Managing Information on Animal Sources of Diseases Maria Zampaglione Head, Communication Unit International Conference on Management of Information Pertaining to Health Crisis Kuala Lumpur May 3 – 4, 2007

World Organisation for Animal Health - OIE Contents OIE - Some history – Historical mandates The Animal Health Information System Animal pathogens Communication as a support for surveillance Animal health data in communication products Go through OIE objectives that are related to the subject of this conference Guarantee the transparancy of the world zoosanitary information To encourage international solidarity in the control of animal diseases : avian influenza does not need a passport To provide healt standards for international trade: to give the CVO’ s recommendations on the trade of animals and animal products in case of an outbreak of one of the listed diseases. This will provide unjustified trade barriers, lead to fairer trade and is of benefit for the developing countries. Provide a better guarantee of the safety of food of animal origin.

World Organisation for Animal Health - OIE Established in 1924 – fear of a major epizootic in Europe - Rinderpest Intergovernmental organisation – not UN based Five permanent Regional Representations: Bamako, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Sofia and Beirut Four Sub-regional Offices: Bangkok, Gaborone, Panama, Brussels Five Regional Commissions: Africa, America, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Middle East 168 Member Countries in 2007 Go through OIE objectives that are related to the subject of this conference Guarantee the transparancy of the world zoosanitary information To encourage international solidarity in the control of animal diseases : avian influenza does not need a passport To provide healt standards for international trade: to give the CVO’ s recommendations on the trade of animals and animal products in case of an outbreak of one of the listed diseases. This will provide unjustified trade barriers, lead to fairer trade and is of benefit for the developing countries. Provide a better guarantee of the safety of food of animal origin.

OIE Global Animal Health Messages Surveillance and control of animal diseases: action for world public health Protecting world trade and food: action to safeguard consumers Promoting sustainable development and solidarity: action against poverty Globalisation and consumerism is conducive to the spread of animal diseases: the OIE, as the hub of the international animal disease surveillance system and the driving force behind world veterinary research, is in the front line against the threat from zoonoses. 2. Animals and their products are central to trade and our food supply and are a key sanitary and economic issue. The standards developed by the OIE within the framework of the WTO help to ensure food safety and the continuity of trade. 3. In the fight against animal diseases, each country must be effective to ensure protection for all. In this field, the OIE is at the centre of political and financial solidarity mechanisms on behalf of developing and in transition countries. 4. In our changing world, the zoonotic risk is ever greater. The OIE makes it a priority to improve sanitary governance and bring Veterinary Services into line with international standards on quality. Animal health is a global issue: sanitary governance must be improved

OIE Global Animal Health Messages Surveillance and control of animal diseases: action for world public health Guaranteeing the transparency of animal health information and ensuring early detection and rapid response to animal outbreaks, including zoonoses Actions linked to this mandate: prevention, control and eradication of animal diseases management of the world animal disease surveillance and alert system scientific information and research determining the animal health status of Member Countries international expertise in the management of animal health crises

OIE Animal Health Information System Ensuring transparency on the global animal disease situation: HOW DOES IT WORK? Member Country reports the animal diseases that it detects on its territory The OIE disseminates the information to all Member Countries countries (WAHIS)   take the necessary preventive action. This information also includes diseases transmissible to humans and intentional introduction of pathogens

OIE Animal Health Information System Immediate notification and follow-up Six - monthly reports Annual report OIE’s Reference Laboratories and Collaborating centres’ reports OIE-Info distribution list : Alert messages   World Animal Health (publication) Handistatus 1996-2004 World Animal Health Information  

Significant Spread within Animal Populations OIE Animal Health Information System Criteria for listing a disease/infection within the OIE List Basic Criteria (always considering “worst case” scenario) Parameters (at least one “yes” answer means that the criterion has been met) Has international spread been proven on three or more occasions? OR Are more than three countries with populations of susceptible animals free of the disease or facing impending freedom (based on Code provisions, especially Appendix 3.8.1)? OR Do OIE annual reports indicate that a significant number of countries with susceptible populations have reported absence of the disease for several consecutive years? International Spread Has transmission to humans been proven? (with the exception of artificial circumstances) AND Is human infection associated with severe consequences? (death or prolonged illness) Zoonotic Potential Does the disease exhibit significant mortality at the level of a country or compartment? AND/OR Does the disease exhibit significant morbidity (infected animals) at the level of a country or compartment? Significant Spread within Animal Populations Emerging Diseases (newly recognised pathogen or known pathogen behaving differently) Does the disease exhibit significant mortality at the level of a country or compartment? AND/OR Does the disease exhibit significant morbidity (infected animals) at the level of a country or compartment?

Animal Health Information General classification of threats related to animal diseases Animal to animal transmission Diseases exotic to country Diseases eradicated at high cost Diseases with specific vaccines needed for control Animal to human transmission Diseases with pandemic potential Diseases with high/sudden human mortality Diseases with slow but progressive human illness/mortality Disease with pandemic potential (AI) Disease with high mortality (RVF) Disease with slow mortality (rabies)

Animal Health Information Most common sources of infection Incidental (‘Normal’/expected) External (Uncontrolled/difficult to control) Wild animals, migratory birds IIlegal trade Deliberate spread - Agroterrorism

Animal Health Information

Animal Health Information Why are we concerned about the prevention and control of major animal diseases ?

Animal Health Information Because of the zoonotic potential of animal pathogens 60% of human pathogens are zoonotic 80% of animal pathogens are multi-host 75% of emerging diseases are zoonotic 80% of agents having a potential bioterrorist use are zoonotic pathogens Nearly all new human diseases originate from animal reservoirs Diseases can now spread faster across the world than the average incubation period of most diseases

The case of avian influenza and BSE

The value of Animal Health Data in Communication OIE provides official data that respond to global demands for current, validated, scientific information Makes information derived from the data useful at all levels Valid data-based communication to enforce the implementation of measures

The value of Animal Health Data in Communication Examples of facts that can be extracted from available OIE data: Multiple data sources available Total number of countries reporting rabies in 2006 Total number of cases of BSE in the world from 2000 to 2007 Total number of outbreaks of HPAI occurring in wildlife versus domestic from 2003 – 2007 Comparative data – number of reported outbreaks and control measures versus size of veterinary services WAHID Handistatus II (data until 2004) Actual notifications, reports Manually generated summaries Historical published data – library sources Examples of actual requests Work to find key facts for general disease cards Data inquiry: Financial Times – Outbreaks of Avian Influenza in poultry – discrepancies noted in table. Possible replies: Domestic summary vs wildlife summary on one hand versus collective summary in list of Most recent official reports Incorrectly included country with H5 infection not H5N1 Spans 2003 – 2007 – cannot quickly validate information because it is coming from different sources 2) Query from communications manager, United States’ National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Data in BSE cases for 2006 differs from report from European Committee Explanations included with table, some resolved with conversation with AH Information Department; one unresolved WWW.OIE.INT/WAHID

Communication Zoonoses account for 75% of human diseases: Valuable animal health data are key in supporting the implementation of control measures and thus in combating negative effects of animal diseases

Communication OIE Animal Health Information System TERIMA KASIH BANYAK-BANYAK or Thank you for your attention Maria Zampaglione Head, Communication Unit, OIE m.zampaglione@oie.int