We are delighted to share an important achievement! The Joint Scientific Report on the Research of Emerging Diseases in the Romania–Ukraine Cross-Border Area (D 1.4.4) has been successfully completed and presented within the international project SMS-RO-UA “Development of Screening and Monitoring Systems for Emerging Diseases and Prevention of Cross-Border Epidemics in the Current Context”. The report is the result of fruitful cooperation between scientists from the two countries and a significant step towards reliable protection of animal and human health in our region.
The report is a joint work of Project Partner 2, the Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Directorate of Tulcea (Romania), and Project Partner 3, Odesa State Agrarian University. It summarises the results of Activity A1.4 “Joint research of emerging diseases in the Romania–Ukraine cross-border area”. The study ran for more than a year in Tulcea County and Odesa Region, in the Lower Danube and Danube Delta area.
Specialists from both countries investigated five diseases of major importance for animal and public health: African swine fever, avian influenza, leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis and West Nile virus infection. To do this, the partners combined field sampling, laboratory diagnosis, wildlife surveillance and environmental investigation. The work followed common Terms of Reference, coordinated sampling periods and harmonised laboratory methods (PCR, real-time PCR, ELISA). The Ukrainian component alone covered close to 1,160 biological and environmental samples.
The study made it possible to:
- create a common epidemiological baseline for future cross-border monitoring;
- identify signals that need continued attention, including the circulation of low-pathogenic influenza A viruses among migratory wild birds and in aquatic environments on the Ukrainian side;
- confirm that the Lower Danube and the Danube Delta should be treated as a single, interconnected ecological and epidemiological system;
- show the practical value of the One Health approach and develop recommendations for preventing cross-border diseases.
The most important long-term result is the move from separate national observations to a shared Romania–Ukraine surveillance framework. This framework will serve as a basis for preventing, detecting early and jointly managing future cross-border epidemiological threats.
The project is implemented in partnership between Youth Public Organization “New European Generation”, Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Directorate of Tulcea County (Romania) and Odesa State Agrarian University, within the framework of the Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania–Ukraine 2021–2027 Programme funded by the European Union.
The project is being implemented between June 4, 2025, and December 3, 2026, and has a total value of € 418.063,41, of which € 376.257,06 is funding provided by the European Union through the Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania-Ukraine Programme 2021- 2027. As a partner, total Odesa State Agrarian University eligible budget is € 144.748,80.
This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Odesa State Agrarian University and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or of the Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania-Ukraine Programme 2021- 2027 management structures.
The Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania-Ukraine Programme 2021- 2027 is financed by the European Union and co-financed by the participating countries in the Programme.
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