Together for Safe Health: SMS-Ro-Ua

24/07/2026

Veterinary safety is an important component of protecting animal health, human health, and the economic stability of the region. Within SMS RO-UA project, funded by Interreg NEXT Romania-Ukraine, experts identified the key epizootic risks for the Odesa region, including:

🦠 Avian influenza;
🐖 African swine fever;
🦊 Rabies.

The main risk factors include the migration of wild birds, the movement of wild animals across cross-border areas, and the growing populations of wild carnivores.

To minimize these threats, it is necessary to ensure:

✅ continuous disease monitoring;
✅ strengthening biosecurity measures in animal holdings;
✅ control of wild animal populations;
✅ implementation of preventive measures and awareness-raising among the public.

Coordinated actions of veterinary services, scientists, public authorities, and international partners are essential for effective prevention of cross-border epizootic threats.

14/07/2026

Strengthening Cross-Border Cooperation in Veterinary Medicine 🤝We successfully held the 3rd Workshop that brought together 106 stakeholders to discuss the development of cross-border cooperation in veterinary medicine between Ukraine and Romania.

During the workshop, participants explored the Joint Cooperation Plan, its alignment with EU practices and policies, and discussed mechanisms for strengthening cross-sectoral cooperation and building sustainable partnerships.

A practical session focused on the fundamentals of concept note development, where participants identified common cross-border challenges and worked in groups to prepare draft project concepts for future cooperation initiatives.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the productive discussions and collaborative work. Together, we are creating new opportunities for stronger cross-border partnerships.

10/07/2026

📢 Newsletter No. 8 is now available! How can project results continue creating impact beyond planned activities?

In this edition, discover how Одеський Державний Аграрний Університет Odesa State Agrarian University (OSAU) took the initiative to organise two stakeholder events, showcasing the upgraded laboratory facilities established under the SMS-RO-UA project. The events promoted knowledge sharing, strengthened cooperation among academia, veterinary professionals, public authorities, and the wider community, and reinforced the One Health approach to preventing transboundary animal diseases.

📖 Read the full newsletter here: https://smsroua.info/2026/07/10/newsletter-no-8-eng/

29/06/2026

On 23 June 2026, an information seminar was held in Izmail, Odesa region, as part of the project, implemented under the Interreg NEXT Romania-Ukraine

The seminar introduced participants to the One Health concept, highlighting the close connection between the health of people, animals, and the environment.

💡 Through practical presentations and interactive discussions, participants learned about the prevention of infectious diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Special attention was given to:
🐾 Rabies;
🐾 Leptospirosis;
🐾 Toxoplasmosis;
🐾 Lyme disease;
🐾 West Nile virus.

The programme also featured interactive activities, a "Myths and Facts" session, and practical guidance on responsible pet ownership, vaccination, and everyday measures to reduce health risks.

🤝 The active participation of local residents, engaging discussions, and the exchange of experiences once again demonstrated the importance of raising public awareness and promoting preventive healthcare practices.

We sincerely thank everyone who took part in the seminar. Together, we are building a stronger culture of responsibility for the health of people, animals, and our shared environment.

11/06/2026

Food safety starts in the field and continues in the laboratory. In the current activity of Direcția Sanitară Veterinară și pentru Siguranța Alimentelor Tulcea, monitoring the quality of bivalve molluscs intended for human consumption and of marine water from Black Sea harvesting areas plays an essential role in protecting public health.

From sample collection to laboratory testing, every stage contributes to the assessment of biological risks and to maintaining effective control over marine products placed on the market. This activity means prevention, responsibility, and rapid response whenever consumer health must be protected.

Directly connected to the objectives of project, these actions reflect the importance of integrated surveillance, diagnostic capacity, and institutional cooperation in monitoring emerging risks, including at the interface between animal health, food safety, public health, and the marine environment, in the spirit of the One Health approach.

DSVSA Tulcea – monitoring, analysis, and responsibility for safe consumption and the protection of community health.

08/06/2026

Food safety starts with prevention. Artificial digestion testing for Trichinella spp. is essential for protecting public health, as it allows the detection of parasitic larvae in meat from domestic animals and game before it reaches consumers.

In the context of project ROUA00136, promoting modern and reliable diagnostic methods contributes to strengthening the surveillance of zoonotic diseases and preventing cross-border risks. Meat testing is not only a veterinary public health requirement, but also a concrete measure to protect consumers, communities, and the food chain.

Tested meat means safer food, reduced risks, and greater responsibility for both human and animal health.

More: https://smsroua.info/2026/06/08/trichinella-spp-eng/

05/06/2026

📢 Newsletter No. 7 is now available! We are pleased to share the latest edition of the SMS RO-UA project newsletter, featuring recent activities aimed at strengthening cross-border cooperation between Ukraine and Romania under the One Health approach.

In this issue, you can learn more about:
🔹 Training and knowledge-exchange events
🔹 One Health awareness activities
🔹 Stakeholder engagement and capacity-building initiatives
🔹 Efforts to enhance disease monitoring and public health preparedness
🔹 The project's inclusion in the Interreg NEXT Romania–Ukraine Programme's "Project Stories" section

Read the full article and discover the latest project achievements:
🔗 https://smsroua.info/2026/06/05/newsletter-no-7/

29/05/2026

We are pleased to share that the monitoring visit of the Joint Secretariat BRCT Suceava within the framework of the Interreg NEXT Romania-Ukraine to our project 🔬 ROUA00136 “SMS-RO-UA” was conducted successfully.

The visit took place as part of the monitoring mission carried out in the Southern region from May 20–27, covering Tulcea County, Odesa, and Izmail.

During the visit to Odesa, the equipment purchased within the project by Odesa State Agrarian University Одеський державний аграрний університет was successfully checked and presented to the monitoring team. Project partners also demonstrated the progress achieved within the implementation of the SMS-RO-UA project, focused on the innovative “One Health” approach and the development of a joint system for monitoring animal diseases and zoonoses.

In Izmail, the Lead Partner — Youth Public Organization “New Generation of Europe” Молодіжна громадська організація «Нове покоління Європи» — presented the overall progress of the project, achieved results, implemented activities, and upcoming steps, which demonstrated the timely and effective implementation of the project activities.

The monitoring mission provided an important opportunity to discuss:
▪️ project implementation progress
▪️ achieved results and deliverables
▪️ cross-border cooperation mechanisms
▪️ future activities and sustainability of project outcomes

We sincerely thank the representatives of the Joint Secretariat for the productive visit, valuable discussions, and continuous support of cross-border cooperation initiatives.

Special thanks to all project partners Одеський державний аграрний університет Direcția Sanitară Veterinară și pentru Siguranța Alimentelor Tulcea Молодіжна громадська організація «Нове покоління Європи» for their professionalism, commitment, and excellent teamwork throughout the implementation process 🤝

𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐚 𝐧𝐮 𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐭!

În timp ce o parte din colegi monitorizau proiectele din Nord, o a doua echipă a pornit într-un adevărat maraton de vizite în Sud, desfășurat între 20 și 27 mai.

Colegii noștri au parcurs un traseu strategic de-a lungul Dunării, acoperind județul Tulcea și trecând frontiera în orașele Izmail și Odesa (Ucraina). Scopul a fost același: să ne asigurăm că proiectele finanțate prin Programul Interreg NEXT Romania-Ukraine avansează în ritm susținut.

Iată inițiativele verificate pe teren, care aduc îmbunătățiri reale în regiune:

🚒 Proiectul 𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐀𝟎𝟎𝟒𝟓𝟔 („𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭”): Pași importanți pentru gestionarea riscurilor climatice! Se pune accent pe exerciții comune ale pompierilor și o mai bună coordonare la simularea inundațiilor de pe ambele maluri ale Dunării.

🏥 Proiectul 𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐀𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟐𝟖 („𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐀”): Sănătatea nu are granițe. Am monitorizat dotările cu mobilier medical specializat la Spitalul Județean Tulcea și echipamentele avansate de diagnostic și chirurgie de la Spitalul Municipal din Izmail.

🛡️ Proiectul 𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐀𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟒𝟗 („𝐂𝐁𝐂_𝐀𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐒”): O vizită axată pe reziliența medicală în situații de urgență, proiectul incluzând noi dotări în Izmail, un serviciu de asistență de medicină legală în Tulcea și cursuri intense de prim ajutor.

🏫 Proiectul 𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐀𝟎𝟎𝟑𝟒𝟐 („𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧”): O inițiativă frumoasă de integrare, prin care se sprijină învățarea limbilor română și ucraineană pentru comunitățile din diaspora și migranți.

🔬 Proiectul 𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐀𝟎𝟎𝟏𝟑𝟔 („𝐒𝐌𝐒-𝐑𝐎-𝐔𝐀”): Inovație pură bazată pe conceptul „One Health”. Partenerii lucrează la un sistem comun de monitorizare a bolilor animalelor și zoonozelor.

Fie că vorbim de Nord sau de Sud, motoarele cooperării transfrontaliere sunt turate la maximum! Mulțumim tuturor partenerilor pentru primirea călduroasă și pentru munca excelentă depusă pe teren.

29/05/2026

26/05/2026

Under the project, co-funded by Interreg NEXT Romania-Ukraine , the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Odesa State Agrarian University (Одеський державний аграрний університет) has commissioned a Class II Biological Safety Cabinet.

This equipment protects both the sample and the scientist — right at the center of laboratory work. HEPA-filtered laminar airflow creates a controlled sterile environment where contamination has no opportunity to enter or escape. Every culture, every PCR preparation, and every pathogen sample is handled within this secure barrier.

🔬 What happens inside the cabinet:
• Culturing and subculturing microorganisms under aseptic conditions
• Sample preparation for microbiological and molecular analyses
• PCR and other molecular biology procedures
• Safe and reproducible work with pathogens in accordance with GLP standards

Within the framework of infectious disease monitoring based on the One Health approach, this level of containment is not optional — it is essential.

Beyond supporting everyday research, this equipment also creates a strong foundation for future Training Seminars at the university, helping to strengthen the professional capacity of future specialists and equipping them with advanced skills to respond to long-term ecological security challenges.