ERFAN

EUFMD

In response to the virus’s expanding reach and the increasing number of regions with suitable conditions for Rift Valley Fever virus transmission, FAO, through the European Commission for the Control of Foot and Mouth Disease (EuFMD, has launched a proactive initiative in collaboration with the RVF European Union Reference Laboratory, (RVF EURL) and the Training Department of Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale” (IZS Teramo). This program aims to prepare neighboring countries and several European nations for potential outbreaks by enhancing laboratory capacity for disease identification and the early detection of virus circulation. The primary objectives are to strengthen emergency preparedness, enable rapid response, and eventually improve control measures for RVF. The project was structured around four main Objectives and seven Activities designed to enhance both the diagnostic capabilities and operational readiness of participating laboratories. A central component was the implementation of a Proficiency Test (PT), aimed at evaluating each laboratory’s ability to rapidly and accurately detect antibodies and viral RNA in samples from animals exposed to RVF virus. In parallel, a targeted training programme was planned to address any technical or operational gaps identified through the PT results. The courses provided in-depth instruction on diagnostic methods for detecting RVFV in blood and serum samples, as well as on the safe handling of high-risk pathogens in BSL-3 laboratory environments. An innovative aspect of this training was the successful implementation of a Virtual Reality module, a novel methodology developed by the EURL and IZS Teramo’s training and communication team. The VR component offered immersive simulations to reinforce biosafety principles and laboratory workflows within a risk-free environment, thereby enhancing familiarity with high-containment laboratory settings. Beyond capacity building, the project fostered the establishment of a collaborative network among participating laboratories, with the longer-term goal of extending cooperation to relevant national authorities. This network aims to facilitate the timely exchange of data and information, thereby strengthening collective understanding of virus circulation patterns and epidemiological dynamics.