Veterinary Epidemiological Observatory of the Abruzzo region (OEVRA)
By Regional President’s Decree No. 43/2015 of 2 April 2015, the Veterinary Epidemiological Observatory of the Abruzzo Region (OEVRA) was established at the Istituto Zooprofilattico of Teramo. The Observatory provides technical and scientific support to the relevant Services of the Department of Health and Welfare of the Abruzzo Region in the fields of animal health, food safety and the environment.
This support is essential to ensure the effective implementation of planning and strategic guidance activities, and for the proper management and coordination of veterinary services by the relevant departments of the Abruzzo Region.
Specifically, the tasks of the OEVRA include:
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Constantly analysing health data produced by the activities of the regional local health authorities (ASLs), and preparing reports on the spatial and temporal distribution of health events.
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Processing and interpreting data from laboratory analyses carried out as part of official food control activities, and producing statistics to support improved planning of control measures.
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Drafting risk assessment reports aimed at improving the health status of animal populations, the safety of food of animal origin, and environmental health, with a view to protecting human health.
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Monitoring the progress of animal health surveillance plans, providing the necessary support to verify compliance with the Essential Levels of Care (LEA) and in drafting final reports.
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Offering technical and scientific advice for the drafting of control plans and the management of veterinary activities during both health and non-health emergencies.
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Collaborating and providing logistical support in the event of public veterinary health emergencies.
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Paolo Calistri
Head
Paolo Calistri has been working at the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise since 1995, where he currently serves as Head of the Epidemiology Laboratory and of the National Reference Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology, Planning, Information and Risk Analysis (COVEPI). He is also interim Head of both the Epidemiology, Risk Analysis and Information Unit and the Sample Reception and Quality Control Unit.
Paolo Calistri has been working at the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise since 1995, where he currently serves as Head of the Epidemiology Laboratory and of the National Reference Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology, Planning, Information and Risk Analysis (COVEPI). He is also interim Head of both the Epidemiology, Risk Analysis and Information Unit and the Sample Reception and Quality Control Unit.
Since September 2018, he has been Head of the FAO Reference Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology, and since March 2021, he has also been Head of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Collaborating Centre for Epidemiology, Modelling and Surveillance.
From 2015 to 2024, he served as a member of the Animal Health and Animal Welfare (AHAW) Panel of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Paolo Calistri has taken part in numerous international research projects and initiatives focused on the prevention and control of animal diseases and zoonoses.
He is the author of over 130 scientific articles published in international journals.
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