Together for Safe Health: SMS-Ro-Ua

23/03/2026

🐾 Your Pet’s Health Protects Your Health Too 🐾 Pets bring love, loyalty, and joy into our lives—but keeping them healthy also helps protect our own health.

Some diseases can pass from animals to humans, including rabies, parasites, and certain infections. These can lead to serious illness, especially for children, elderly people, or those with weaker immune systems. The good news? Most risks can be prevented with proper care.

💉 Vaccination is essential.
Keeping your pet’s vaccines up to date—especially against rabies—protects not only your pet but your entire family and community.

🥗 Proper feeding matters more than you think.
A balanced, high-quality diet strengthens your pet’s immune system, helping them fight off infections and diseases. Avoid giving raw or unsafe food, and always provide clean, fresh water. Healthy nutrition means a stronger, more resilient pet.

🛡️ Simple steps that make a big difference:
✔️ Follow your pet’s vaccination schedule
✔️ Visit the veterinarian regularly
✔️ Feed your pet properly and safely
✔️ Maintain hygiene and clean living spaces
✔️ Protect against fleas, ticks, and worms

🐶🐱 Healthy pets mean healthier homes and safer communities.

❤️ Care responsibly—for them and for you.

16/03/2026

Cross-Border Animal Health & Disease Risks: Ukraine – Romania 🌍 The SMS RO-UA project has completed a comprehensive analysis of animal health and epizootic risks in the Odesa Region (Ukraine) and Tulcea County (Romania). This study highlights the shared challenges of border regions with active livestock sectors, diverse wildlife, and significant stray animal populations.

Key points:

🔹High risk of diseases such as African swine fever, avian influenza, rabies, leptospirosis, West Nile virus, and toxoplasmosis.
🔹Stray animals play a significant role in disease circulation.
🔹Monitoring and vaccination systems differ: Romania aligns closely with EU standards, while Ukraine faces gaps in resources and coordination.
🔹Public awareness on zoonotic disease prevention remains limited.

The study recommends strengthening cross-border cooperation, expanding vaccination coverage, managing stray animal populations, and harmonizing regulations under the One Health approach.

📄 Read the full analysis here: https://smsroua.info/2026/03/16/analysis-eng/

Together, Ukraine and Romania can build resilient systems to protect both human and animal health.

11/03/2026

📢 Newsletter No. 6 Published! 🧪 This edition presents the synthetic description of samples collected and analysed in Romania during the first sampling campaign carried out by the Veterinary Sanitary and Food Safety Directorate of Tulcea. The activities included both field sampling and laboratory testing, following international WOAH standards.

🔬 The campaign focused on monitoring several important diseases with cross-border impact.

📄 Read the full newsletter to learn more about the results of the first sampling campaign and ongoing project activities. https://smsroua.info/2026/03/11/newsletter-no-6-eng/

03/03/2026

Viruses are still with us – don’t forget the basics! 🦠 Within our project funded by Interreg NEXT Romania-Ukraine we’ve gotten used to news about infections, restrictions feel like a memory, and the sense of threat fades… but the danger hasn’t gone away.

In this video, we talk about:
✅ Why our sense of danger decreases over time
✅ Why viruses are still a real threat
✅ Simple rules to keep yourself and loved ones safe
✅ Why prevention is care, not fear

🎥 Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YApTQ80jVY&list=PLA4nN9EH1ts-ipjRJeTgu5vvR-6J3PiYN&index=5

👍 Like & share to help more people stay safe!

We live in a world where viruses and infectious diseases have become part of everyday life. The news no longer shocks us, restrictions feel like a distant me...

27/02/2026

📢 Newsletter No. 5 is now available!

We are pleased to announce the release of Newsletter No. 5. Development of Screening and Monitoring Systems for Emerging Diseases and Prevention of Cross-Border Epidemics in the Current Context (SMS RO-UA, ROUA00136).

This edition highlights the successful completion of the first stage of sample collection in the southern Odesa region — a strategically important area vulnerable to cross-border infectious disease transmission.

🔬 More than 400 biological and environmental samples were collected, covering livestock, companion animals, wild birds, water sources, feed, and environmental vectors. These activities lay the foundation for laboratory analysis and future monitoring aimed at strengthening regional and cross-border biosecurity.

The collected evidence will support further research, improve diagnostic capacity, and contribute to stronger prevention measures against animal and zoonotic diseases.

📄 Read the full Newsletter No. 5 here: https://smsroua.info/2026/02/27/newsletter-no-5/

25/02/2026

Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to prevent infectious diseases. But how exactly do they work? Wehave reared the video explaining the science behind vaccines, how they train your immune system, and why vaccination is key to staying healthy.

We break it down simply — no panic, no myths, just clear facts about protecting yourself and your community.

🔹 In this video, you will learn:
• How vaccines stimulate the immune system
• Why vaccines prevent serious illnesses
• How herd immunity works
• Why staying up to date with vaccines is important

📌 Remember: vaccination is a simple step that saves lives. Protect yourself and those around you.
https://youtu.be/4YApTQ80jVY

Support the video with a like 👍 and share it to spread awareness about the importance of vaccines.

Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to prevent infectious diseases. But how exactly do they work? This video explains the science behind vaccines, ho...

25/02/2026

🇷🇴 Data de 24 februarie marchează patru ani de când viața comunităților de peste graniță s-a schimbat radical. Este un moment de liniște și reflecție, în care gândurile noastre se îndreaptă către partenerii, colegii și prietenii noștri din Ucraina.

La BRCT Suceava, am trăit acești ani alături de ei, nu doar ca profesioniști, ci ca oameni. Am văzut direct ce înseamnă puterea de a continua munca și dialogul în condiții de o dificultate extremă. Cooperarea transfrontalieră ne-a oferit în tot acest timp șansa de a rămâne conectați și de a ne sprijini reciproc, reamintindu-ne că legăturile dintre oameni sunt mai puternice decât orice barieră.

Rămânem dedicați misiunii noastre de a fi un partener de încredere la graniță, oferind stabilitate și continuitate proiectelor comune. Credem în viitorul acestei regiuni și în puterea dialogului de a construi o lume mai sigură pentru toți.

Suntem alături de voi, cu respect pentru demnitatea voastră și cu speranța sinceră într-un viitor al păcii. 🤝

🇺🇦 24 лютого минає чотири роки з того часу, як життя громад по той бік кордону докорінно змінилося. Це момент тиші та роздумів, коли наші думки спрямовані до наших партнерів, колег та друзів в Україні.

У BRCT Suceava ми прожили ці роки разом із ними — не лише як професіонали, а й просто як люди. Ми на власні очі побачили, що означає сила продовжувати роботу та діалог у надзвичайно складних умовах. Транскордонне співробітництво протягом усього цього часу давало нам можливість залишатися на зв’язку та підтримувати один одного, нагадуючи, що зв’язки між людьми сильніші за будь-які бар’єри.

Ми залишаємося вірними нашій місії бути надійним партнером на кордоні, забезпечуючи стабільність та наступність спільних проєктів. Ми віримо в майбутнє цього регіону та в силу діалогу задля побудови безпечнішого світу для всіх.

Ми поруч із вами, з повагою до вашої гідності та щирою надією на мирне майбутнє. 🤝

24/02/2026

🐾 Feeding Pets: Tips & Rules for Happy, Healthy Friends 🐾 Feeding pets is more than giving food—it’s about keeping them healthy and happy! Here are some key rules:

1️⃣ Balanced Diet: Give pets food appropriate for their species, age, and health. Avoid giving chocolate, onions, grapes, or processed human foods.
2️⃣ Consistent Schedule: Feed at regular times daily. Overfeeding can cause obesity; underfeeding can lead to malnutrition.
3️⃣ Fresh Water: Always provide clean, fresh water. Hydration is essential!
4️⃣ Portion Control: Follow the feeding instructions on pet food labels or consult a vet for guidance.

5️⃣ Treats in Moderation: Treats are fine, but not more than 10% of daily intake.

Feeding Homeless Pets 💙:

🔹Offer small portions of pet-safe food and water daily.
🔹Avoid bread or milk, which can harm them.
🔹Place food in a safe, quiet spot away from busy roads.
🔹If possible, support local shelters or animal rescue groups.

Feeding responsibly is caring responsibly! 🐶🐱

20/02/2026

🔬 Information Seminar on the “One Health” Approach Successfully Held in Izmail Odesa Region!

Today, we conducted the first Information Seminar within the project SMS-RO-UA (ROUA00136), implemented under the Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania-Ukraine 2021-2027 Programme.

The event brought together pet owners, breeders, and animal keepers to discuss emerging diseases and practical ways to prevent them. Participants learned more about rabies, toxoplasmosis, West Nile virus, leptospirosis, and Lyme disease, as well as responsible pet care practices including vaccination, parasite control, identification, and proper nutrition.

💬 The seminar included interactive surveys, a “Myths and Facts” discussion, practical recommendations for everyday animal care, and an open Q&A session.

The active participation and positive feedback confirmed the strong interest of the community in the “One Health” approach — protecting animal health means protecting human health too.

Stay tuned for the next events in Odesa region!

19/02/2026

Newsletter 4 is now available!🤩 It highlights a recent workshop in Izmail that brought together experts, local authorities, and practitioners to strengthen cooperation in monitoring animal and zoonotic diseases.

Participants discussed key risks such as rabies, African swine fever, and avian influenza, as well as practical challenges in reporting, wildlife management, and cross-border coordination.

But the workshop didn’t stop at discussion. As a result, the project team developed practical information materials and five short awareness videos to help communities better understand risks and know what to do in case of suspected infection.

Our goal is simple: stronger knowledge, better preparedness, safer communities.

📩 The full newsletter is now available — download and read to learn more about the outcomes and tools developed within the project https://smsroua.info/2026/02/19/newsletter-4-eng/

16/02/2026

🐾💉 Protect Animals. Protect People. Prevent Zoonotic Diseases. Zoonotic diseases — infections transmitted between animals and humans — can seriously affect families, farmers, and entire communities. The good news? Many of them are preventable through vaccination.

🐶 Pets

Rabies vaccination for dogs (and cats, where recommended) is essential and often mandatory. In risk areas, leptospirosis vaccination for dogs is also strongly advised. Protecting pets means protecting your family.

🐄 Livestock

Vaccinating cattle, sheep, and goats against brucellosis and, in endemic regions, anthrax, helps safeguard farmers, rural communities, and the food supply. Healthy animals reduce economic losses and public health risks.

👩‍⚕️ People at Risk

Rabies vaccination (pre-exposure for high-risk professionals and post-exposure after animal bites) is a life-saving measure.

According to the World Health Organization, rabies remains one of the deadliest zoonotic diseases — yet it is fully preventable with timely vaccination.

🌍 A strong vaccination program supports the One Health approach: one world, one health, shared responsibility.

Let’s invest in prevention today for safer communities tomorrow.