMD-free status without vaccination just three months after a 2025 outbreak. This case study provided a powerful example of effective emergency response, surveillance, and adherence to WOAH international standards. Presentations from Hungary and Slovakia also reinforced the importance of robust contingency planning. 

• The Power of Collaboration: Speakers from WOAH, FAO, and the European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (EuFMD) reinforced the role of global frameworks like GF-TADs in creating regional roadmaps for disease control and building essential capacity.