SGE LSD12 – 12th meeting of of the Standing Group of Experts on Lumpy Skin Disease - WOAH

The 12th Standing Group of Experts on Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD SGE) for the Europe region took place online on March 2^nd, 2023, with the participation of experts from various countries and organizations, including the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and the European Union (EU).

The LSD SGE is responsible for the coordination, management, and surveillance of LSD, a contagious disease that affects cattle, in the Europe region. During the meeting, representatives from different countries provided updates on their activities related to vaccination and surveillance for LSD.

The participants noted that vaccination has been effective in southeast Europe, but ongoing evolutions in Asia and the Middle East suggest that the risk of disease reintroduction or reemergence in high-risk areas where LSD vaccination has ceased may still be present, especially in the Anatolian region of Turkey.

Based on the available epidemiological information, the results of LSD surveillance and LSD vaccination in 2022, and the risk of disease introduction from neighboring countries/territories, the participants discussed a set of recommendations for LSD vaccination and surveillance in 2023.

The recommendations include:

Mass vaccination with homologous vaccines should be considered in the countries still affected to eliminate the virus. Cessation of LSD vaccination should take place in a coordinated manner ensuring the continuation of the sub-regional coordinated policy of the previous years.
The quality of the vaccine should be aligned with the requirements of the WOAH Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals. Independent quality control of vaccines should be carried out, in collaboration with the EU Reference Laboratory for Capripox Viruses (LSD Reference laboratory), as a supportive tool to Member countries, prior to vaccination campaigns.
The decision of the competent authorities of a country/territory to continue or stop LSD vaccination in this country/territory or a zone thereof, in 2023, should be based, among other factors, on the LSD occurrence in the country/territory or zone in the previous years, the vaccination coverage achieved during the past 2 years, and the possible risk of disease introduction from neighboring countries/territories.
Passive surveillance should remain in place, in all countries/territories, throughout the year, with all clinical suspicions subject to lab tests to confirm or rule out LSD. Active surveillance should include at least periodical clinical visits in holdings and serological testing of non-immune animals.
All countries, members of the WOAH Regional Commission for Europe, affected or at risk for LSD, should collaborate within the GF-TADs Standing Group of Experts on LSD, and provide information on their decision to continue or stop LSD vaccination in 2023 and subsequent years as well as the LSD surveillance scheme they intend to implement.

The participants also stressed the importance of transparency at the international level, as a key element of TADs control. Without transparency, there can be no support.

In conclusion, the LSD SGE will continue to enhance coordination and cooperation between countries in the region and pursue the disengagement of vaccination when it is no longer needed. The next meeting is planned for the end of March, and Central Asian countries will be invited to discuss the LSD SGE.