OIE standards relevant to international horse movement Susanne Münstermann Scientific and Technical Department, OIE Paris Regional Conference for the Middle East and North Africa Dubai, 29September - 1 October 2014
Content The OIE standards: the Code and Manual Relevant horizontal chapters: Summary overview zoning/compartmentalisation Disease freedom Official disease freedom Self-declaration Conclusions
The OIE standards - the TAHC or the CODE Horizontal chapters Disease specific chapter for 70 diseases incl 11 horse specific diseases and 6 affecting multiple species The MANUAL Same structure of horizontal and disease specific Describes the laboratory tests prescribed in the Code for trade
Code horizontal chapters Section 1 Diagnosis, surveillance, notification 1.1 Notification of diseases, provision of epi info 1.4/5 Surveillance 1.6 Self-declaration, official recognition of disease freedom Section 2 Risk Analysis 2.1 Import risk analysis Section 3 Veterinary Services Section 4 Disease prevention, control 4.1/2 Identification and traceability 4.3/4 Zoning & compartmentalisation 4.16 High health status subpopulation
Code horizontal chapters cont. Section 5 Trade measures 5.1/2 Certification 5.12 Model passport for int. mov. competition horses Section 7 Animal welfare 7.2 7.4 Welfare standards during transport (by see, land and air)
The most recent version of all Chapters can be found on-line
General consideration for disease freedom Disease must be notifiable in a country! (1.1) Population/sub-populations must be clearly defined in terms of: Epidemiology of the disease Role of wildlife Surveillance system Laboratories, their capacity and tests used Identification and traceability system in place Final authority to declare disease freedom lies with the Veterinary Authorities therefore The VS need to be of high standard (PVS competencies) to provide confidence on their veterinary certification to importing country (Section 3)
Zoning Applies to a subpopulation with a distinct different health status Zone defined on a geographical basis (code 4.3) Set up of a zone needs to be officially documented A zone can be surrounded by a Protection Zone in which specific measures (vaccination, surveillance..) can be applied to prevent disease from entering the zone Trade aspects: Zones should have been agreed with trading partners prior to outbreaks Practical application: EDFZ successfully used in Ghanzou, China Asian Games 2010 Korea Asian Games 2014
Compartmentalisation Based on management, husbandry & biosecurity measures Subpopulation of a distinct different health status than rest of population Biosecurity inside and surveillance inside/outside essential Animals in the subpopulation are clearly identifiable and traceable Periodic inspection/audit by VS Public private cooperation! Practical application : HHP concept (chapter 4.16)
10 Key measures taken to establish a compartment Country / zone Horses in the subpopulation Stable = compartment Local horse population All horses in the stable (compartment) are subjected to testing to certify their high health status during a preparation period The compartment is effectively isolated from the surrounding equine population and applies biosecurity measures All new entrants into the stable are also tested and isolated
Importance of biosecurity and surveillance for zonal / compartment disease freedom Requires cooperation of Industry and Veterinary Services Responsibilities of the Industry Application of biosecurity Recording of animals and peoples movement Quality assurance scheme Conducting surveillance Rapid reporting Responsibility of the Veterinary Services Movement certification Facilities inspection Biosecurity measures Surveillance Laboratory diagnosis
How to declare disease freedom Country disease freedom of notifiable diseases is the ultimate goal Official disease status : FMD, CBPP, BSE, CSF, PPR, AHS Self declaration : Dourine, EI, Glanders, VEE, Rabies, WNF African Horse Sickness ** Equine infectious anaemia Contagious equine metritis Equine influenza * Dourine * Equine piroplasmosis Equine encephalomyelitis Equine rhinopneumonitis (Western and Venezuelan *) Equine viral arteritis Rabies *, WNF *, VS and Anthrax Glanders * Surra
1. Official disease status Recognition of disease freedom on the basis of Historical freedom (code 1.4.6) Disease never occurred or Eradication has been achieved or No disease since 25 years Declaration of freedom questionnaire approach (code 1.6) To be used after disease occurred and has been controlled OIE expert group evaluates the country declarations and presents them to the GS
2. Self declaration of country/zonal freedom (Code 1.6) Only diseases for which the Code makes provision for freedom self- declaration can be made Sound evidence demonstrating that the requirements of the respective chapter have been met (e.g. surveillance, biosecurity ) The declaration is published by OIE in its Bulletin The responsability for the correctness of the declaration lies with the Veterinary Authorities!!
Example: Glanders Incubation period: Country freedom: 6 months Disease has to be notifiable in the country No case report during past three years or No case for 6 months and surveillance program in place (ref: Chapter 1.4) Detection as per OIE MANUAL (2.5.11) CFT (prescribed test) Mallein test Non-prescribed: c-elisa, RBT, avidin-biotin dot ELISA, Westernblot
Self-declaration of freedom after an outbreak March 2012 Kuwait April 2012 Lebanon May 2012 Bahrain
Conclusions OIE standards provide all the tools necessary to create sufficient transparency on the animal health situation in a country Veterinary Services complying with OIE standards are essential to provide credible health certification as precondition for trade movement of horses Veterinary services are encouraged to work with industry organisations (e.g. IFHA and FEI) through Public-Private Partnerships
Thank you for your attention