Aim

• To explore how digital transformation is supporting emergency preparedness and response and describe how new technologies can assist more efficient information exchange and timely decision-making in a response to a FMD and similar TADs incident.

Main issues

• ​During the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency managers worldwide had to activate their emergency management plans in a virtual environment, and operate, at least partially, from virtual emergency operations centres. What lessons were identified from these experiences? Which parts of the emergency response could be managed virtually, and which still required face-to-face interaction? What systems need to be developed or improved to enable information exchange in the virtual environment? How has the engagement of stakeholders been affected by the use of virtual technology?
• Modelling to support contingency planning – Use of models has become essential to evaluate the impact of different response measures to FAST diseases. How can models contribute to improvements in contingency planning? What are the limitations of currently available models and how can they be overcome? How can models be used for real-time response planning?
• How can remote technology, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), thermal imaging and artificial intelligence contribute to early detection of disease and surveillance in livestock and wildlife?