1. 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)

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Steps of the general procedure for the recognition of official animal disease status1.
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)

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

9. The OIE rinderpest pathway
‘rinderpest free’ country status

10. The „rinderpest package“

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Prov free (self-declaration) *
Majors changes in the Chapter 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 for 24 months or historically free
For recovery of free status, fast track (Article )
Favouring a stamping out option (possible after 3 to 6 months)
Otherwise compliant with Article during 24 month
Target eradication 2010
“mild rinderpest”
Syndromic suv, risk-focused suv, young animals, community participatory approaches
Interference vaccine titers with sero-suv

17. Extract Chapter
Key criteria rinderpest free country, Article :
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  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.

18. 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)

19. 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)

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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
? ! ?

24. World Organisation for Animal Health Detailed information available at
12 rue Prony
75017 Paris, France
Tel: 33 (0) – Fax: 33 (0)
Detailed information available at