EMERGENCY CONTROL OF TRANSBOUNDARY DISEASES OF LIVESTOCK
IN MOLDOVA:THE CURRENT ISSUES
N.Starciuc 1, E.Renita 2, V.V.Chilaru 3
(1) State Agricultural University of Moldova, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, FAO-TCP RER
0066 (T) National Project/CENTAUR Coordinator, Chisinau. Moldova
(2) Department Department of Veterinary Medicine,Chief Veterinary Officer-CVO, Ministry of
Agriculture and Food Industry-MAFI, Chisinau. Moldova
(3) Chilaru Vitalie, Dr. Chief of Virology Laboratory, Republican Veterinary Diagnostic Center,
FAO-TCP RER 0066 (T) National Project/CENTAUR Deputy-Coordinator, Chisinau. Moldova
The Republic of Moldova has been participating in the FAO TCP/ RER/0066 (T) Project:"
Emergency Control of Transboundary Diseases of Livestock in Southern and Eastern
Europe" (since September 2001). At the initial stage of the Project The Consultant, Input
Coordinator-Epidemiology visited the Country (9-14 September 2001) in order to start
implementation of the Project. He met Ms.Viorica Ghimpu, UNDP Programme Office
(replaced in the year 2002 by Ms. Liudmila Barcari), visited the Central Republican
Diagnostic Laboratory (CRDL), Chisinau. meting: Dr.Jon Efim Josan, the Director,
Prof.Roman Stepan Moskalik, Director Adjunct, CRDL and the Scientist: Veterinary
Research Institute, TIVIT, Chisinau, Dr. Andrei Ganea-Consultant, Department of Veterinary
Medicine and Mr.Jon Mihaila, Technical Assistance, Ministry of Agriculture. The consultant
visited the Field Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, location: Anenii Noi, meeting: Dr.Ivan
Isaevici Mereuta, Director-Zootechnician, Dr Serafim Ivanovici Babenco, Chief Veterinary
Office, Chisinau District. The Laboratory operated according to the instructions prepared by
the MAFI - covering diagnostically:bovine leucosis, brucellosis and clostridial diseases. Also
visited were the Cooperative Cattle Farm, Stauceni, Colonita and the Ecological Poultry
Farm: Avicolo Roso JSC, at Floreni The farms were found to be relatively well maintained
and supervised by the professional zootechnical staff. The main problem lack of premixes
and limited capability to supply animal feed.
The slaughterhouse located in Anenii Noi was found to be adequate. At the Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine in Chisinau the consultant met some faculty members including: Dr.
Georghe Donica, the Dean (vet.surgery), Dr. Budantev Alexandru (vet. surgery and
biotechnology), Dr. Tudor Spatari, (vet.virology and biotechnology). The lecture on
Transboundary Animal Diseases, The FAO, EMPRES Programme as well as the CENTAUR
Network was given to over one hundred students (in Russian). In the Ministry of Agriculture
and Food Industry (MAFI), Department of Veterinary Medicine, the Consultant met Dr. Efim
Renita, Head of the Departmen and Chief Veterinary Officer and most of the veterinary staff
mentioned before.
Issues:
 The Republic of Moldova requires urgent intensification of its livestock production
including (in thousands): cattle (375), small ruminants (930) and poultry (1100) for
local needs and for export.
 The major threat consists of the danger of transboundary diseases of livestock and
poultry. Recent epizootics of foot and mouth disease in Western Europe, a danger of
the same disease coming from West Asia and the Near East, presence of bluetongue
in Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey, potential danger of African and classical swine
fevers, Aujeszky disease, rinderpest, bovine spongiform encephalopathy BSE,
enzootic bovine leucosis, Teschen disease, brucellosis, paratuberculosis,
tuberculosis as well as numerous diseases of poultry, particularly Newcastle disease,
infectious bursitis, Marek disease, infectious laryngo-tracheitis creates a strong

demand for dramatic improvement of the diagnostic capabilities of the country. Strong
diagnostic system for Early Warning and Early Reaction is required.
In the Republic of Moldova, veterinarians are aware of the priority FAO Programme
EMPRES "Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary and Plant Pests and
Disease-Livestock Component", established in 1994 as well as the FAO Established
Network on Veterinary Biotechnology/Epidemiology for Central and Eastern Europe
(CENTAUR) initiated in the Central and Eastern Europe between 1995 and 1997.
The Animal Health Services in the Republic of Moldova has been remarkably privatised,
however the GOM structure required for control of TADs remained. There are 2 800 vets in
the country partly trained in Moldavia and partly abroad, mostly in Ukraine and Russia. There
are good links with CIS including Russia, Ukraine and other CIS members as well as
Romania. The major constraint is “transitory period“ of the country’s economy. The
infrastructure established during the former USRR collapsed during 1989-90. The period of
time from 1960-1984 is considered (by Moldavians) as the most successful for the economy
as well as the activities of veterinary services within the agricultural sector. Particularly
important is the lack of previously produced feed, premixes, and industrially produced feed
available on the previous USSR markets, and present high prices of electricity, gas and
industrial products. The animal products, meat, milk, hides, eggs, wool are produced on a
smaller scale. The prices are low and products are mostly being sold on local markets.
Transition from the collective agriculture (kolhoz, sovhoz) so welcomed in many other
countries of the former socialist block created numerous inefficient and poorly supplied
private farms.
There are twelve Field Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories in the country working under the
supervision of the Republican Veterinary Diagnostic Center (RVDC) in Chisinau. The
structure of the RVDC includes the following units: 1. The management, 2. Laboratory
controlling products of animal origin, 3. Chemistry, 4.Genetics, 5. Radiology, 6.
Epizootiology, 7. Certification of animal products, 8. Bacteriology, 9. Serology, 10. Virology,
11. Pathomorphology, 12. Diseases of fish, bees and parasitic diseases, 13. Quality control
of veterinary biologicals, vaccines and medicines, 14. Veterinary clinic, 15. Laboratory
animals, 16. Maintenance-servicing.
The diagnostics is based on instructions prepared by the Departrment of Veterinary Services
of MAFI. There is no compatibility in applied diagnostic methods with those of OIE
Standards, which makes impossible export of the Republic of Moldova's livestock and
livestock products. The new generation of laboratory tests including micromethods, modern
serology, ELISA and methods based on principles of molecular biology (PCR, Western Blot)
are not applied. The equipment is at least 10 to 20 years old, however maintenance and level
of hygiene is remarkably high. Training of staff is conducted mostly by the RCDC. Contacts
with abroad regarding the training are very limited with the exception of those based on
individual links of the staff with Romania and Ukraine.
The country would like to be considered in future as a candidate for the EU membership.
Therefore participation in the present TCP Project was wholeheartedtly welcome. There is a
shortage of laboratory reagents. Laboratory micromethods are not used. There was no
disposible plastic labware. There is no know-how on diagnostic tests compatible with the OIE
Manual of Standards. There is a lack of contacts with more advanced laboratories and
Centres of Excellence abroad especially in Western Europe. There is a lack of funds for visits
abroad and participation in the training schemes or scientific conferences.
Knowledge of English and French among professionals is limited (2 to 5 percent only).
Russian is widely spoken of course on top of the Moldavian Language (Dialect of Romanian
language). The Department of Veterinary Services and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
are vitally interested in improving their laboratory conditions, know how and scientific
international contacts.
The CNFI-Centaur News Flash Info and the CENTAUR Bulletin will have to be translated into
Russian and Moldavian or perhaps only into Russian in order to be understood. The level of
computerization is low and the hardware is mostly obsolete. Only 3 to 4 places related to
Veterinary Services work sporadically with internet.
Programme for BSE control in Moldavia (MAFI, Ministry of Health, Department of
Standardization) for 2001-2010 has been signed by the Deputy Prime Minister. CVO’s
informal report on his recent mission to Odessa, Ukraine (September 2001) and the inter alia
discussions held. The Government of Moldova was of the opinion that no transit of live
ruminants and products through Moldavia should be permitted in order to avoid the risk of
Transboundary Animal Diseases. Moldavia has 27 ports of entry by the borders where the
strict quarantine veterinary control (141 vets) exists. Also the regional harmonizations of
animal health matters with 3 regions of Ukraine bordering Moldavia were discussed. In future
Republic of Moldova will apply for the EU Membership.
The FAO was requested to assist the Country on formulation and implementation of
Technical Cooperation Projects. It would be advisable to arrange for the TCP Training
Project: "Modernization of the Control of Priority Diseases of Livestock (country-wide
identification of livestock, veterinary border control, laboratory diagnosis and disease control
and computerised scientific information)". The sustainability of the Project's outcomes will be
assured by the established structures, trained personnel and participation of the Country in
the CENTAUR Network. There is a need to establish closer contacts with the FAO/WHO
Codex Alimentarius on and assessment of the quality of food of animal origin-project or
information.
The National Project Coordinator and the National CENTAUR Coordinator
(after the Project is concluded) nominated by the Government of Moldova is Assoc.
Professor Dr. Nicolae V. Starciuc, Chair of Epizootiology, Department of the Veterinary
Medicine, Agricultural University of Moldova, street Sciusev 103, MD-2005, Chisinau.
Moldova, (e-mail: starciuc@mail.md); His abbreviated c.v.: Born in 1964,. his
educational/professional experience includes:1998 to date Associate Professor at the
Department of Epizootiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State Agricultural University of
Moldova, Chisinau, 1993 – 1998 senior lecturer at the Department of Epizootiology, 1990 –
1993 graduate student at the Department of Epizootiology, 1988 – 1990 Veterinarian at the
farm “Calinin”, district Leova; 1988 graduated from the Agricultural Institute “M.V. Frunze”,
Chisinau; 1983 graduated from the Veterinary Junior College, Carmanov; 1979 completed
the Secondary School, s. Lingura, district Cantemir, Republic of Moldova.
The Deputy National Project Coordinator is Dr. Vitali Vasile Chilaru,
Veterinary Diagnostic Center of Moldova, Chisinau (e-mail: vchilaru@hotmail.com). His
abbreviated c.v.: Born in 1974, his educational/professional experience includes: 1998 to
date Chief of the Department of Virology, Veterinary Diagnostic Center of Moldova, 1996 1998; veterinary practitioner in the village of Cosernita, district Floresti, 1996 graduated from
the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Moldova, Chisinau.; 1991
completed the Secondary School, s. Cosernita, district Floresti.
Focus on The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State Agricultural University of Moldova
Chisinau: The higher veterinary education in the Republic of Moldova began in 1974 at the
Faculty of Animal Breeding, the Section of Veterinary Medicine. The faculty was inaugurated
in April 1976 and for almost two decades its head was Professor E. Zgardan, now
Academician. In 1995, the new Dean was elected: Doctor & Lecturer G. Donica, Chairman of
the Association of Veterinary Surgeons of Republic of Moldova. Today the Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine consist of six departments. The period of studies is five years and six
months. The title received by graduates is: "Veterinary Surgeon". The Faculty employs four
Doctors Habilitatus, 24 Doctors of Veterinary Medicine and Biology, lecturers and nine
assistants. The areas of activities for the graduates are: general veterinary medicine,
epizootiology, therapeutics, parasitology, surgery, gynaecology, toxicology, sanitary
expertise, small animal diseases. Until now the faculty has graduated more than 1600
Veterinary Surgeons, including 335 persons from Asian, African and Latin-American
countries. The Faculty has issued seven Doctor Habilitatus degrees and 27 Doctor of
Veterinary and Biological Sciences degrees. The special Council is responsible for auditing
the procedures involved.
The main field of scientific research at the Faculty are: study of viral and bacterial diseases;
perfection of methods and means of controlling animal parasites; elaboration of new means
and methods to fight non-infectious diseases of animals; therapeutical application of the
tissue preparations; medical plants and non-traditional methods of treatment; animal
reproduction and veterinary surgery. The scientific research resulted in a series of
publications: handbooks, monographic works, patents, methodological issues,
recommendations, scientific reports. (Comment of the Editors: perhaps the material are only
available locally as they are note quoted by international sources of scientific information)
The Department of Anatomy of Domestic Animals originated from the initially established
Comparative Anatomy and Physiology of Animals Unit within the Section of Agricultural
Sciences (1933). It is known under the current name since 1946, when the Department of
Anatomy and Physiology of Animals was divided in 1944. At present the main Units are:
„Anatomy of Animals“, „Histology“, „Cytology“, and „Embryology“. The Department finalised
eight Doctors degrees. The research is dealing with the neural and circulatory system,
ontogenesis of the mammary gland and the locomotoric system.
The Department of Therapy was founded in 1978. For 20 years its head was Professor D.
Holban. The fields studied here are: physiopathology, semiology, pharmacology, toxicology
and therapy. The Department awarded five people with Doctor Habilitatus’degrees and
seven Doctor’s Degrees. Three new pharmaceutical products have been prepared and
implemented – PDE, Umbilicen and Coreocen. Three more are being tested and approved –
Iodogel, Timocen and Unguent-Antitricophytic. 28 patents of invention have been issued by
the authorities of the Republic of Moldova, the Ukraine and Russia and 120 diplomas were
defended.
The Department of Epizootiology and Infectious Diseases was opened in 1977. Until 1991 it
was headed by Professor Alevtina Karishev, since then by Professor Ion Scutaru. The
Department is divided into three Units: Microbiology, Virology, and Epizootiology. The
research includes general epizootiology, treatment of respiratory diseases of cattle,
leptospirosis and infectious diseases of poultry and various schemes of vaccination against
the most infectious viral diseases of poultry and cattle. Scientific findings were soon applied
in farms and agricultural enterprises in the country. For the contribution in this area five
patents of invention have been awarded. The Department’s team has published
monographic works, dictionaries, recommendations, methodological guide-books and more
than 500 scientific reports.
The Department of Obstetrics and Surgery was founded in 1980 by the famous Veterinary
Surgeon and Scholar on the Republic of Moldova Professor P. Gertsen, the father of the
practical veterinary surgery in the Republic. Since 1990 the Department is headed by the
Lecturer Dr. Alexandru Budantev. The course of obstetrics is read by State Prize Laureate
Lecturer B. Sevcenco, who has worked for the Faculty for more than a quarter of a century.
There are new directions/units such as the Operational, General and Special Surgery, and
Biotechnology and Pathology of Animal Reproduction. The scientific research is dedicated in
particular to the problem of treatment of internal animal diseases and emergencies. A
separate Unit deals with elaboration of methods of abdominal and thoracic surgery. The
laboratory of biotechnology and pathology of reproduction became a center of clinical
gynaecology dealing with diseases of the reproductive system including pueperal metritis, as
well as implementing biologically active substances in animal breeding. The scientists of the
Department closely cooperate with their professional colleagues in: Romania, Russia and the
Ukraine. Over 300 scientific reports have been published.
The Department of Animal Hygiene was founded in 1986. Its first head was Professor I.
Scutaru (1986-1991); then lecturer C. Munteanu (1991-1997). Since 1997 it has been run by
the lecturer E. Renita. The didactic work is carried out to prepare the future veterinary
surgeons and animal breeding engineers (zootechnicians) in the field of: animal breeding,
legislation and economics of the veterinary service, radiobiology, basic knowledge of
veterinary medicine, ecology and ethology. The scientific research is conducted to study the
adaptation methods, prophylaxis and treatment of livestock and poultry in farms. The
Department prepared one Doctor Habilitatus.
The Department of Parasitology was founded in 1979. During these years it was conducted
by Academician E. Zgardan. The Units involved are: Parasitology, Sanitary-Veterinary
Expertise, and Morphopathology. The scientific research is aimed at studying of
helminthoses. The last few years were dedicated to the research on an integral system of
preventing and combating mixed infections in cattle. The results of these investigations have
been published in 248 scientific reports. They were presented during various scientific
conferences and symposia. The Department also published 5 expertises-recommendations
to improve the situation of cattle breeding regarding helminths. Four Doctor’s Degrees have
been defended.
The FAO Focal Point at UNDP Office, Chisinau. Moldova is Ms. Liudmila Barcari, e-mail:
Liudmila.barcari@undp.org
References:
Starciuc N.: Data and Photograph concerning the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chisinau,
August 2002
Wojciechowski K.J. Consultancy Report (Moldova), FAO-TCP RER 0066 (T), October 2001.
Edited by K.Hruska and K.J.Wojciechowski , August 2002