Tabletop exercise tests draft Foot and Mouth Disease Integrated Emergency Response Plan

On January 28, 2025, Animal Health Canada in collaboration with Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and industry stakeholders, hosted an in-person Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Working Group meeting in Ottawa, Ontario to test the draft Integrated Emergency Response Plan (IERP). The tabletop exercise identified gaps and refined strategies for vaccination, biosecurity, and outbreak management. Hypothetical outbreak scenarios highlighted challenges in depopulation, biosecurity, and communication. The team is continuing to refine the IERP, prioritize gaps, and develop a roadmap to enhance Canada’s FMD preparedness. A final draft of the IERP and accompanying gaps document will be delivered by March 31, 2025 which will guide stakeholders into the next steps.