Egypt conducts simulation exercise to combat transboundary animal diseases

Egypt's General Organization for Veterinary Services, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), conducted a tabletop simulation exercise to test the national emergency plan for transboundary animal diseases. The exercise used Rift Valley fever as a simulation model.

Supported by the World Bank, the initiative aims to enhance Egypt's resilience against pandemics. Approximately 40 representatives from the ministries of agriculture, health and population, and local development and environment participated. The exercise focused on evaluating early warning mechanisms, surveillance, field investigation, diagnosis, and veterinary quarantine procedures.

Key outcomes included updating operational plans, defining roles and responsibilities among stakeholders, and developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for field teams across various governorates. The effort follows the ‘One Health’ approach to ensure a coordinated national response to epidemic threats, protecting human, animal, and environmental health.