1. TECHNICAL ITEM I (with Questionnaire) Sustainable strengthening of the epidemio-surveillance systems in the Middle East Member Countries
Ahmad AL-MAJALI, DVM, PhD
Professor of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology
Jordan University of Science and Technology

2. Contents Introduction Objectives Methodology Presentation of results
Conclusion and recommendations

3. Introduction
Veterinary Authorities should deal the new challenges related to animal health and protection, food safety and the environment
New challenges for veterinary medicine:
Globalisation of trade in animals and animal products
Animal trading rules
Opportunities
Challenges related to environment
Relationship between veterinary medicine and humans

4. Introduction Regional Challenges:
Geographical position. This area is at the crossroads.
An unstable political situation.
The need to restructure and consolidate national Veterinary Services (field activities, extension) and central (diagnosis and research) deficiencies.
The diversity of livestock production systems.
Major routes of migratory birds, between Europe and Africa.
Demographic changes, characterized by a growing human population, desertification and increasingly limited water resources.

5. Epidemiology & Veterinary Authorities
Fast changing world
Extraordinary livestock growth
Training
Integration within policies
Trends in Animal Health policies

6. Fast changing world
The world has changed fast over the last three decades
New free market economics
The SPS of the WTO
Use of risk analysis in decision making
Revolution in information technology (WAHIS and WAHIS+)

7. Extraordinary livestock growth
Livestock population tremendously increased
Change is the region economy
Increased exportation of live animals and animal products
Veterinary authorities have to respond to this enormous challenge.

8. Trends in Animal Health policies
Efforts towards controlling diseases that affect trading (TADs)
Integration of epidemiology services (surveillance, outbreak investigation, early warning)
Control strategies and SOPs
Networking

9. Integration within policies
Harmonization with International Standards
Harmonization with neighbors
Including other governmental and academic bodies
Involvement of all stakeholders
Government awareness and training
Advance education in epidemiologic fields and policy making
Integration within policies

10. Training
Short and long term training in different field of epidemiology
Continuing education
Amount of training performed
Type of training performed
Scholarships for MSc and PhD programs
Twining

11. Objectives
Establish baseline information on the current situation in terms of the structure and capacities of epidemio-surveillance systems in Member Countries of the Middle East Region,
Identify activities that could help to address the related challenges in a sustainable manner.

12. Methodology
Structured questionnaire was sent by to the Delegates of the 20 Member Countries of the Region.
Members were asked to respond to 26 questions related to three aspects of surveillance systems:
Structure of the epidemio-surveillance system within the country;
Capacity of the epidemio-surveillance system at the Veterinary Authority;
Challenges facing the Veterinary Authority’s epidemio-surveillance system.

13. Results
Out of the 20 Member Countries of the Region, 16 (80%) responded to the questionnaire
In all respondent countries, the Veterinary Authority is the main body responsible for performing surveillance
A special unit/department for epidemiology exists in 81% of responded countries

14. Structure of the epidemio-surveillance system

15. Structure of the epidemio-surveillance system
Composition of the outbreak team
No. of countries
Veterinarian 14
Veterinary para-professional 10
Epidemiologist 7
Microbiologists

16. Structure of the epidemio-surveillance system

17. Structure of the epidemio-surveillance system

18. Structure of the epidemio-surveillance system
Type
Disease
Control strategy
FMD
Brucellosis
HPAI
PPR TB
MERS-CoV
Contingency plan
New strains of FMD
Rabies
Glanders
BSE

19. Capacity of the epidemio-surveillance systems

20. Capacity of the epidemio-surveillance systems

21. Capacity of the epidemio-surveillance systems
PPP in surveillance:
Support early warning
Support outbreak investigation
Surveillance programs
Get involve in making decisions
Outsource control programs

22. Capacity of the epidemio-surveillance systems

23. Capacity of the epidemio-surveillance systems

24. Challenges facing the Veterinary Authority’s epidemio-surveillance systems

25. Challenges facing the Veterinary Authority’s epidemio-surveillance systems

26. Challenges facing the Veterinary Authority’s epidemio-surveillance systems
Success category
No. of countries
Highly successful
Successful 9
Neutral (neither successful nor unsuccessful) 7
Unsuccessful
Highly unsuccessful

27. No of countries that selected as
Help requested from OIE to the region
OIE actions
No of countries that selected as
1st priority
2nd priority
3rd priority
Advocating improved transparency 3 1 2
Supporting OIE member countries with building capabilities through OIE PVS Pathway 4 7
Updating relevant OIE standards on surveillance 5
Facilitating twinning projects
Training of relevant OIE national Focal Points (Animal Disease Notification, etc.) 8
Facilitating communication between relevant Reference Centres and Member Countries
Ensuring WAHIS+ will be more user-friendly and compatible with nation surveillance databases
Facilitating links between OIE Member Countries and relevant technical organisations

28. Conclusion
The high response rate to the questionnaire suggest the strong interest of the member countries of the ME region
Differences in current situations and expectations in reference to epidemio-surveillance systems in Member Countries of the Region exist
VAs in the region is the main responsible agency for performing surveillance.

29. Conclusion VAs of the ME member countries still need:
Epidemiology experts (with post-gradual degrees)
Special departments or offices for risk assessments
Capacity building of staff (different levels) in surveillance and outbreak investigation
Participation in regional networks and better communication with other countries in the region
More involvement of the private sector
Better link with academia and better emphasis on continuing education in epidemiology
High ranked officials’ awareness of the concept of epidemio-surveillance and O/B investigation

30. Conclusion
Among the challenges that face VAs in reference to their epidemio-surveillance systems are:
Allocation of budgets
Support from high ranked officials
Shortages of skilled trained staff
Training in different fields
Lack of proper policies

31. Conclusion
Member countries of the ME region requested the support of OIE mainly in:
Capacity building in different fields of epidemiology and notification
Facilitation of communication and networking between countries of the region
Updating relevant OIE standards on surveillance
Evaluation of their bodies using PVS tools

32. Recommendations
VAs in member countries of the Middle East need to further define their duties in epidemio-surveillance and O/B investigation. This should facilitate the regional initiatives (such as GF-TAD).
Member countries of the Middle East region are strongly recommended to benefit from the OIE PVS Process (OIE PVS evaluation, OIE-PVS Gap Analysis, and OIE PVS Follow-Up missions) being the general basis of for evaluating a Vet Authority.

33. Recommendations
Legislation for epidemio-surveillance and strategic planning for disease control need to be formulated and harmonized with those of the international standards.
There is a great need for establishing a regional epidemiological training network.
Veterinary Authorities at the Member countries of the Middle East are strongly recommended to benefit from academic institutes within their countries and to start a continuing education programs in the field of epidmio-surveillance.
To solve budget challenges, regional approach for surveillance and control of TADs is crucial.