SGE LSD14 - 14th meeting of the Standing Group of Experts on Lumpy Skin Disease

On March 5, 2025, two key online meetings took place under the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) umbrella:

• The 14^th Meeting of the Standing Group of Experts on Lumpy Skin Disease in Europe (SGE on LSD-14)
• The Webinar on Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) occurrence in the European Region

These sessions brought together international organisations (WOAH, FAO, European Commission, and EuFMD), reference laboratories’ experts, and country representatives to discuss the current epidemiological trends, control strategies, challenges, and future recommendations for managing LSD and PPR across Europe and neighboring regions. The discussions were particularly timely, given recent PPR outbreaks and the increasing risk of disease spread due to animal movement, trade, and environmental factors.

SGE on LSD-14: Key Discussions and Outcomes

Lumpy Skin Disease was successfully eradicated in Southeast Europe but continues to pose a significant threat to cattle populations, particularly in regions bordering infected areas. The SGE LSD-14 meeting provided an opportunity to assess the disease situation in different regions and refine strategies for prevention and control.

Key Presentations and highlights during the meeting:

• WOAH’s WAHIAD team provided an overview of the LSD epidemiological situation, detailing recent outbreaks, containment efforts, and disease notification trends.
• The European Reference Laboratory (EURL) for LSD shared updates on diagnostic advancements, laboratory findings, and vaccine effectiveness.
• DG SANTE representative discussed the LSD related activities at the EU level, including the current LSD epidemiological situation in Southeast Europe, LSD management (vaccination and surveillance), and EU support for surveillance and control measures against LSD.
• Country representatives from Türkiye and Kazakhstan delivered presentations on LSD occurrence, prevention efforts, and challenges.

During the discussion, the following conclusions and next steps were highlighted:

As regards Southeast Europe:

• LSD has been effectively controlled in Southeast Europe since its 2015 incursion, primarily due to coordinated vaccination campaigns using effective live homologous vaccines.
• Regional cooperation and coordination remain essential for the successful control and prevention of LSD.
• Mass vaccination of bovines, implemented in a coordinated way across large areas with highly effective vaccines, remains the most critical control strategy against LSD.
• Ensuring the timely availability of sufficient vaccine doses is a key factor for the successful implementation of vaccination programmes.
• Countries at risk should strengthen their preparedness by ensuring efficient and timely procurement of adequate vaccine supplies for immediate implementation when necessary.
• Continuous monitoring of the LSD epidemiological situation is crucial, and all countries in the European region of Europe must remain vigilant and ready to take swift action should the disease re-emerge.

As regards Central Asia:

• The LSD epidemiological situation is difficult to ascertain due to a lack of follow-up information on LSD occurrence and management since the last meeting of the Standing Group of Experts on Lumpy Skin Disease in Europe (SGE LSD 13 February 2024).
• The participation of the countries in the Central Asian region and the exchange of information have been limited, making it challenging to identify actions to ensure regional cooperation and coordination on LSD. At this stage, only Kazakhstan shared updated epidemiological information on the LSD situation and its management efforts.

The session on LSD concluded with a commitment to continued regional cooperation and a plan to monitor LSD management efforts closely in the coming months.  However, it was clarified that in the absence of major LSD events in Southeast Europe and given the limited active participation of the Central Asia countries, regular meetings of the Standing Group of Experts on Lumpy Skin Disease in Europe will be suspended until there is a clear commitment by the countries concerned and an indication by them of the need for support, as well as a willingness to engage and thus contribute added value in the coordination of control measures by GF-TADs Europe.

Webinar on Peste des Petits Ruminants occurrence in European Region

PPR has become an emerging threat in parts of Europe and surrounding regions, with several new outbreaks recorded in the past year. The webinar focused on disease trends, control measures, and regional strategies for prevention and eradication.

Key presentations and highlights:

• Dr. Dimitrios Dilaveris from DG SANTE provided a comprehensive overview of the current PPR situation in Europe, measures at EU level, highlighting affected regions and recent outbreaks, as well as control measures under EU legislation (stamping out and movement restrictions, without any vaccination)
• Dr. Arnaud Bataille, an expert from CIRAD – the European Union Reference Laboratory and WOAH Reference Laboratory shared insights from genetic sequencing and molecular epidemiology, helping to track the virus’s origins and pathways of transmission.
• Dr. Zorana Mehmedbasic (EuFMD) discussed the increased risk of FAST diseases (PPR, Sheep and Goat Pox, and Foot-and-Mouth Disease) in Southeast Europe, emphasizing potential entry routes and the importance of risk-based surveillance.
• Dr. Anna-Maria Baka (WOAH Status Department) presented on the recovery process for WOAH official PPR-free status, outlining the requirements for countries seeking to regain disease-free recognition.
• National representatives from Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Georgia, Türkiye, and Kazakhstan provided country updates on their PPR epidemiological situation, vaccination strategies (if any), and outbreak response measures.
• Dr. Charypkhan Duriya (Global PPR Secretariat) gave an update on the PPR Global Eradication Programme (GEP) and the latest steps taken toward global disease eradication.
• Dr. Mereke Taitubayev from WOAH presented Recommendations of PPR Roadmap/RAG meeting for West Eurasia that was held in 2023 and webinar recommendations in 2024, which included:

1. Enhance surveillance efforts based on updated risk assessments and early warning signals.
2. Increase awareness and education campaigns for veterinarians, farmers, and other stakeholders to ensure timely disease reporting.
3. Update national risk assessments and contingency plans with the latest data on PPR outbreaks and transmission patterns.
4. Encourage affected countries to share PPR samples with reference laboratories for genetic sequencing and epidemiological analysis.
5. Ensure transparency in disease reporting through timely notifications to WOAH’s WAHIS system and information-sharing within the GF-TADs platform.
6. Strengthen diagnostic capacity at the national level, ensuring PPR is included in differential diagnoses for suspected cases.

General conclusions

Both the SGE LSD-14 and PPR Webinar reaffirmed the critical need for regional collaboration, transparency in disease notification, science-driven policies, and proactive disease control measures. The discussions underscored the importance of:

• Early detection and rapid response to emerging and re-emerging diseases.
• Stronger engagement between veterinary authorities, policymakers, and regional and international organizations to ensure a coordinated and effective approach.
• Sustainable disease control strategies with regional coordination and cooperation between neighboring countries.
• The need to maintain and improve laboratory diagnostic capacity.
• Transparency for the timely and efficient sharing of epidemiological information.

As a next step, countries and stakeholders will continue working within the GF-TADs framework to implement these strategies, ensuring that both LSD and PPR prevention, management, and preparedness remain high priorities in the European and global animal health agenda.