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10 May 2020

Event Report – Global Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Alliance (GFRA), Thailand 2019

KASIA BANKOWSKA
Senior Virologist, Extraneous Agents and Development Novel Technologies at MSD Animal Health

The latest Scientific Meeting of the Global Foot-and-Mouth disease Research Alliance (GFRA) gathered the FMD community for two days of talks and presentations in Bangkok, Thailand 29th – 31st October this year. This well organised meeting was attended by scientists and the industry from FMD endemic regions – where the burden of the disease impacts the most vulnerable, as well as form countries keen to protect their FMDV-free status.

With sessions on vaccines, epidemiology, diagnostic, virology, pathogenesis and immunology a wide range of topics was discussed, often presenting novel, innovative tools and approaches to assist in addressing the ultimate challenge of global FMD control. The warm and inviting atmosphere of the conference provided space for the participants to talk informally, exchange ideas and foster collaborations. These will inevitably result in novel ideas that will be presented during the next GFRA meeting in Argentina in 2021 and contribute to progress in the global effort to control FMD.

The GFRA Conference Book
Talking about the historical distribution of FMDV
Delegates sitting in front of speakers on a stage at the workshop
Discussion panel at GFRA
A boat trip in Bangkok
Bangkok, Thailand

KASIA BANKOWSKA
Senior Virologist, Extraneous Agents and Development Novel Technologies at MSD Animal Health