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    Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Real-time Training Program

    Department of Agriculture and Water Resources logo

    Australian Chief Veterinary Officer
    Emergency Animal Disease Advisory Group
    Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Real-time Training Program


    RECOMMENDATION


    1. That the Advisory Group:
    a) NOTES the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the Department) has an
    agreement with the European Commission for the Control of Foot and Mouth Disease
    (EuFMD) to deliver four additional real-time training courses for Australians in Nepal in
    2016;


    b) NOTES the Department is conducting a merit based selection process to appoint
    participants for 10 Commonwealth-funded placements. The funding includes in-country
    costs (training materials, meals, accommodation, transfers, personal protective equipment
    and disinfectants). All other expenses, including airfares, travel and medical insurance, are
    the responsibility of the nominating organisation;


    c) AGREES to provide online nominations (including a statement from individuals based on
    the criteria in this paper, see Attachment A) for the positions funded by the Department,
    by close of business Friday 29 January 2016, through the following link:
    https://kellymaher.wufoo.com/forms/riuevut14kk3zc.


    BACKGROUND


    2. The FMD real-time training program in Nepal was implemented in 2012 to improve Australia’s
    early detection and response capacity for an outbreak of FMD. The program provides an
    opportunity for Australian veterinarians and stock handlers to recognise, report, and
    investigate first-hand, an outbreak of FMD.


    3. The agreement is cost-shared between the Department, certain state jurisdictions and industry
    bodies, and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries.


    4. To date, 152 Australians have participated in the training. Around 40 more will participate in
    2016.


    DISCUSSION


    5. Two courses were postponed in May 2015 because of the earthquake in Nepal. These courses
    were rescheduled for December 2015.


    6. Safety of trainees and trainers is the program’s highest priority. The Department of Foreign
    Affairs and Trade (DFAT) are advising travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in Nepal
    although certain districts (including those affected by the 2015 earthquakes) are rated as a
    higher risk. This grading is consistent with DFAT’s advice for travellers to Nepal prior to the
    earthquakes. Trainees will not visit areas rated by DFAT as ‘reconsider your need to travel’ or
    higher as part of the training program.


    7. It is a mandatory requirement that all participants purchase travel insurance to cover their
    visit. Trainees are covered by the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Non-staff Traveller
    insurance policy for the duration of the course however this does not include helicopter
    evacuation or liability for lost travel costs.


    8. Certain state jurisdictions and industry bodies have elected to purchase course positions in
    addition to the 10 being provided by the Department. These organisations will provide
    nominations for their fully-funded candidates through a separate process. They may also
    nominate additional candidates for places part-funded by the Department.


    9. Training courses will continue to be delivered in two streams – epidemiology and clinical – to
    target the background of trainees. Members of both streams work together throughout the
    course, and there are opportunities for cross learning between the two groups.


    10. Nominations for the epidemiological team should include those with a reasonable level of
    veterinary, FMD, or epidemiological knowledge. This group should include veterinary or
    technical staff that would be expected to undertake early suspect FMD investigations and have
    a role undertaking (or coordinating) field epidemiological investigations and response
    measures, such as from a Local Control Centre during an emergency animal disease response
    in Australia. The focus of this training is to undertake field epidemiological investigations and
    to develop advice on local response measures during the real time training program.


    11. Nominations for the clinical team should include those who actively work in the field (e.g.
    farms, feedlots, livestock markets and abattoirs) and see large numbers of livestock as part of
    their work. The focus of this training will be FMD lesion recognition, as well as developing skills
    in lesion ageing and sampling capabilities.


    12. Raising general awareness of FMD is an important objective of these courses, and the
    Department expects that participants will share their learning with other stakeholders (e.g.
    producers, veterinarians, veterinary students, government officials, or industry bodies) after
    the course. Nominees will be evaluated on their proposed extension activities. Activities may
    include, but are not limited to, print media and radio interviews, presentations and training
    courses, distribution of the course report, informal discussions with stakeholders,
    development of posters and other materials.


    13. Biosecurity precautions are undertaken during and after the course, including:
    a) the use of personal protective equipment during visits to infected premises and the
    disinfection of all relevant clothing and equipment;


    b) notification of the flight details of returning participants to Departmental staff at Australian
    airports; and


    c) Participants signing a declaration requiring them not to enter any premises where there
    are FMD susceptible livestock for a period of seven days from the finish of the training
    course.


    Prepared by Kelly Maher – Animal Health Policy Branch, Department of Agriculture and Water
    Resources
    3 December 2015
    Cleared by Robyn Martin – Assistant Secretary, Animal Health Policy Branch, Department of
    Agriculture and Water Resources
    3 December 2015

     

     

    Attachment A: Selection criteria

    Selection criteria for Departmental funded places on FMD real time training courses
    Nominating organisations are required to upload a brief written statement from candidates
    addressing the selection criteria below. The statement must be less than 750 words in total.
    Selection criteria for candidates


    1. Career summary.


    2. Experience in conducting formal or informal extension activities (e.g. delivering
    presentations, workshops, development of communications material, media interviews
    etc.)


    3. Brief explanation of proposed extension activities the candidate may undertake to raise
    awareness of FMD following the course.


    4. Relevant training and experience in emergency management, emergency animal disease
    preparedness and response, animal health education and training, and/or membership of
    professional organisations.

    Applications can be submitted at https://kellymaher.wufoo.com/forms/riuevut14kk3zc by close of
    business Friday 29 January 2016.

     

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