Simulation exercise: African Swine Fever in Cuba

22 and 23 May 2021

Dr. Yobani Gutiérrez Ravelo, Director General of Animal Health Service of Cuba and Delegate to the OIE, informed the OIE that a simulation exercise will be held on 22 and 23 May in the framework of the “Meteoro” exercise to evaluate the early detection and response capacity of the Animal Health System to face a potential African swine fever (ASF) event in the national territory.

This exercise will include the following stages:

1. Surveillance and early warning.
2. Response capacity of the Animal Health System in Cuba.

Due to the limitations set by the Covid-19 pandemic, it will be held as a table-top exercise with national coverage to validate the structure of the veterinary service for the management of an African Swine Fever emergency, with roles and responsibilities at each level, as well as to review the procedures and protocols described for the actions to be taken, defining and listing the resources necessary for operation.
The response capacity of the epidemiological surveillance system will be also tested, following a notification in a base unit, determining the time in which the information flows through the notification system.

In Cuba, there is a Disaster Risk Reduction Plan, which is implemented under the leadership of the National Civil Defense Staff, the State body designated to direct and coordinate disaster response. As part of preparedness, an annual exercise called “Meteoro” is carried out and includes in each version simulations and actions to prepare for and reduce vulnerability to hazards of various kinds.

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World Animal Health Information and Analysis Department
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
[email protected]