3.1. EMPRES thematic issues
3.2. Disease information systems for EMPRES
3.3. Progress towards rinderpest eradication in Africa
3.4. Progress towards rinderpest eradication in Asia
3.5. Managing the transition from vaccination to sustainable and verifiable freedom from rinderpest
3.6. Performance indicators
3.7. Rinderpest diagnosis, vaccines and surveillance
3.8. EMPRES resource needs
3.9. EMPRES Expert Consultation of 1998
Transboundary livestock diseases have serious consequences for food security as well as international trade for affected countries. Recent epidemic disease outbreaks have occurred in Taiwan (FMD), The Netherlands (CSF), Botswana (CBPP) and Tanzania (CBPP, rinderpest). These outbreaks have cost billions of dollars in direct and indirect losses to the livestock industries. The losses would have been minimised by earlier detection resulting from implementation of the principles of early warning, early reaction, and emergency preparedness.
The FAO Conference and the World Food Summit have strongly supported the EMPRES mandate to promote the effective containment and control of the most serious epidemic livestock diseases. Therefore, it was recommended that FAO assist Member Countries to enhance their preparedness to counter these serious livestock diseases. Specifically in respect to these thematic issues concerning EMPRES, the Expert Consultation recommended that;
3.1.1. In respect of emergency preparedness
Member Countries include animal health emergencies (such as rinderpest epidemics) as a component of their national Natural Disaster Plan. This will allow essential government services to be more quickly called upon to support veterinary services in the emergency disease control campaign.
3.1.2. In respect of planning for emergencies
Member Countries appoint a high level National Animal Disease Emergency Committee (including representatives from all relevant ministries and stake-holders) to co-ordinate national preparedness and national eradication programmes for serious epidemic livestock diseases.
3.1.3. In respect of national veterinary services
Member Countries establish strong central veterinary authorities with clear lines of authority in order to deal effectively with transboundary diseases.
3.1.4. In respect of a national EMPRES unit
Member Countries establish an EMPRES unit led by a senior veterinary officer within the national veterinary service headquarters as the co-ordinating group for implementation of policies and programmes formulated by the National Animal Diseases Emergencies Committee.
3.1.5. In respect of contingency plans
Member Countries prepare documented contingency plans for rinderpest and other important transboundary diseases which they perceive to be of highest threat. Veterinary officers involved in preparation and implementation of these plans will need to receive comprehensive training.
3.1.6. In respect of regional co-operation
FAO act as a catalyst in the adoption of EMPRES at the national level by assisting the development of 'clusters' of countries within a region and with similar disease problems to co-operate closely in their disease prevention and control programmes.
3.1.7. In respect of the formation of 'clusters ' of countries
FAO promote the formation of country 'clusters' though ministerial meetings and existing regional organisations such as OAU, SAARC, and ASEAN.
3.1.8. In respect of a pilot programme of 'clusters' of countries
FAO identify, as a pilot programme, several small 'clusters' of countries using the following criteria (see Table 1. and Table 2. in Appendix 6.);
· the role of the livestock production systems in the agricultural economy and food security,· the interest among local, national and regional stake-holders to combat and prevent epidemic diseases,
· the socio-economic impact of transboundary diseases,
· the epidemiological situation in adjacent countries based upon epidemic risk and ecosystem,
· the technical feasibility to reduce and contain the disease problem,
· the existence of regional organisations able to facilitate implementation.
3.1.9. In respect of the adoption of EMPRES
FAO form 'clusters' of countries in key regions to support the GREP as the first phase in the adoption of EMPRES at the national level, and that development of 'clusters' for other EMPRES diseases be considered in the second phase of development (see Table 1 in Appendix 6.).
3.1.10. In respect of regional EMPRES personnel
FAO progressively appoint at least three (3) regional EMPRES co-ordinating officers-one each in Africa, the Middle East, and south Asia. These appointments, together with adequate operating funds, are considered critical to the success of national EMPRES programs within the pilot 'clusters'.
3.1.11. In respect of national veterinary services
FAO facilitate within national veterinary services, rapid global communication on animal transboundary diseases through electronic communication systems (e-mail connections, audio-visual training aids).
3.1.12. In respect of a media strategy for EMPRES
FAO develop and implement a media strategy for the national and international promotion of EMPRES principles.
3.1.13. In respect of contingency funding
Member Countries seek contingency funding for the effective implementation of emergency prevention systems including the operations of the national livestock EMPRES. The expert consultation suggested that such resources could be acquired by inclusion as a component of debt relief. It was recommended that FAO assist Member Countries in bringing this concept to the attention of appropriate organisations such as the World Bank, IFAD and the IMF.
3.1.14. In respect of non-government organisations
FAO seek NGO financial support for regional and national EMPRES activities and in particular inform and seek their participation in the GREP.
The development of the transboundary animal disease information system was discussed and the Expert Consultation recommended that;
3.2.1. In respect of the roles within the information system
FAO EMPRES define its role relative to that of the OIE, regional organisations and Member Countries within the information system and that this role include;
· verifying and validating information generated at the country level and assisting countries to identify and investigate rumours and suspect cases,· identifying spatial and temporal disease patterns of significance,
· warning countries of, and facilitating rapid co-ordinated response to, potential adverse developments which present a significant risk of spread of priority diseases,
· supporting and developing innovative approaches to surveillance and information systems from the village level up,
· presenting the global picture of the actual and potential spread of priority diseases following collation, analysis and presentation of data collected at the national and regional levels.
3.2.2. In respect of support for regional organisations
FAO, in developing the EMPRES information system, supports regional organisations and, through them, countries in the activities listed in section 3.2.1.
3.2.3. In respect of planning of the system
FAO, in planning the EMPRES disease information system, clearly defines the objectives of the system, the data needed and its purpose. It was recommended that the system be developed with an initial focus on GREP or, in those countries where rinderpest does not present a risk, on one of the priority diseases identified by the country.
3.2.4. In respect of the phases of development of the system
FAO consider short, medium and long term phases in the development of the information system over a 4-6 year time scale including time for planning and skills development. These phases would involve;
- in the short term,· verification and validation of data and surveillance systems,· assist countries in the assessment of their surveillance and information systems system and in improving performance and usefulness in supporting decision making.
- in the long term,
· using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to look at spatial and temporal patterns of disease, animal and human movement and changes in the production and marketing systems as they relate to the occurrence of priority and emerging diseases.
The progress made by countries and the regional organisation in the eradication of rinderpest and the performance of countries in adhering to the time-table for declaring freedom from disease was reviewed and the Expert Consultation recommended that;
3.3.1. In respect of awareness of the Blueprint timetable
FAO ensure that countries are fully aware of the Blueprint timetable and the progress made on it by themselves and their neighbours. This could be facilitated by FAO and by OAU/IBAR PARC through routine publication in their bulletins and on the Internet.
3.3.2. In respect of countries that are behind schedule
Member Countries which have fallen behind the Blueprint schedule are encouraged, through GREP and PARC, to re-establish their position on the OIE Pathway. Where appropriate, countries are strongly encouraged to make provisional declarations of freedom from disease to the OIE and their neighbours.
3.3.3. In respect of national surveillance systems
Member Countries which do not have a national surveillance system in place are encouraged, as a matter of urgency, to do so.
3.3.4. In respect of the sanitary cordon
PARC re-evaluate and strengthen the existing sanitary cordon in Central Africa. The possibility of establishing a new sanitary cordon further east towards the source of infection in Sudan is encouraged. It was recommended that the sanitary cordon be comprised of two (2) zones;
· a buffer zone of well vaccinated cattle within which there is active surveillance for disease and cattle movement, and· on the disease-free side of this zone, a separate zone of intensive surveillance for presence of clinical signs of disease and within which vaccination is not carried out.
3.3.5. In respect of areas affected by civil war
FAO, PARC and other organisations involved in the GREP find new approaches towards rinderpest eradication in those infected areas afflicted by civil war and, where possible, implement and assess the effectiveness of these approaches.
3.3.6. In respect of 'clusters' of countries
Member Countries support the concept of improving progress along the OIE Pathway by forming 'clusters' of countries with similar epidemiological profiles.
3.3.7. In respect of re-infection from Asia
Co-ordinating organisations in the GREP take active steps to reduce the possibility of re- infecting Africa from Asia, including closer co-operation between east African countries and known infected countries such as Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
3.3.8. In respect of the review of progress
Co-ordinating organisations in the GREP review and report on the progress of countries along the OIE Pathway and in relation to the Blueprint timetable, every 6 months.
The progress made by countries in the eradication of rinderpest and the performance of countries in adhering to the time-table for declaring freedom from disease was reviewed and the Expert Consultation recommended that;
3.4.1. In respect of awareness of the GREP
FAO enhance the awareness of the GREP in many parts of Asia and bring countries into active participation. The need for this is especially urgent for the southern, former CIS countries which are at significant risk of rinderpest invasion through livestock trade.
3.4.2. In respect of the situation in Pakistan
FAO request the anticipated international assistance for rinderpest eradication in Pakistan be implemented without delay as the continuing persistence of rinderpest in this country remains a cause of grave concern for neighbouring countries and trading partners.
3.4.3. In respect of the situation in west Asia and the Arabian Peninsula
FAO urgently establish international co-ordination for the regions of West Asia and the Arabian Peninsula to protect against reintroduction of rinderpest.
3.4.4. In respect of the situation in Yemen
FAO must identify external assistance to resolve the situation in Yemen as persisting rinderpest infection is of major concern.
3.4.5. In respect of the situation in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia enhance its surveillance capability and implement an effective eradication programme.
The increased risks to countries ceasing vaccination and the minimum length of time from ceasing vaccination to freedom from infection was discussed by the Expert Consultation which recommended that;
3.5.1. In respect of the risk of reintroduction of infection
Countries considering stopping vaccination, but which are unable to reduce the risk of re- introduction of rinderpest from neighbouring countries to an acceptable level, only proceed along the OIE Pathway as part of a regionally co-ordinated programme.
3.5.2. In respect of resources for surveillance and emergency action
Countries ceasing vaccination make available resources for surveillance and emergency action to control the risk of either possible residual disease foci or re-introduction of disease. Making these resources available is justified as the costs of proceeding on the OIE Pathway to freedom from rinderpest are lower than the costs of continuing vaccination indefinitely.
3.5.3. In respect of guidance to countries declaring provisional freedom
The OIE issue guidance to countries declaring provisional freedom from disease as to the critical importance of having an effective surveillance system and prepared contingency plans in case of the reintroduction of rinderpest disease.
Performance indicators are an invaluable tool in the assessment of the effectiveness of all disease control programmes. The Expert Consultation recommended that;
3.6.1. In respect of the development of performance indicators
The Joint FAO/IAEA Division prepare and publish a set of performance indicators for rinderpest surveillance in countries ceasing vaccination and proceeding down the OIE Pathway. It was recommended that these indicators be field tested and validated in each of the key regions of the GREP.
3.6.2. In respect of the polio vaccination programme
The Joint FAO/IAEA Division make use of the experience gained by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) to develop appropriate performance indicators for rinderpest surveillance.
3.6.3. In respect of rinderpest surveillance procedures
Co-ordinating organisations in the GREP use performance indicators for all GREP activities, but, in particular, for the assessment of effectiveness of surveillance for rinderpest.
The Expert Consultation discussed research priorities of the GREP and recommended that;
3.7.1. In respect of rinderpest diagnosis
· the sensitivity of pen-side tests be increased and include a differential diagnosis capability for the rinderpest-like diseases,· the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test satisfy performance requirements for sero-surveillance,
· additional monoclonal antibodies be produced against rinderpest and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) viruses to establish monoclonal antibody panels for epidemiological investigations, and
· the antigen detection ELISA be further developed and standardised.
3.7.2. In respect of rinderpest vaccines
· complete the evaluation of the PPR strain vaccine for control of rinderpest,· validate assays to discriminate animals vaccinated with PPR vaccine from those infected with rinderpest,
· develop recombinant vaccines for protection against rinderpest, and
· develop markers in rinderpest and PPR vaccines.
3.7.3. In respect of rinderpest diagnosis
· investigate the possibility that rinderpest vaccine RNA can be detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method in eye swab samples taken at different times after vaccination.
3.7.4. In respect of pathogenicity and epidemiology of rinderpest virus
· investigate if mild strains of rinderpest virus become virulent during serial passage by contact in cattle,· investigate if rinderpest virus is maintained by small ruminants and/or transmitted from small ruminants to cattle and vice versa, and
· investigate if there is a wildlife reservoir for mild strains of rinderpest virus when concerns arise about its existence.
3.7.5. In respect of funds for research
· the FAO Rinderpest World Reference Laboratory-Pirbright (WRL) and Centre de Cooperation Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Development (CIRAD-EMVT) requires additional financial support for research,· donor financial support be sought for essential research, and
· the need for additional funds for research be brought to the attention of the EC and the Assistant Director General of the FAO.
3.7.6. In respect of surveillance for rinderpest
· the surveillance of wildlife for evidence of rinderpest infection be a continuing activity,· a greater number of samples be collected from suspect cases of rinderpest for submission to national laboratories and the WRL. Every effort be made to collect and transport samples in such a manner that if infectious virus is present it is protected against inactivation during transport to the laboratory, and
· The WRL should provide the CIRAD-EMVT, Montpellier with representative samples of rinderpest virus.
EMPRES has a critical role in supporting the GREP. Resources available to meet the tasks and objectives are inadequate both in manpower for developing early warning systems and in finance to support essential research.
The Expert Consultation recommended that an independent review be urgently undertaken of the resource needs for EMPRES to enable it to effectively meet its mandate and given the critical role of EMPRES in the GREP, every effort be made by FAO to secure the required resources.
The Expert Consultation recommended that the Consultation in 1998 should concentrate exclusively on reviewing world wide progress of the GREP.
