News

On 22-23 October 2026, the 100th meeting of the Rinderperst Secretariat of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) was held in Rome. The meeting was focused on the international regulation of the rinderpest virus storage and maintenance of global freedom from the disease. For the first time, ARRIAH participated in the Secretariat activities. The Centre was represented by Nikita Lebedev, Chief Epizootiologist and Advisor to the Head of the Rosselkhoznadzor.

Representatives of international organizations and specialized institutions from Ethiopia, China, India, Japan, the USA, the UK, and France discussed the requirements for rinderpest virus storage and control, management of the international rinderpest vaccine reserves, as well as a draft framework program defining the procedure of their deployment when necessary.

As part of the meeting, Nikita Lebedev also participated in tabletop simulation exercises in possible measures to contain the rinderpest outbreaks and shared Russia's experience in organizing the anti-epidemic operations. He highlighted the potential to assist other countries through vaccine supplies, methodological support, and involvement of specialized experts.

It should be also noted that ARRIAH's efforts to obtain the status of an official Rinderpest Holding Facility were launched in 2024. Currently, the ARRIAH's dossier is under active review as part of the international accreditation procedure. During interaction with the international group, Nikita Lebedev answered experts' questions regarding the presented materials and ARRIAH's capacities.