Reports Archive: 33rd session, Rome 1999
he Thirty-third Session of the European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-mouth Disease (EuFMD Commission) was held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in Rome, Italy between 7th -9th April 1999.
Dr A. Sawadogo, Assistant Director General, Agriculture Department, FAO, opened the Session by welcoming all participants on behalf of the Director of FAO. He noted that 33 countries were currently members of the EuFMD Commission and that the majority of them were represented at this Session. He was particularly pleased to welcome observers from 8 other countries, including those from Algeria, Egypt, Estonia, Georgia, I.R. of Iran, Morocco, Russia (also representing the CIS) and Tunisia.
He welcomed the representatives of the international organisations an expressed the gratitude of FAO for the continuing collaboration and support of the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) and the Commission of the European Communities (EC), in particular the financial support from the EU.
He noted that the Session would be addressing several important topics, including the continuing endemic status of FMD in Asiatic Turkey, the ongoing FMD outbreaks in North Africa and the control of FMD in the Caucasian region, all of which posed threats for European livestock.
Dr Sawadogo stressed that the FAO was always open to constructive suggestions for increasing the relevance and efficiency if its operations. He concluded by wishing all participants an enjoyable and productive Session.
Dr R. Marabelli, Chairman of the EuFMD Commission, thanked Dr Sawadogo for his opening remarks. He added his own welcome to all participants and was pleased to note the presence of Dr Y. Cheneau, Head of Animal Health Services in FAO, and also of Dr J. Blancou, Director General of OIE.
The period since the last biannual Session in 1997 had been eventful for the EuFMD Commission. It was pleasing to report that Europe was free of FMD, the last outbreak having occurred in Bulgaria in October 1996. However, the risk of infection persisted with the presence of FMD in neighbouring countries and regions, including Turkey, where a new type A strain had been circulating, The Caucuses, and the current type O outbreaks in the Maghreb countries of North Africa. The current hostilities in the Balkan region could also have implications for animal health.
Apart from the normal meetings of the Executive Committee and the Research Group of the EuFMD, there had been significant work in the organisation of training materials and workshops. Regular meetings of the Tripartite Group involving Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey had continued. A new Tripartite Group had been established between OIE, the EC, and the EuFMD Commission for the control of FMD in the countries of the Caucasian Region of the Community of Independent States (CIS), namely Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Russia. It was anticipated that some aspects of control in the Caucuses would receive financial support from the EC/FAO Trust Fund.
The Chairman expressed his thanks for the co-operation received from all the international organisations involved and also to Dr Y. Leforban and the EuFMD Secretariat for the organisation of the Session.
Fifty-four participants from 25 member countries attended the Session, and 18 representatives of countries and organisations in and around Europe. The member countries represented included Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Observers were present from Algeria, Egypt, Estonia, Georgia, I.R. of Iran, Morocco, Russian Federation, Tunisia, EC and OIE.
The provisional agenda was adopted as shown below, with a single addition concerning the consideration as to whether the current inclusion of Swine Vesicular Disease within the OIE List A classification was still appropriate. This discussion would be taken under any other business (Item 12).
Final Agenda:
Item 1: Adoption of the agenda
Item 2: FMD situation in Europe and in other regions
Item 3: Report on the CommissionÔs activities during 1997 -1998
Item 4: General report on the situation in Turkey
Item 5: FMD control in CIS countries
Item 6: Report on the activities of the Research Group during 1997 and 1998
Item 7: FMD Laboratories: Report of FAO World Reference laboratory for FMD
Item 8: Progress in the implementation of Contingency Plans in Member Countries
Item 9: Availability of emergency vaccination in Europe
Item 10: Financial matters: accounts for 1997 and 1998 and proposed budgets for 1999 and 2000
Item 11: Election of Chairmen, vice-chairmen, members of the Executive Committee / Members of the Research Group
Item 12: Any other business
Item 13: Adoption of the draft report
2. FMD situation in Europe and in other regions
Item 2.1 General report on the situation in Europe and other regions
Dr. Y. Leforban presented his comprehensive report for the period, covering the Balkans, Turkey, the Middle East, North, West, East and Southern Africa, Latin America and Asia. (Appendixes 1, 2 and 3).
Item 2.2 National reports on the situation in North Africa and in Iran
Individual country reports were presented from North Africa by Dr. A. Bouhbal for Algeria (Appendix 4), Dr. M.M. Bakkali for Morocco (Appendix 5), Dr S. El Bahri for Tunisia (Appendix 6) and Dr. M.I. Allam for Egypt (Appendix 7). Dr. M. Miskat presented the situation in Iran (Appendix 8). Dr. A. I. Donaldson provided comments from the WRL on the investigation of strain relationships in North and West Africa.
National Report from Algeria
The disease began in Grand Alger on the 21 and 22nd Feb. in cattle purchased 3-4 days previously in a transit centre. From the beginning of the outbreak up to the 5th April 1999, 164 holdings in 143 communes - out of a total of 1541 communes- were affected by the disease. It is mostly butchers cattle that have been affected (90% of cases). The disease was mostly observed in the central Wilayates situated all around the capital (Tizi-ouzou, Blida, Boumerdes and Bouira) as these areas are situated on the main highway between Setif - Gouvernorate of Grand Alger - Blida. The outbreak evolved in three stages: an exponential stage until the 18th March, a silent stage between the 19th and 30th March and the third stage since the beginning of April corresponds to the re-appearance of isolated cases in animals which hadn't been vaccinated in 4 new Wilayates (Batna, Constantine, Tebessa, Saida). Cases in sheep were reported in the last two Wilayates.
Around 3,000 infected or in-contact cattle and 900 infected or in-contact sheep have been slaughtered. From the beginning of the outbreak up to the present, the vaccination campaign has covered 900,000 cattle from a total of 1.2 million head, and 300,000 sheep.
For the Algerian representative, the sub-Saharan origin of the disease that has been advocated hasn't been confirmed on the ground, in so far as the zebu found in the "DÐpartements du Sud" of southern Algeria hadn't been affected by FMD and that in addition large dairy farms also situated in this region of the south haven't been affected even though they haven't been vaccinated.
National Report from Morocco
For the Moroccan representative, the reappearance of the disease in his country has not taken on an explosive character because the bovine herd had been vaccinated annually until December 1997. The serological survey taken at the time of the outbreak (in the non-infected zones) revealed a protective neutralising antibody level (more than 1.9) in 60% of cattle.
The total number of cases detected in the eight outbreaks declared around the municipal abattoir of Oujda - a town close to the frontier with Algeria - between the 27th and the 14th March, rose to 14 cattle. The last case in Oujda appeared on the 14th March 1999. In applying the necessary sanitary measures, 113 in-contact cattle were slaughtered.
A new outbreak in cattle appeared on the 31st March 1999, in the Province of Khouribga in the zone of action of the ORMVA, Tadla. Mass vaccination in a ring 10km around the outbreak and emergency vaccination of the rest of the province is underway. Investigations made by the ORMVA in Tadla in the province of BÐni Mellal revealed another outbreak of FMD in cattle on the 3rd April 1999. It is important to underline that all the cases that have appeared so far, have appeared in young cattle born after the last vaccination campaign that covered the entire national bovine herd in 1997.
Following the appearance of outbreaks outside the primary zone of infection in Oujda, it was decided to immediately generalise the vaccination campaign to include the entire national herd. To this day, more than 550,000 doses of vaccine have been distributed and 550,000 others will be distributed by the 9th April 1999. The mass generalised vaccination campaign will be completed by the 10th May 1999. This campaign will be followed by a national serological survey, with the view to evaluate the protection acquired by the national bovine herd. A booster vaccination campaign will take place one month later and will focus on young cattle with the view to consolidate their immunity following the primary vaccination.
National Report from Tunisia
Two outbreaks were confirmed on the 2nd and the 12th March in Grombalia, Governorate of Nabeul and in Ghardimaou, Governorate of Jendouba. 22 cattle and 5 sheep were affected in the first outbreak out of a total of 28 cattle and 100 sheep present. In the second outbreak, 1 heifer and 3 sheep were affected out of the two cattle and 7 sheep present. All the susceptible animals in the two outbreaks were slaughtered. All the cattle and small ruminants whose vaccination went back more than 3 months were re-vaccinated. On the 3rd April, a total of 193,686 cattle (62%) and 1,083,628 small ruminants (52%) had been vaccinated out of a total of 313,960 cattle and 2,102,00 small ruminants. No new outbreak has been detected since the 13th March 1999.
National Report from Egypt
Foot and mouth disease has been reported in Egypt for 50 years. The most serious episode of FMD took place in 1987 with more than 63,000 cattle 11,000 small ruminants and 230 pigs affected by FMD with mortality levels of 4%, 2% and 100% respectively. In March 1993 the disease affected around 4000 large ruminants (cattle and buffalo) in 20 outbreaks covering 11 Governorates. In November and December 1997, sporadic cases with less severe forms of FMD were observed. No cases were reported in 1998. In the event of an outbreak, quarantine measures are applied until 21 days after the recovery of the last case and in-contact animals and animals in the areas surrounding the outbreak are vaccinated.
The FMD vaccine is locally produced in the FMD Institute in Abassa. Susceptible species (cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats and camels) are vaccinated every 6 months and milking cows are vaccinated every 4 months. There has been a notable increase in the number of animals vaccinated in the last 10 years, from 6,332,000 in 1990 up to almost 14 million in 1997 and 15 million in 1998.
Since 1995, serosurveillance is carried out to verify the immune status after the vaccination campaign. Between 2,500 and 5,000 serum samples are collected and the percentage protection figures for 1997 and 1998 were 86.4% and 86.1% respectively.
National Report from the I.R. of Iran
Types O and A are currently endemic in I.R. of Iran with severe morbidity and also mortality, the latter especially in lambs and kids. Virus circulates throughout the country and is also introduced from neighbouring countries via illegal movements of livestock. Herd and flock incidence rates of 21.5% and 19% were recorded for FMD in 1998. Vaccination is practised using bivalent vaccine produced by the Razi Institute. However, there is insufficient capacity to service all requirements and coverage is only 30% for cattle and 15% for sheep and goats. He stressed that the I.R. of Iran would like to benefit from the experience in Europe of controlling FMD, and that the Iranian needs only concerned training, equipment and vaccine control.
Dr Y. Cheneau commented that FAO was involved in co-operation between I.R. of Iran and surrounding countries in several areas, including in particular the control of Rinderpest. I.R. of Iran was also a participant in EMPRES projects. The TCP prepared following the visit of Dr. A. Garland to I.R. of Iran and Turkey and jointly submitted to FAO was being progressed and had the objective of improving technical collaboration in the control of FMD in both countries.
Item 2.3 General report on FMD in East Asia
Dr. A. I. Donaldson presented a summary of the 1997/98 epidemic of FMD in pigs in TPOC (Appendix 9). This was the largest epidemic recorded in pigs since the Benelux epidemic of the 1960s. Initial diagnosis using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in a local laboratory had been misleading. Spread in 1997 was explosive with 3 initial outbreaks in March escalating to 6,123 by the end of May and with up to 100 new outbreaks per day. Recrudesce was linked with recycling of infected pig meat and sporadic cases continued into early 1998. The epidemic involved over 180,000 porcine fatalities and the slaughter of more than 4 million pigs.
The causative virus was related to the Far Eastern grouping, including strains from Hong Kong and the Philippines, and probably circulating in China. It also showed a close relationship to the virus recovered from the 1995 Russian outbreak in pig farm in the Moscow area believed to have been caused by the import of infected pork meat from China.
He drew particular attention to the preferred use of ELISA for the diagnostic detection of FMD antigen, especially when good quality vesicular material was available. Specialised PCR methodology was not generally recommended for the primary diagnosis of FMD, although it was a valuable technique in other applications, such as for the detection of antigen in probang samples and for use in amplifying antigen for sequencing.
General Discussion:
Disease in the Balkans:
Regarding the serological surveys following the 1996 outbreaks of FMD in the Balkans, that were implemented in 1997-1998 with the participation of three EU laboratories and with EC finance, the Secretary drew attention to the importance of recording the age of animals sampled in such exercises. The results indicated that no residual virus was circulating at the time of sampling and also demonstrated the usefulness of antibody assays for non structural viral proteins in the investigation of viral activity after vaccination and in the absence of clinical disease.
Disease in North Africa :
Commenting on the genetic characterisation of the type O virus from the 1999 epidemic in North Africa, Dr. A. I. Donaldson presented a dendrogram showing that the virus showed a 97% homology across the VP1 gene with strains isolated earlier in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. It was hypothesised that the strain had evolved over a six-year period in West Africa before spreading to Algeria, possibly via the Sahara desert. Recent samples from Tunisia were now undergoing sequencing and phylogenetic profiling at the WRL.
In reply to Prof. U. Khim's query as to the relationship of the North African virus to existing vaccine strains, Dr Donaldson stated that it was antigenically related to but genomically different from the Middle Eastern type O grouping and that the O1 Manissa vaccine strain was appropriate.
Prof. A. Engvall enquired as to the apparent clinical involvement of sheep in Tunisia but not in Algeria and Morocco. Dr Donaldson commented that FMD was often clinically inapparent in small ruminants. The Outbreak in Morocco, Spain and Portugal in the mid 1980s had featured clinical disease in cattle but, although serological surveys revealed widespread evidence of infection in sheep, there was very little clinical ovine disease.
Dr. A. Bouhbal reported that sheep had shown clinical involvement of both mouths and feet in two very recent foci in Algeria.
Dr. J. Smak enquired as to whether the Maghreb countries' representatives considered that the disease was now under control in the three Maghreb countries. An overall affirmative reply was provided.
Dr. Bakkali replied to Dr. Y. Leforban's enquiry on the origin of the new outbreak in Morocco, which was thought to involve the movement of slaughter stock.
Summarising, Dr. R. Marabelli stressed the danger of the spread of the disease from North Africa to Europe, particularly with the increased tourist traffic during the summer months, and the importance of controlling not only live animal movement, but also movement of people, vehicles and goods.
Disease in Taiwan, Province of China (TPOC):
Commenting on vaccination in TPOC, Dr Donaldson noted that oil adjuvanted vaccine was required for pigs and that, although O1 Campos containing vaccines had been employed initially, O1 Manissa vaccines predominated later. The authorities in TPOC considered that vaccination had been very effective in the eventual control of the epidemic.
In reply to Dr. Y. Ivanov's query as to whether a live attenuated FMD vaccine might have been involved in the origination of the epidemic, Dr. Donaldson indicated that the possibility was being investigated.
Dr. E. Stougaard noted the exceptional difficulties facing many countries practising intensive livestock farming when faced with disposing of large numbers of infected carcasses in massive epidemics of FMD (and other diseases) in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner. He suggested that appropriate studies should be conducted and the Chairman proposed that the matter should be addressed by the relevant international organisations.
Conclusions
The Commission noted with satisfaction that Europe had remained free of FMD since October 1996, but recognised the existence of the continuing threat of infection from neighbouring countries and regions and the need to maintain constant vigilance.The commission has taken note of the reports presented by Algeria, the I.R. of Iran, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. France announced that they could immediately donate 700,000 bovine doses of vaccine.
Recommendations
FMD surveillance should be reinforced in the three countries of North Africa (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia).
FMD surveillance and control should be reinforced in the regions of potential risk to Europe (North Africa and the Middle East). The WRL should provide technical support and FAO/EuFMD and OIE financial support to facilitate the rapid collection of samples and the identification and characterisation of strains form this and other regions (particularly sub-Saharan countries).
The role of small ruminants in the dissemination of the disease in North Africa should be investigated.Livestock in Algeria have not been routinely vaccinated in the recent past, except in certain border areas. General vaccination of all susceptible species (large and small ruminants with re-vaccination at 1 to 2 months post primary vaccination) is strongly recommended for Algeria. Annual revaccination should also be applied. In view of the urgency of the situation, the provision of vaccine from the EU vaccine bank should be considered. The European countries at greatest risk are similarly encouraged to provide vaccine in the form of bilateral aid. Vaccination and revaccination should be completed in Morocco and Tunisia as soon as possible. Vaccination coverage should also be verified by serosurveillance.
3. Report on the Commission's activities
during 1997 -1998
The Secretary presented his report for the period (Appendix 10). Europe had been free of FMD since October 1996. The Commission's activities had focused on Turkey and the CIS, and more recently on North Africa.
In 1997, the EU and Turkey agreed a three-year programme with joint funding to improve control measures, including animal identification, reinforcement of road checkpoints and disinfection at markets. Meetings were held to discuss measures to combat the spread of the A Iran 96 strain in Turkey, and as a result, Thrace was vaccinated in August 1998 with homologous vaccine donated by the EC. An FAO expert visited both I.R. of Iran and Turkey to advise on the control of this strain and a Technical Co-operation Proposal was prepared by the two countries and forwarded for consideration by FAO.
The Executive Committee met on three and the Research Group on two occasions. Reports were circulated from all these meetings and these are also available online on the EuFMD Web site. The Secretariat participated in numerous other meetings, seminars and training courses, 13 in all in both 1997 and 1998.
The Tripartite FAO-EuFMD/EC/OIE Group for the Balkan countries met on three occasions and a new OIE/FAO-EuFMD/EC Tripartite Group was established for the CIS countries. The new group held four meetings. EuFMD missions included visits to Turkey and joint missions along with OIE and EC were also organised to Russia (ARRIAH) and the Caucasian countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in 1999.
Extensive co-operation continued between the EuFMD and the WRL, including financial support, and also with national laboratories in Italy, Spain and Greece. Phase XV of the collaborative laboratory standardisation exercise (see item 6) was completed and Phase XVI commissioned under a letter of agreement between the Institute of Animal Health's WRL and the EuFMD-FAO. This will involve the preparation and distribution of reference sera by Pirbright for use as primary standard reagents in participating laboratories.
A workshop in Pulawy Institute, Poland was organised jointly by the Commission, The FAO EMPRESS Programme, EC and OIE on Contingency Planning and Emergency Preparedness for the countries of Central Europe and the CIS.
A new EuFMD Web site is in preparation, based on an analysis of the response to a questionnaire circulated to member countries in 1999.
Recommendations
1. Collaboration with the other international organisations was encouraged.
2. The role of the Tripartite Groups should be reinforced. Although the Commission's sole responsibility must remain with FMD, the meetings of the tripartite groups can include the discussion of other diseases and be open to a lager number of countries, in accordance with regional priorities. In this context, the technical meetings and regional workshops organised by the member countries in the Balkans are to be encouraged and should be continued.
3. The procedures for the utilisation and reimbursement of the FAO/EC Trust Funds should be clarified between the organisations and the conclusions submitted to the Executive Committee (see point 12.2).
4. The safe disposal of carcasses following the application of stamping-out is a major concern for all European governments. A study of this subject should be conducted covering the various relevant aspects (technical, public health, environmental and other considerations) and be presented to the 34th Session of the Commission.
The Chairman welcomed Dr John Ryan who had been appointed by the Irish Government for 2 years to the EuFMD as Associate Professional Officer since October 1998. He also thanked the Secretariat for their considerable efforts and all the member countries and international organisations for their continuing strong support.
4. General report on the situation in Turkey
Dr. Y. Leforban delivered the EuFMD report Appendix 11 and Dr M. Aksin the country report on Turkey Appendix 12.
FMD remained endemic in Anatolia, outbreaks being predominantly of type O with a lesser number of type A foci. The A Iran/96 strain had gained access early in 1998 causing 13 outbreaks, but there had been no reports of type A since July 1998. The bivalent type O1 and A 22 vaccination of Turkish Thrace which recommenced in 1997 had been associated with the continuing freedom of this area from FMD and had been supplemented by the supply of 900,000 doses of imported monovalent A Iran/96 vaccine funded by the EC EuFMD in 1998.
A study of past Turkish field isolates recently completed at the WRL by a visiting scientist from the SAP Institute had demonstrated that newly emerging type A strains usually displaced the preceding strain completely.
Vaccination coverage in all regions was sub optimal.
The results were presented of a serological survey undertaken in Thrace after vaccination with A/Iran vaccine. The samples were taken before vaccination, 28 days and 90 days after the vaccination. The results of the detection of antibody by ELISA showed a prevalence of 67.2% in cattle and 42.4% in small ruminants of antibodies against virus type A, 3 months after vaccination Appendix 12.
The Turkish authorities have decided that vaccination of all ruminants will continue in 1999 in Thrace, using locally produced O1/Manisa, A22/ Mahmatli and A/Ankara vaccine (the latter being a locally adapted strain related to A Iran/96). Due to shortage of vaccine and the apparent recent absence of type A, the national campaign in Anatolia in 1999 will utilise only monovalent O1/ Manissa vaccine and will be confined to large ruminants. However, type A vaccine will be produced and stockpiled for use in any emergency.
The SAP Institute will complete the reconstruction of the air filtration system by June 1999. A new laboratory for molecular Epidemiology has been established at the SAP Institute. Oil adjuvanted vaccine is under development with assistance from a Brazilian expert.
The Ministry has also begun the installation of an independent vaccine control laboratory at Bornova (Izmir).
Discussion:
Dr. R. Marabelli noted that the Turkish authorities had made significant efforts to prevent the spread of disease to Thrace. There had also been a very good flow of information from Turkey to the international organisations. However, the endemic situation in Anatolia continued to be of concern and a timescale was required for the diminution and eventual eradication of the disease.
Dr. Y. Ivanov enquired as to the current vaccination coverage in Turkish Thrace and was informed that it stood at about 70%.
In response to Dr. A. Garland's enquiry, Dr Aksin confirmed the present intention to continue with the vaccination campaigns in Turkish Thrace beyond 1999.
Dr. M. Rweyemamu commented on the policy which had been successfully followed in South America to control emerging strains of type A virus, whereby the new strain was added to the A strain already incorporated in the existing polyvalent vaccine and utilised until the situation came under control.
Dr A. I. Donaldson pointed out that the A Iran 96 strain was still present in Armenia, Georgia and I.R. of Iran and possibly in Azerbaijan and Iraq, constituting an ongoing threat to Turkey. There was therefore justification for maintaining vaccination against this strain throughout Anatolia.
Dr. Y. Leforban remarked that, unless the vaccination coverage improved, there was unlikely to be much improvement in the overall incidence of FMD. He proposed that the Turkish authorities should reassess the vaccination policy and suggested that assistance could be provided from the EC and EuFMD if necessary. The importance of sero-surveillance in Turkish Thrace was emphasised, not only to check vaccination coverage, but also to investigate the possibility of virus circulating in the absence of disease. The use of assays to detect antibodies to Non- structural proteins of FMDV was recommended for the latter purpose and support from a European laboratory could be made available for the transfer of this technology to the SAP Institute.
Dr. E. Stougaard suggested that a cordon sanitaire could improve control in Eastern Turkey and that perhaps animals should only be allowed to move for slaughter. However, Dr. M. Aksin commented that these measures would be extremely difficult to enforce.
Commenting on behalf of the EC, Dr. A. Fussel stated that the Community maintained a strong interest in the control of disease in Turkey. Although funds for this purpose were limited, an EC visit was planned to assess various control measures in Anatolia, including the status of checkpoints and of cleansing and disinfection. The independent quality control testing of vaccines from the two Turkish manufacturers (SAP and Vetal) allowed for by the decision of the EC, has been delayed but should be realised in collaboration with the Turkish authorities.
Dr. Y. Leforban drew attention to the progress made in moving towards animal identification in Turkey. A seminar had been held in Istanbul in 1997 on this topic with EuFMD and EC support and a pilot scheme was successfully implemented in Edirne Province.
Conclusions:
The Commission noted with approval the progress made in the exchange of information between Turkey and the international organisations. The Commission was also pleased to note that there was no report of FMD in Turkish Thrace, but expressed its concern over the persistence of the disease in Anatolia and the necessity to improve the level of vaccination cover in Thrace and in Anatolia.
The Commission noted appreciatively that a laboratory for molecular epidemiology had been established at the SAP Institute. The proposed cessation of all preventive vaccination against type A in Anatolia, as envisaged by Turkey from 1999, could represent a risk for Turkey in the medium to long term in view of the persistence of this type in neighbouring countries. The continuation of the current policy of vaccination will not achieve a sufficient level of cover to prevent or significantly reduce the circulation of virus.
Recommendations:
The Commission encouraged Turkey to press ahead with the development and production of oil vaccine at the SAP Institute and with the creation of the independent laboratory for the Quality Control of vaccines.
The activities initiated by the EC vis a vis Turkey should be reinforced. The independent assessment of the quality of the FMD vaccines produced by the two laboratories in Turkey as foreseen in Community Decision 98/64/EC should be implemented without delay.
The Technical Co-operation Project for the strengthening of surveillance and the improvement in the quality control of FMD vaccines as jointly proposed to FAO by Turkey and I.R. of Iran with FAO finance should be progressed.
Turkey should redefine its vaccination and control policy for FMD to establish precise, feasible objectives by zone and with timescales. European experts could assist in this definition if necessary. The ultimate aim should be the eradication of FMD.
The involvement of breed associations and of industry in putting in place measures for the control of FMD in general is encouraged.
An ongoing programme of sero-surveillance for FMD in cattle and small ruminants is recommended, especially for Thrace. This ongoing programme should have two objectives:
a) to verify the level of vaccination cover,
b) to provide assurance of the absence of circulating virus in Thrace.
In order to meet these objectives, the most recent serosurvey in Thrace should be finalised and the technology for the detection of antibodies to non-structural proteins should be transferred to the SAP Institute, so that objective (b) can be adequately attained.
5. FMD control in CIS countries
Dr Y. Leforban presented the report from EuFMD and Drs Y. Ivanov and M. Amadori the summaries of the interim report on the tripartite visits to the Caucasian region and the Vladimir (ARRIAH) Institute respectively Appendix 13.
The Commission noted the epidemiological reports for FMD in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The recent presence of a strain closely related to A Iran 96 in the North Western area of Armenia bordering on Turkey and Georgia was of particular interest. Type O had also been recently identified in Georgia, in the area bordering Turkey, and in Khazakhstan. Consequential upon the break up of the Soviet Union in 1992, the former integrated policy for the control of FMD throughout the USSR ceased. The maintenance of effective vaccination in the Caucasian and Asiatic Republics also became defunct.
While disease in the Caucuses currently appears to be sporadic, the lack of control raises the threat of epidemic disease and its spread, not only throughout the region, but also North into Russia and West into Turkey, thereby threatening the totally susceptible livestock of Europe.
The Commission received the report from the Tripartite Group's expert visit to the Vladimir Institute in March 1999. The main findings were as follows:- FMD vaccination in the Trans-Caucasian countries is inconsistent in respect of regularity, coverage and geographical implementation. No serological surveillance is currently undertaken for FMD in these countries. It is recommended that ARRIAH - who possess the capability to organise and implement such surveillance - should be given this responsibility in conjunction with the National Veterinary Services of the four countries.
The FMD buffer zone in the Southern parts of Russia should be maintained and extended to the Trans-Caucasian countries. Vaccination should be at an appropriate level of coverage and, in the Southern areas, include all susceptible species. An improved system should be implemented for the prompt supply of virus and serum samples and also epidemiological information from the entire Trans-Caucuses region to the Vladimir Institute. The system of delivery and disclosure of such information should also be greatly improved, including its provision to the international organisations.
The Russian veterinary authorities should urgently consider the improvement of their vaccine production facilities to achieve compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). The creation of a vaccine bank for CIS countries that are free of FMD should be encouraged. The details should be discussed between potential members. The Commission received the report from the Tripartite Group's expert visit to Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in March 1999.
The main findings were as follows:- The state veterinary organisations, personnel and facilities of the three countries remain in place, including: The Central Service, the National, Regional and Local Diagnostic Laboratories, the National Research Institute and the National Control Institute. However, all resources are in very short supply. Privatisation has commenced, which is likely to reduce the number of state veterinarians.
The former national, mass vaccination schemes against FMD are in abeyance due to lack of resources. Given adequate resources the veterinary services is capable of carrying out the required surveillance and the vaccination campaigns for FMD.
Principal Recommendations from the Missions:
Short Term Recommendations
An emergency vaccination zone should be created for all ruminants in the southern border zone of all three countries, commencing in April 1999, prior to the annual migration of susceptible animals to summer pastures. The vaccination should be funded partly from the FAO/EC Trust Fund and partly by Russia and the three Caucasian countries.
Fully formulated, bivalent (A-1998 Armenia / O1) vaccine should be supplied from ARRIAH directly to the CVOs of the three countries. Practical identification of vaccinated animals should be enforced (e.g. by means of ear notching). Ear tagging would be premature at this stage. There should be random serum sampling of circa 500 animals of all species in each country before vaccination and after their return from summer pasture.
Disease surveillance and reporting, including the notification of information to neighbouring countries and the international organisations, should be reinforced throughout these areas with co-ordination by the OIE Regional Reference Laboratory (ARRIAH). It was noted that Georgia had offered to co-ordinate the recommended activities locally for the three countries.
Medium and long term recommendations over a five year period
A regional approach was advocated, involving Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Russia in association with I.R. of Iran and Turkey. Contingency plans for FMD should be developed and validated for each country. Veterinary legislation should be strengthened appropriately. Training in FMD diagnosis should be organised by ARRIAH for the countries involved.
Diagnostic procedures and reagents should be validated in the three countries in accordance with OIE norms and standards. This exercise to be conducted by ARRIAH in association with the WRL and /or European National Laboratories.
Training in basic Epidemiology should be organised for veterinary personnel to strengthen national capabilities for the control of FMD and other important infectious diseases (e.g. Rabies in Georgia and Tuberculosis and Brucellosis in all three countries. Means of communication such as fax and e-mail should be developed to facilitate efficient national and international reporting of information.
Discussion:
Dr. V. Zakharov, Joint Director of ARRIAH, noted that Georgia had originally proposed the re-establishment of FMD barrier vaccination in the trans-caucauses with European support in 1996. ARRIAH and the national veterinary services in the four countries had the necessary infrastructure, experience and expertise but lacked financial and other resources. A regional approach was essential and the need for vaccination was urgent, not only for the protection of the countries concerned, but also for the protection of European livestock.
Dr. G. V. Jikia, CVO Georgia, thanked the international organisations for their support and the Mission members for their endeavours. He offered the services of the Georgian Veterinary Service to act as the local co-ordinator for the Caucasian countries. He stressed the need for a regional approach, which should also involve I.R. of Iran and Turkey.
Dr. B. Nordblom enquired whether the necessary physical resources were in place to accomplish the recommended mass vaccination ahead of the seasonal animal transhumance. Mission members considered that these were available and that the campaign would take about one month to complete.
Dr. E. Liven queried what control measures other than vaccination were envisaged. These included: movement control, quarantine of infected animals, post quarantine fate of infected animals and ring vaccination. Culling of infected animals was not envisaged and pigs were not to be vaccinated in the proposed campaign.
Dr. A. Garland suggested, in view of the 68 million doses of vaccine presently stored in the various European banks, that consideration should be given to the possibility of supplying some vaccine of appropriate strains from these banks for use in the Caucuses.
Dr. Y. Leforban commented that the immediate campaign called for around one million bovine doses of bivalent vaccine. The precise requirement and allocation for each country had yet to be finalised. EC financial support in the region of $340,000 was under consideration.
Prof. U. Khim asked whether the intention was for the campaign to be continued on an annual basis and whether sheep and goats were to be vaccinated. The Chairman clarified that the proposals referred to the emergency measures for 1999 only and that proposals for the medium and longer five-year term had yet to be considered. He noted that, in partially restoring the immune barrier, vaccine would be required not only for the three Caucasian countries but also for Russia.
Dr A. Fussel explained that the original proposal of the CIS to the EC had been for the annual funding of 20 million bivalent doses of vaccine. Due to financial restrictions, this had had to be reduced to approximately 1 million doses for one year. The final amount would be determined by the balance between the available funds and the cost of the vaccine. There could be some reallocation of funds when the final report is reviewed. He added that many other development projects were already receiving financial support in these countries under the terms of the EC TACIS project, including much of the cost of maintaining the veterinary services.
The Chairman congratulated all those involved in organising, funding and carrying out the Missions. These had provided a clear picture of the current situation and also recommended practical measures towards the control of FMD to the benefit of the region and adjoining areas. He looked forward to the publication of the final report.
Conclusions of the Session:
The Commission noted the creation of a new Tripartite group on the control of FMD in the CIS countries.
The Commission accepted the interim reports from the Expert Groups' assessment missions to ARRIAH and the Caucasian countries and thanked them for their work. The final report will be distributed to member countries and the proposals for control measures for the medium and long term will be discussed by the Tripartite group in time for the next Executive Committee Meeting of EuFMD.
Recommendations of the Session:
The Commission endorsed the short term recommendation for the provision of bivalent vaccine for the creation of a barrier against the trans-caucasian spread of FMD and emphasised the urgency of implementation before the movement of livestock to summer grazing. The partial costs of these measures can be covered by the European Commission Trust Fund, up to a maximum of $340,000, and the Session requests that FAO makes the necessary arrangements for implementing this emergency programme by providing financial support for ARRIAH, Vladimir through a letter of agreement.
The Commission endorsed the recommendation for a regional approach to the control of the disease, which would encompass Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Russia with co-ordination by the Vladimir Institute and collaboration with the three international organisations. There should also be collaboration with neighbouring countries, including I.R. of Iran and Turkey.
6. Report on the activities of the Research Group during 1997 and 1998
Dr. Kris De Clercq, Chairman of the Research Group, presented his report (Appendix 14).
Discussion:
Dr. I. G. Esteban stressed the importance of small ruminants in the epidemiology of FMD and believed that the vaccination of these species was essential for successful control. He recommended that the EuFMD should collaborate with the North African countries to develop their vaccination strategies. Dr A. Bouhbal confirmed that small ruminants would continue to be vaccinated in Algeria.
Dr E. Stougaard reminded the meeting that the EU operated a control policy for FMD that is based on stamping out and which currently excluded vaccination in member countries. The Chairman added that emergency vaccination was appropriate outside the EU and that ongoing research was valuable to establish optimal approaches to emergency vaccination.
Prof. P. Weber commented on the Research Group recommendation that the potency testing of existing, conventional FMD vaccines could now be performed by the assay of neutralising antibody from vaccinated cattle in the absence of challenge. He pointed out that the potency testing of novel vaccines - such as sub unit preparations - could not currently be reliably ascertained without challenge. Dr A. I. Donaldson agreed that the recommendation referred to conventional aluminium hydroxide-saponin and oil adjuvanted vaccines where satisfactory correlations had been established between levels of neutralising antibody and protection against challenge in cattle. He added that more research was required on the potency testing of vaccines in sheep and in small ruminants.
Dr. J. Husu-Kallio congratulated the Group on its valuable work in the development and application of assays for antibodies to the non-structural proteins of FMD. She also enquired as to the status of possible development of marker vaccines against FMD, which could facilitate the differentiation of vaccinated, vaccinated but infected and asymptomatic carrier animals. The group knew of no research to develop FMD marker vaccines at the present time.
The Chairman thanked the Research Group warmly for their contribution and noted the great importance of having this independent, expert body to advise the Commission.
Conclusions:
The Commission endorsed the ongoing work of the Group in formulating proposals for the revision of the FMD Monograph in the European Pharmacopoeia vis a vis the replacement of the in vivo innocuity test by in vitro methods and the requirement for the evaluation of alternative potency methods, including those in different target species. The recent evidence for strains of virus exhibiting marked species specificity formed the basis for the recommendation that diagnostic laboratories should employ tissue cultures derived from a range of different species to maximise the possibility of detecting such strains. Further work was also recommended on the determinants of strain adaptation.
The Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) merited particular attention, but it should be applied in conjunction with other conventional diagnostic laboratory techniques and in association with clinical examination. Monoclonal antibody panelling continues to be useful in the characterisation of new field isolates. The Isotype Specific Assay (ISA) permits the identification of FMDV antibody in milk following vaccination or infection.
The Commission noted the increasing evidence for the important role of sub-clinically infected sheep in the epidemiology of FMD and supported the recommendation that the validation of new diagnostic methods should include their application to small ruminants whenever possible.
The Commission approved the progress made towards the development of proposals for Quality Assurance for veterinary diagnostic laboratories and for laboratory accreditation. It was noted that the Standards Commission will present a proposal for consideration during the OIE General Session of May 1999. In the meantime, individual laboratories should continue to proceed with implementation, preferably in collaboration with their national accreditation organisations and in compliance with existing OIE Guidelines for Proficiency Testing.
The Commission noted the progress made in the development of the various tests for antibodies against the non structural proteins (NSP) of FMD virus, and the finding that they could be used to identify infected animals, whether or not they had been vaccinated and irrespective of the clinical outcome of infection. It is recommended that such assays should be routinely included in serological surveys for the detection of past or present infection in vaccinated animals. However, it was noted that not all vaccinated, infected animals develop NSP antibody, so that testing should be carried out on herd or flock basis. Measurement of antibody to more than one NSP can improve the reliability of the detection of infection. The development of a fully validated test method was seen as a priority in a suitably robust form for widespread distribution to diagnostic laboratories. It is important to note that the test is not suitable for the determination of an animalÔs carrier status.
In respect of sero-surveillance, the Commission noted the recommendation for the development of a standardised surveillance system, especially for the Balkans. The replacement of A5 and O1 Europe strains by the more relevant A22 and O1 Middle East strains was also recommended, especially for import testing.
While stressing that the EU control policy for FMD rested primarily upon stamping out without vaccination, the Commission acknowledged the value of emergency vaccination in specific circumstances. In this context, the principle of Regionalisation should be accepted at an international level. Whenever emergency vaccination was practised, it was necessary for individual countries to co-ordinate with their neighbours. The Commission agreed with the conclusion of the Group that the preparation of viral strains adapted for vaccine production fell outside the remit of the WRL.
Recommendations:
The Commission acknowledged the importance of the rapid recognition of variant strains and strongly recommended that samples should be regularly submitted to the WRL for this purpose. The need for further research on optimal methods of controlling variant strains by vaccination was also supported.
The Commission endorsed the recommendation that further research should be directed towards the development of new physico-chemical diagnostic tests of increased speed, simplicity, sensitivity and specificity. Collaboration in the development and validation of such tests should be extended to include laboratories not currently having membership of the Research Group.
The Commission approved the continuation of the standardisation exercise for FMD diagnosis to Phase XVI, noting that this would include the preparation and distribution of sera by the WRL to be used as primary reference standards. Individual laboratories were advised to create their own secondary and tertiary standards, calibrated against the primary standards. Laboratories wishing to participate in Phase XVI were requested to contact the Secretary of the EuFMD Commission or the WRL.
The Group considered that in most cases there was now sufficient data to allow the potency testing of existing, conventional FMD vaccines by the assay of neutralising antibody from vaccinated cattle in the absence of challenge. This opinion did not extend to new generation vaccines (such as sub unit vaccines) for which cattle challenge testing may well be necessary, at least in the developmental stages.
The Commission endorsed the recommendation for the preparation and distribution of antigen and antisera appropriate to the detection of type A Iran 96 related viruses. It was also noted that a reassessment was recommended for the most appropriate type A strain(s) for inclusion in vaccines utilised in Turkey.
7. FMD laboratories: Report of the FAO World Reference Laboratory for FMD
Dr. A. I. Donaldson reported highlights from the period 1997 and 1998 (Appendix15).
In 1997, the WRL identified the presence of a variant type A strain in samples derived from I.R. of Iran in 1996. The A Iran 96 strain spread widely in I.R. of Iran and penetrated into Turkey during 1998. The strain differed both genomically and antigenically form other known A strains, including vaccine strains available at the time outside I.R. of Iran. Several homologous vaccine strains had since been developed.
Although there appeared to be no further spread of the strain in Turkey after July 1998, it would be unwise as yet to assume that it should no longer be considered a threat to Turkey, I.R. of Iran and neighbouring countries. Interestingly, recent studies on a collection of Turkish isolates at Pirbright had demonstrated that emerging type A strains tended to displace pre-existing strains totally.
1996 saw the beginning of the catastrophic epidemic of type O virus in Taiwan Province of China (TPOC), which caused extreme morbidity and mortality in pigs through 1996/97, and which continued to cause outbreaks at a much lower frequency in 1998. Some 4 million pigs died or were destroyed during the epidemic and the rate of disposal attained 200,000 per day at peak times. Approximately 13 million doses of monovalent type O oil vaccine were deployed. While this epidemic was caused by a highly porcotrophic virus, there is also evidence of a cattle adapted strain circulating in the area.
In the Far East viruses appeared to be associated with particular species and the use of tools such as Neighbour Joining Trees had demonstrated relationships between a group of strains from Hong Kong, Cambodia and TPOC which were strongly adapted to pigs. Porcine and bovine strains circulating in Vietnam were also under investigation. Characterisation of strains involved in the current outbreaks in North Africa and their comparison with other viruses in the WRL collection showed 97% homology with strains isolated earlier from West Africa. An important possible implication was that the Sahara desert, which has traditionally been considered as a virtually impenetrable barrier to the spread of FMD, may on occasions be breached.
The substantial WRL involvement in international training programmes both at Pirbright and overseas, continued as a principal activity throughout the period. A significant proportion of this work was funded under the EU TACIS programme for the upgrading of capabilities in Eastern Europe. Serum surveillance programmes also figured prominently. Pirbright hosted a successful joint meeting with the Research Group in 1998, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the designation of the laboratory by FAO as the World Reference Laboratory for FMD.
Recommendation:
Turkish Thrace continues to be regarded as a key area for the defence of Europe against the spread of FMD and vaccination has been used to create a protective buffer zone in the area. Formerly, decisions on vaccination policy and vaccine strains were taken in collaboration between Turkey, Greece and Bulgaria and with advice and funding from the OIE, EuFMD and EC. While vaccine policy is now exclusively administered by Turkey, it is recommended that policy decisions should continue to involve the relevant national and international organisations.
Discussion:
Dr. Y. Ivanov asked why type C virus appeared so rarely. Dr Donaldson replied that the reasons were not fully understood, but were probably related to the relative antigenic stability of type C as compared with types O and A viruses and the fact that high potency vaccines were generally easier to prepare against this type.
Dr. D. Panagiotatos commented that although Greece had not vaccinated against FMD for 15 years there had been continuing surveillance and that this - when combined with vaccination in Turkish Thrace - had resulted in effective control of the disease in the region.
The Chairman thanked Dr Donaldson for the valuable ongoing WRL contribution and emphasised the importance of the laboratory in the global control of FMD.
8. Progress in the Implementation of Contingency Plans
in Member Countries
Item 8.1: Progress in the implementation of Contingency Plans in Member Countries
Dr John Ryan presented the findings of a questionnaire designed to assess the status of member countriesÔ Contingency Plans, as requested by the 32nd Session of the Commission (Appendix 16).
In general, the response rate was good, especially in the EU countries, but in the non-EU countries many did not respond or supply a copy of their plans. Most Veterinary Services have the necessary legal powers to perform all aspects of disease control. The weakest powers relate to provisions for compensation to farmers.
As comparing financial provisions is difficult as the costs and implications of outbreaks vary considerably between countries, it was suggested that the important financial considerations were rapid availability of funds in a crisis and the development of compensation funds for farmers.
A direct chain of command exists in almost all countries but the structure of national and regional disease control centres varies. It was emphasised that no structure was ideal but that what is important is that the limitations of each structure are known and that there is clear leadership in a crisis.
As procedures for sampling varied significantly between countries it was again suggested that the method is not as important as the result which should be: rapid sampling by well-equipped competent vets or technicians in the field followed by rapid and early diagnosis and characterisation of virus strain by a competent laboratory and/or WRL.
Training programmes were not a strong enough feature in the plans.
It was argued that the level of reporting of suspicious cases is linked to the general level of awareness of the disease, if this is correct then the awareness in some countries is very low as no suspicions of vesicular disease have taken place for some time.
Awareness campaigns also varied considerably and as all services have limited resources, it was suggested that long-term strategic use should be made of them to increase the general awareness in the population.
Provisions for Emergency Vaccination varied also across countries so it was suggested that all countries examine their information and decision-making system and whether they have access to the necessary equipment and vaccine bank.
Constraints mentioned in the questionnaire were: lack of funds, lack of personnel, lack of co-operation of other ministries and the industry, the role of private veterinary practitioners, access to vaccine banks, no outbreaks of FMD for many years, difficulty in getting priority for FMD and environmental issues regarding the disposal of the carcasses.
Suggestions on the role of EuFMD were very varied also. The most popular roles identified were to inform and co-ordinate, to disseminate information, to organise meetings and training courses and to promote regional co-operation. There was some support for the roles of advising on contingency plans, assistance in getting access to vaccine banks, preparation of guidelines and provision of equipment. Specific support was requested for: regional co-operative ventures; technical advice; training and simulation exercises; teams of experts; helping non-EU countries; direct grant aid; publicity and disease awareness. It was suggested that the variation in responses reflects the different economic, political and disease status and therefore needs of member countries.
It was concluded that the questionnaire was a useful exercise and that it should be repeated regularly to track improvements or slippages in Contingency Planning. It is hoped for a better response from non-EU countries and an increase in the number of plans submitted. It was reiterated that assistance would be given by EuFMD in the preparation or validation of contingency plans. It was confirmed that a small stock of non-perishable equipment had been purchased by EuFMD for Rome, including equipment for sampling, syringes, needles and protective clothing, for use in emergency situations.
Discussion
Dr. L. Hallet thanked the Secretariat for their valuable work. He voiced concern about using the low number of instances of suspicious cases cited in some responses to the questionnaire, as an indicator of weaknesses in surveillance. He suggested that future questionnaires should include a definition of Suspicious Cases and draw a distinction between cases deemed suspicious simply on clinical grounds and ruled out before being formally reported and those suspicions which are formally reported and involve laboratory investigation. Dr. Leforban agreed that these suggestions would be incorporated in subsequent follow-up questionnaires.
Dr. E. Stougaard requested that EuFMD should follow up on the countries that had not responded to the questionnaire and /or the countries that currently did not have a contingency plan. Dr Y. Leforban undertook to so do.
The Chairman thanked all respondents to the Questionnaire and Dr Ryan for his analysis of the results.
Recommendations:
It is essential that all member countries maintain a constant awareness of the risk of FMD in their veterinarians, Veterinary Services and other relevant groups who are involved in agriculture, trade or tourism. It is recommended that validation of contingency plans by simulation exercises is a priority for all countries. The secretariat should re-contact the countries who have not responded to the questionnaire to see what progress has been made since and improve the questionnaire for future sessions so that it can better determine the indicators of good surveillance for FMD.
Item 8.2 : Guidelines for Awareness Campaigns on the Risks of introduction of FMD by Tourism and Transport
Dr. Yves Leforban presented a qualitative analysis of the risks to Europe from tourists, travellers and transport (Appendix 17).
The report stressed the risks from food and other products of animal origin, and suggested tighter controls at all border crossings and a focus on transport companies dealing with infected countries. It also suggested a focus on areas at risk such as free port facilities or other zones or situations where goods are not under the jurisdiction of the national veterinary authorities.
Dr. Leforban indicated that awareness campaigns should be targeted at tourists and migrant workers with the distribution of leaflets at the borders. A draft copy of the leaflets has been prepared, and assistance will be offered in translating it into other languages.
Discussion:
Dr. A. Garland complimented the Secretariat on their practical approach. He emphasised the risk of the spread of several infectious diseases via waste food from mercantile and aviation traffic, and reminded the meeting that the 1975 outbreak of FMD in Malta had almost certainly been caused by the feeding of infected airport waste to pigs.
Dr. I. Esteban added his compliments and confirmed that all the recommended measures were in place in Spain. He informed the session that for the previous 4 weeks, reinforced awareness measures had been put in place in his country in relation to the situation in North Africa and the potential risk of FMD introduction to the Iberian Peninsula. He stressed the importance of these measures for other countries as the peak of the tourist season approached.
Dr. Liven made known to the session the difficulties encountered in getting airline companies to accept samples of potentially virulent material for transport. A number of queries were raised concerning the safe shipment of diagnostic samples. The Secretary emphasised that there were international guidelines and legal requirements in this respect and responsibilities for both despatching and receiving countries. Both export and import licences might be required along with notifications and it is recommended that the necessary administrative documents are prepared in advance.
Dr. A. I. Donaldson explained the procedure to be followed in sending samples to the WRL. The laboratory had an open UK import license from the Ministry of Agriculture for this purpose. Problems had been experienced using couriers in the past. The WRL now operated a strict procedure whereby samples must only be despatched by airfreight to the London airports of Heathrow and Gatwick. Collection and clearance of samples is exclusively by WRL personnel. The OIE Manual contains specific recommendations for the safe transhipment of FMD samples, including advice on packaging and labelling in accordance with IATA recommendations. It was useful to stress that FMD samples posed no risk of human infection.
Dr J. Scudamore explained that strict new procedures for the transport of samples, in particular by post, and based on UN guidelines, had been imposed by the UK Postal Services. Special packaging was required to comply with the new rules. This packaging is expensive but readily available. Dr. Y. Leforban stated that the EuFMD kept a small stock of sampling equipment and sample transport containers for emergency use. Sample transport kits, which complied with IATA regulations, were also available commercially from: Air Sea Containers LTD, Staniford Building, 318 New Chester Road, Birkenhead L42 1LE, Merseyside, England; tel: + 44 151 645 0636; fax: + 44 151 644 9278; E-mail sales@air-sea.co.uk ; product reference code 289, LM-2 medium Thermal control unit - Polystyrene box in fibreboard case, internal 215x215x185, external 350x350x360.
The representative of the OIE reminded the Commission of the OIE rules regarding the shipment of FMD samples, particularly Chapter 1.5.6 (international transfer and laboratory containment of animal pathogens) and other relevant provisions of the OIE International Animal Health Code, of the World Reference Laboratory for FMD, of other United Nations agencies and of prevailing regulations of the International Air Transport Association.
Recommendation:
The meeting recommended that in view of the increasing difficulties experienced in the transhipment of diagnostic samples by some members with some airlines, the EuFMD Commission should pursue means to resolve the difficulties in consultation with OIE, WHO and IATA. EuFMD should work through the UN system to achieve this aim.
9. Availability of vaccines for emergency vaccination
in Europe
Dr. John Ryan presented a paper (Appendix 18) that updated the situation as regards the availability of emergency vaccines in member countries from the situation reported by Dr. Tony Garland at the 32nd Session in 1997.
The paper examined changes in the antigen banks that are of relevance in a European context - The International Vaccine Bank and the European Union Vaccine Bank.
There were no changes in the International Vaccine Bank. The European Union Vaccine Bank added 2 new serotypes (2,500,000 doses of both Asia1 and C1) at its designated storage repository at the IZS, Brescia, Italy, and increased its holdings of A22 Iraq to 3.88 million doses at CNEVA Lyon. The IVB differs form the EUVB in having the capacity to formulate and fill vaccine, whereas the EUVB relies on private companies for these functions.
The status of national governmental vaccine/antigen banks and emergency vaccination arrangements was surveyed by questionnaire. There was a 100% response rate from member countries to the questionnaire. Six countries have made no arrangements for the supply of emergency vaccine. Seventeen countries have made an arrangement for the supply of emergency vaccine - either through a national vaccine bank, through a contract with a commercial supplier or as a member of an international vaccine bank. Ten countries have made more than one type of arrangement for the supply of emergency vaccine.
There were 9 countries who changed some aspect of their arrangements for emergency vaccination. Most of the changes were changes in national vaccine or antigen banks and these reflected trends towards diversifying the number of serotypes held, increasing the quantity of vaccine held and holding more inactivated antigen than formulated vaccine.
In all there is vaccine or antigen equivalent to 68.3 million doses.
Discussion:
Dr. E. Stougaard commented that, although the Danish laboratory in Lindholm no longer produced FMD vaccine, the plant was maintained in a state of readiness and tissue culture cells were revived and propagated twice a year in order to retain the capability.
Dr. M. Amadori drew attention to the fact that the EU Vaccine bank could not legally formulate and fill vaccines, whereas the International Vaccine Bank Pirbright was able to so do. The other banks depended on formulation and filling by third parties under contract.
Dr. B. Vallat suggested that existing stocks of formulated vaccine could be made available from the vaccine banks to assist the Maghreb countries. He stated that 300,000 cattle doses could be made available for this purpose from the French national bank. He asked the EuFMD to co-operate in this matter and to liase between France and other countries that might be able to assist.
Dr. A. Bouhbal stated that Algeria had already submitted a request for vaccine to the EU. Dr A. Fussel confirmed that a request for 1 million cattle doses had been received in Brussels and was being considered. The main difficulty was in funding this request.
Dr. Y. Ivanov enquired as to the procedure for joining the International Vaccine Bank.
Dr. J. Scudamore explained that countries could join the International Vaccine Bank as either full or associate members. Applications should be made in writing to the chairman, currently Mr Scudamore himself. The next meeting of the management group would be in May 1999. Dr. R. Marabelli suggested that the next questionnaire should include questions on vaccine quality, the availability of vaccine for peripheral regions of Europe and on the response time for each vaccine bank and commercial supplier.
10. Financial Matters: accounts for 1997 and 1998
and proposed budgets for 1999 and 2000
The Secretary presented the financial reports included as Appendix 19, which had been prepared by the FAO Finance Division and by the Secretariat.
The Secretary tabled detailed statements for the CommissionÔs three Trust Funds, numbers TF904200 (European Commission for the Control of FMD); TF909700 (non-EC Trust Fund for FMD Emergency Aid Programmes) and TF911100 (EC Trust Fund for FMD prevention in south-eastern Europe) showing balances of US$ 165,612; US$58,250 and US$955,829 respectively as of 31 December 1998.
The Finance Division statement number 1 showed the balance of funds held by FAO on behalf of the EuFMD Commission Trust Fund TF904200 as of 31 December 1998 was US$165,612. Contributions from member countries for 1998 amounted to US$337,940, including annual subscriptions, arrears and advance contributions from Denmark and Norway. Details were also provided of individual members' contributions. Of the 33 members, all but 4 were up-to-date in their payments for 1998. For 3 countries the arrears of less than US$50 correspond to exchange charges. The account had earned interest at US$13,543 while administrative costs amounted to US$321,975. Accommodation and facilities provided without charge by FAO have been estimated at US$50,000.
Details of the EuFMD Commission budgets and expenditure for 1997 and 1998 were also tabled, together with proposed budgets for 1999 and 2000. Support to the WRL had been increased from US$30,000 to US$35,000 and the contribution for phase XVI of the FAO collaborative study covering the years 1999 and 2000 amounted to US$22,400.
The Session approved the proposed budgets for 1999 and 2000 as follows:
|
1999 |
2000 |
|
US$ |
US$ |
Total for TF904200 |
322,439 |
323,906 |
TF909700 |
59,400 |
- |
TF911100 |
629 850 |
- |
Discussion:
The Chairman commented that the finances of the Commission were favourable and stable, despite the increase in its activities. He noted that several countries were in arrears and that these debts would be followed up by the Secretariat.
Dr. Y. Cheneau pointed out that the accounts did not include the salary and the other expenses incurred for Dr. J. Ryan, which were met by Ireland from a special fund.
Dr. A. I. Donaldson expressed the thanks of the WRL for the increased level of financial support from EuFMD from $ 30,000 to $ 35,000. He also acknowledged FAO funding ($20,000) which was in addition to the EuFMD contribution. Dr Y. Cheneau confirmed that FAO had received a request from the WRL to increase the level of contract support. However, this could prove difficult in view of the reduction of 5% that was being experienced in the FAO budget every two years.
11. Election of Chairmen, vice-chairmen, members of the Executive Committee / members of the Research Group
Executive Committee:
Dr. Y. Cheneau, Chief, Animal Health Service, FAO, reminded delegates of the constitutional requirements and of the accepted practice which has evolved towards achieving a balanced representation of the different regions and EU, non-EU countries in the membership of the eight members of the EuFMD Executive Committee. Dr Cheneau then reviewed the membership of the Executive Committee elected in 1997.
Dr. Bakken confirmed that due to his new position he would be standing down from the Executive Committee.
Dr. Vallat announced that after the constant representation of France in the Committee for more than 10 years expressed the wish to leave his place to another country and to provisionally withdraw from the Committee.
The Commission was then requested to vote for the designation of one Chairman, two vice-Chairmen and five members of the Committee.
Dr. R. Marabelli was unanimously elected to the position of Chairman.
Dr. Dr L. Celeda was elected as first Vice Chairman and Dr W. Zwingmann as second Vice Chairman both unanimously.
For the election of members of the Executive Committee the following persons were proposed and seconded: Drs. E. Liven (Norway); T. Balint (Hungary); N. Aslan (Turkey); D. Panagiotatos (Greece); L. Hallet (Belgium).
The membership of the Executive Committee for the period 1999 - 2000 was confirmed as:
Click here to see the Committee members
In thanking delegates for the honour of being renominated as Chairman, Dr Marabelli looked forward to continuing the work of the Commission with the support of the other members of the Executive Committee, the Research Group, and the support of the secretariat.
Dr Cheneau concluded by expressing his satisfaction for the consensus of the Delegates on the designation of the new Committee.
Research Group:
Dr Cheneau explained the current composition of the Research Group and its rationale. He informed the session that Dr Schuller had taken a new position and had withdrawn from the Group. At the suggestion of the Chairman of the Group, he proposed that he be replaced by Dr C. Griot from Switzerland. These proposals were accepted by the delegates.
Dr Marabelli thanked the Research Group for the excellent support that they had provided, and Dr De Clercq who had given outstanding service as Chairman. He stated that he was sure that the exemplary collaboration between the Committee and the Research Group will continue.
The membership of the Research Group for the period 1999-2000 was confirmed as:
Dr M. Amadori (Italy)
Dr S. Barteling (Netherlands)
Dr M. Danes (Romania)
Dr K. DeClercq (Belgium)
Dr C. Griot (Switzerland)
Dr I. Gurhan (Turkey)
Dr P. Have (Denmark)
Dr B. Haas (Germany)
Dr Y. Ivanov Bulgaria)
Dr J. Sanchez-Vizcaino (Spain)
Dr H. Yadin (Israel)
Dr A. Donaldson (WRL, Pirbright, United Kingdom, Ex Officio)
In conclusion, Dr Stougaard reminded the Commission of the role of the Group, which is to bring scientific answers to the questions raised by the Committee. The Research Group will elect a Chairman from among their members at their next meeting.
Item 12.1: Consideration of the position of Swine Vesicular Disease in relationship to its inclusion as an OIE List A Disease
Dr. L. Hallet introduced the topic of whether the classification of Swine Vesicular Disease (SVD) as an OIE List A disease should now be reviewed. He recounted the Netherlands experience of SVD in 1992. There had been a "serological outbreak" of this disease in that clinically healthy pigs had been found to be sero-positive to SVD. The animals were quarantined and closely examined. However, despite the application of stress, no clinical disease was ever observed and no virus was excreted. Eventually the animals were slaughtered and samples were examined for SVD but with negative results.
The Netherlands declared the outbreak based on the initial serological results and in accordance with OIE norms and national and international regulations. As a consequence, Holland suffered two years interruption in trade and serious economic losses. The Netherlands considered that SVD had to be controlled, but that its importance had been exaggerated.
Validated laboratory techniques were now available for the differentiation of FMD and SVD within 14 to 48 hours of the receipt of samples. It therefore appeared to be timely to review the classification of SVD and to consider its removal from the OIE list A disease grouping.
The Netherlands therefore requested that the topic should be addressed by technical experts and considered by the OIE for reclassification.
Discussion:
Dr. A. I. Donaldson confirmed that the classification of SVD was kept under constant review by the OIE. He reminded the meeting that one of the most important aspects of SVD was that it was impossible to differentiate it from FMD on clinical grounds and that laboratory diagnosis was essential. Non virulent strains of SVD were often associated with subclinical infection. He agreed that a further review of its OIE classification would now be appropriate.
Dr. R. Reichard, OIE, reported that the FMD and Code Commissions of the OIE had been working on a revised system of classification for animal diseases for some three years, but as yet no alternative to the A and B listing had emerged.
Dr R. Marabelli reported that the EU had also been considering the classification of animal diseases in the context of international trade.
Recommendation:
The EuFMD should ask the OIE to consider the re-classification of SVD and its possible removal from OIE List A.
Item 12.2 Using the EuFMD-EC Trust Fund (911100)
The Secretary explained the practical difficulties in the functioning of the EuFMD/EC Trust Fund (911100).
These are as follows:
1. The necessity of obtaining, on a case by case basis, a written agreement from the EC to use the fund, even for very small amounts and for the activities decided by the Executive Committee - even though these meetings are attended by representatives of the EC.
2. The absence of an established procedure for the replenishment of the amounts dispensed by EuFMD from this fund.
To offset these difficulties and make the functioning of this fund easier and more coherent at the same time for EuFMD and the EC, the Secretary suggested that a framework should be established to define the expenses that can be covered by the fund and that a letter should be addressed by the Commission of EuFMD to the EC demanding that specific meeting should take place between the financial and technical services of FAO and the EC.
Recommendation:
The Commission endorsed the Secretary's request that the procedure for authorising the release of monies from the EuFMD/EC Joint Trust Fund (9111000) and the replenishing of the fund, should be reviewed by the appropriate technical and financial services of the FAO, EC and the EuFMD with a view to improving the definition of the objectives of the fund and its functional procedures in the common interest of EuFMD and the EC.
Item 12.3 Operation of the EuFMD Secretariat
The Secretary explained that the Secretariat of the Commission had only two permanent members of staff - the Secretary and the Administrative Assistant (plus a new, temporarily appointed, Associate Professional Officer). The prolonged absence through illness of one of the members of staff during a period of high activity such as the organisation of missions or the preparation of the General Session - which was the case during the months preceding the 33rd Session and corresponded with the missions in Caucasia and Vladimir - created great difficulties in the functioning of the Secretariat at the administrative level and this was in spite of the important technical support of the Associate Professional Officer and the limited support provided by the Animal Health Service.
To prevent a similar situation from re-occurring, the Secretary suggests that a procedure for replacing the administrative personnel of the Secretariat should be put in place in case of prolonged absence.
Recommendation:
The Commission recommended that the possibility of replacing the administrative personnel of the Secretariat
Item 12.4 Next session of the Executive Committee
The Chairman thanked Dr. D. Panagiotatos for the offer to host the 63rd Session, of the Executive Committee in Greece in November 1999. The exact date and venue would be finalised later.
13. Adoption of the Draft Report
The draft report was adopted with the reservations that the agreed amendments would be made and that points 11, 12 and 13 would be distributed to the delegates for approval and/or amendment immediately after the session.
Closure of the Session:
Dr .Y. Cheneau noted that the Session had been productive. Europe found itself in a favourable situation in Europe but it was necessary to look beyond the borders to the improvement of FMD control in other countries, which in turn increased the security of Europe. Successful missions had been carried out, including those to the Caucuses and to Turkey and I.R. of Iran, while there had also been a prompt response to the epidemic in North Africa. He was optimistic that aid could be forthcoming for Algeria within the next few days. The Session had demonstrated the quality of the work carried out by the Executive Committee and the Research Group. FAO favoured the consensual approach, which was plainly evident in the collaboration between the EC, FAO, WRL and EuFMD. He thanked all the participants and looked forward to the thirty-fourth Session in 2001.
The Chairman thanked FAO for having acted as hosts for the Session. He echoed Dr. Cheneau's comments on the high quality of the work of the Executive Committee and the Research Group during a particularly busy period. Important projects continued within Europe and in Turkey, I.R. of Iran and North Africa while the current collaboration in the Caucuses represented a new frontier with important implications for Europe. He paid tribute to the participation and the contributions of the representatives and observers from all countries and the international organisations who had attended the thirty-third Session.
He gave special thanks to Dr E. Stougaard, the CVO of Denmark, who was retiring this year after serving with the EuFMD for 22 years, including the position of Chairman of the Commission during the period 1991 to 1993. He had made a most valuable contribution and Dr. Marabelli hoped that he would be able to continue to contribute from time to time in the future. Dr Stougaard thanked the Chairman for his kind remarks and wished the Commission well for the future.
On behalf of all the participants, the Chairman thanked the Secretariat for the efficient organisation of the Session and Dr. Tony Garland, rapporteur for the Session.
Finally he gave his personal thanks for having been re-elected as Chairman and he wished all participants a safe journey home.