GREP consultative Group, FAO, Rome, September 2007 Update of OIE International Animal Health Standards in view of global rinderpest eradication by 2010 Dr L. Knopf Officer in charge of Countries’ official disease status recognition World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)

World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Founded in 1924 – 170 Member Countries Headquarters in Paris 5 Regional Representations An intergovernmental organisation operating expenses are paid by Member Country contributions Mandate: to improve Animal Health worldwide

Standards-setting organizations food safety CODEX plant health IPPC animal health OIE Codex = Joint FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission OIE = World Organization for Animal Health IPPC = International Plant Protection Convention (FAO)

International Animal Health Standards Terrestrial Animal Health Code Aquatic Animal Health Code Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals

OIE Mandate under the WTO SPS Agreement Achieved through: Science-based provisions Risk assessment Use of international standards (“harmonization”) Transparent procedures Endorsement by all Member Countries Avoid arbitrary levels of protection (“consistency”) Accept “equivalence” Recognize disease- and pest-free areas Notify measures taken (“transparency”) Technical assistance

Recognition of official animal disease status Goal: promote Veterinary Services protect animal (and human) health in international trade facilitate trade The International Committee adopted that OIE shall officially recognise disease-free countries or zones for 4 diseases Demand for expansion to other diseases (e.g. AI) FMD RP CBPP BSE

Steps of the general procedure for the recognition of official animal disease status 1. Detailed questionnaire from OIE to requesting country 2. Examination of data and supporting documents by internationally recognized experts of an ad hoc Group 3. If necessary, expert mission to the country 4. Evaluation by the Scientific Commission 5. Endorsement by the OIE International Committee by consensus – formal resolution 6. List published on OIE Web site (resolution)

Rinderpest status of 170 OIE Member Countries (International Committee, May 2007)

The OIE rinderpest pathway ‘rinderpest free’ country status

The „rinderpest package“

Animal Health Standards and RP Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Part 1 and 2 Part 1: General provisions for national veterinary services Part 2, Chapter 2.2.12: Provision for the RP status of the livestock population in a country. Appendices Surveillance for RP (Appendix 3.8.2.) Explains the requirements for the disease status to achieve of Chapter 2.2.12 In accordance with the general animal disease surveillance guidelines of Appendix 3.8.1. General surveillance guidelines (Appendix 3.8.1.)

Animal Health Standards and RP Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines Part 1 General information Compliance of RP diagnostic laboratories with the provisions of Section I.1.2 (e.g. quality management) Part 2 OIE listed disease specific Chapters Diagnostic procedures and methods described in Chapter 2.1.4.

The disease status specific questionnaire Assistance for Member Countries Transparent evaluation Assures completeness of information required In accordance with the requirements of the Terrestrial Code Adopted by the International Committee One questionnaire per possible disease status For convenience general sections are interchangeable between the 4 diseases

Refinement of International Animal Health standards Upon demand of Member Countries Keeping track with changes of epidemiological situations Newest scientific knowledge has to be taken into account (e.g. new diagnostic tools) Close collaboration between evaluators, Member Countries, OIE experts or Collaborative Centres and other International Organisations is a pre-requisite  

Review of the provisions for rinderpest In February 2007 international experts revised the RP related Terrestrial Code sections under consideration that: Global eradication of RP is (almost) achieved RP vaccination stopped in the majority of countries Clinical disease has become a rare event Surveillance and interventions need to be adapted towards more tailored & targeted approaches Target eradication 2010 “mild rinderpest” Syndromic suv, risk-focused suv, young animals, community participatory approaches Interference vaccine titers with sero-suv

Prov free (self-declaration) * Majors changes in the Chapter 2.2.12. a) New applications rinderpest status recognition: Terrestrial Code 2006 Infection free Disease free * Prov free (self-declaration) * * Zoning possible Terrestrial Code 2007 Infection free, only country wide b) Shorter time frames To qualify for rinderpest (infection) free status Compliant with Article 2.2.12.2 for 24 months or historically free For recovery of free status, fast track (Article 2.2.12.3) Favouring a stamping out option (possible after 3 to 6 months) Otherwise compliant with Article 2.2.12.2 during 24 month Target eradication 2010 “mild rinderpest” Syndromic suv, risk-focused suv, young animals, community participatory approaches Interference vaccine titers with sero-suv

Extract Chapter 2.2.12. Key criteria rinderpest free country, Article 2.2.12.2 : have a record of regular and prompt animal disease reporting; send a declaration to the OIE stating that: there has been no outbreak of RP during the past 24 months; no evidence of RPV infection has been found during the past 24 months; no vaccination against RP has been carried out during the past 24 months, surveillance for both RP and RPV infection in accordance with Appendix 3.8.2. is in operation and that regulatory measures for the prevention and control of RP have been implemented; not have imported since the cessation of vaccination any animals vaccinated against RP.

Special case: Historical freedom (remains!) Recognised free from infection without formally applying a pathogen-specific surveillance programme when: disease has never occurred; eradication has been achieved for at least 25 years Provided that for at least the past 10 years: the disease has been notifiable; an early detection system in place; measures to prevent infection introduction in place; no vaccination against the disease; no infection established in wildlife (A country cannot apply for historical freedom if there is any evidence of infection in wildlife)

Majors changes in the Appendix 3.8.3 Surveillance strategies Focus on active search for virus presence / circulation Use and combination of all possible surveillance streams available Emphasis on targeted sampling (risk-focussed) Adjusting for sampling in nomadic livestock populations Geo-referenced methods Certain flexibility in the sampling time frame (No more 2 separate sampling rounds)

Majors changes in the Appendix 3.8.3 ctd Surveillance and related aspects Participatory disease search for clinical manifestations Guidance for selection of sampling units on herd and within herd level E.g. guidelines on selection of appropriate age strata of cattle and buffaloes Interface wildlife-livestock Encourage transboundary collaboration Strong recommendations for stop of RP vaccination and recall of vaccines

Appendix 3.8.3: Additional revisions planned No more fix confidence and prevalence levels for (random) surveys Harmonization of RP surveillance guidelines with other diseases (e.g.FMD) More stringent recommendations concerning vaccine (stock) supervision

Continuous efforts needed to increase the number of rinderpest free countries Strengthening of National Veterinary Services (including capacity building and evaluation) Regional and inter-continental alliances and networks for animal health improvement Continuous development of (regional) strategies for disease agent eradication Improve prevention and control of Emerging Zoonoses & Transboundary Animal Diseases in general Tailored support for applications of Member Countries Eg FMD South American Countries, rinderpest Somali ecosystem

Under discussion in view of 2010 ? ! ? Under discussion in view of 2010 Facilitate applications for RP freedom based on historical grounds and regional context Acceptance of RP applications from non-OIE Member Countries Need to officially recognize ALL countries RP free versus proof of absence of virus circulation world-wide Identify priority countries/regions for action in view of the tight time schedule Development of a global strategy concerning vaccine stocks, alternative vaccines and safe RP virus stocks Eg FMD South American Countries, rinderpest Somali ecosystem ? ! ?

World Organisation for Animal Health Detailed information available at 12 rue Prony 75017 Paris, France Tel: 33 (0)1 44 15 18 88 – Fax: 33 (0)1 42 67 09 87 Email: oie@oie.int Detailed information available at http://www.oie.int