Nick Lyons, Veterinary Epidemiology Consultant, specialised in Transboundary Animal Diseases.

On 26th and 27th February 2020, Nick conducted a workshop in Islamabad, Pakistan with animal health professionals from around the country. The purpose of the workshop was to present the results of a new analysis of the production losses associated with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in different livestock systems in Pakistan. This included garnering feedback on the approach and seeking expert opinion on some of the model parameters. This will be used to inform a benefit-cost analysis of the different disease control options which will be presented at a later date.

In addition, the workshop discussed the progress made while implementing stage 2 of the Progressive Control Pathway (PCP-FMD) and the challenges and options in progressing to stage 3 and beyond. The workshop was facilitated by Nick Lyons and Dr Chris Bartels and supported by FAO Pakistan, in collaboration with the Institute of Infection and Global Health at the University of Liverpool who provided technical inputs into the economic analysis.