Biological threats to animal health and food security Dr Gastón Funes Deputy Head Regional Activities Department g.funes@oie.int Biological threats to animal health and food security Comments (with copyright) / Commentaires (soumis au Copyright) : EU Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention San José, Costa Rica 18 - 19 January 2007

OIE: World Organization for Animal Health Founded in 1924 – predates the UN 167 Member Countries Headquarters in Paris An intergovernmental organisation I do not think that all of you are really familiar with the OIE and its objective which is important to understand the activities of the OIE and place them in the right perspective. Since the OIE is an intergovernmental organization the operating expenses are paid by member country contributions

167 Member Countries ( 2006) Five permanent Regional Representations: Bamako, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Sofia and Beirut Sub-regional Offices: Gabarone (Africa), Panama (America), Brussels (Europe), SEAFMD Coordination Bangkok. Five Regional Commissions: Africa, America, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Middle East

Why are we worried about the prevention and control of major animal diseases and zoonosis?

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

General classification of threats related to animal diseases Animal to animal transmission Direct economic impact – agroterrorism 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 Rinderpest

Most common causes of infection Incidental (‘Normal’/expected) External (Uncontrolled/difficult to control) Wild animals, migratory birds Ilegal trade Deliberate spread - Agroterrorism

Some of the more important diseases of concern to Latin American and the Caribean Region Potential economic disasters (animal health, food security) Foot and mouth disease Classical swine fever Avian influenza Rabies Newcastle Disease Botulism BSE Psittacosis West Nile Fever Brucellosis New World Screwworm Potential human health (zoonosis) Avian influenza Rabies West Nile Fever Botulism BSE Psittacosis Brucellosis New World Screwworm

Some of the more important diseases of concern to Latin American and the Caribean Region: involvement of wild animals Potential economic disasters (animal health, food security) Foot and mouth disease Classical swine fever Avian influenza Rabies Newcastle Disease Botulism BSE Psitacosis West Nile Fever Brucellosis Potential human health (zoonosis) Avian influenza Rabies West Nile Fever Botulism BSE Psitacosis Brucellosis

Effective planning mechanisms for timely responses to an exotic disease incursion should be accorded to wildlife with the same degree of attention that is now given solely to domestic livestock.

What are the threats? Spreading pathogens from available sources Spreading doubt/uncertainty – vaccines not working; service delivery poor; etc. Introducing foreign/exotic pathogens Causing alarm/panic – can state handle it? Over-reaction – media ‘disease surveillance’

HPAI (H5N1): Countries infected between 2003 and April 2006 Wild birds Poultry

Conjectured Status of FMD Endemic Intermediate, sporadic Free with vaccination Free. Virus present in game parks Free

Increase of poverty: Loss of production; Disruption of food supply Animal diseases: economic and social consequences High economic and social negative consequences: Impact on livestock industry; Disruption of trade. Loss of livelihoods Increase of poverty: Loss of production; Disruption of food supply Human diseases (zoonosis)

What is International Public Good? Animal health Veterinary Services Animal Disease Zoonosis Human health Poverty Food security Lack of trade

What is International Public Good? Is international ownership Is a conditional prerequisite Is a buffer mechanism Is a multi-disciplinary responsibility

OIE and the BTWC OIE in support of BTWC (2003, 2004, 2005) Global surveillance and preparedness for rapid response Inclusion of non-domestic animals (wild animals) Animal diseases including zoonosis and food safety Adherence to international animal health standards

Minimize Threat of Emerging Animal Diseases Early warning systems Early detection Awareness High quality Veterinary Services Rapid and transparent notification Appropriate national chain of command

Minimize Threat of Emerging Animal Diseases New OIE World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS): Transparency and Knowledge of Global Animal Disease Status Minimizes Disease Spread

Minimize Threat of Emerging Animal Diseases Rapid response rapid confirmation of suspects confinement and humane stamping out use of vaccination when available and if appropriate Governance, legislation, policies and resources, in compliance with OIE international standards

Vaccine banks Integral to contingency planning Must be effective against prevailing antigenic strain Effective against field strain/foreign strain Animal and human preparedness Turn-over time/cost of production Quality control

OIE Approach Priority concepts International Public Good Good governance and veterinary legislation Well functioning infrastructure and resources of Veterinary Services Early detection and rapid response Surveillance, transparency, pathogen confinement Stamping out under OIE welfare standards

Evaluation of Veterinary Services PVS instrument good governance convincing govmts/donors to invest official OIE assessment endorsed by World Bank and donors upon country request confidential results gap analysis, prioritized evaluates human and financial resources early detection and rapid response national chain of command laboratory networks technical innovation alliances with private sector

How to evaluate a Veterinary Service Needs to be based on OIE Code Guidelines Articles 1.3.4.3 to 1.3.4.13: evaluation criteria Article 1.3.4.14 : questionnaire The OIE : With IICA: developed an evaluation tool “Performance, Vision and Strategy for Veterinary Services (PVS)” With the World Bank and other potential donors: developed a model to help the VS present financial support requests according to donor specification The OIE recommends that a VS evaluation is based on the OIE Guidelines as described in the Code. These Guidelines were adopted by all the Members countries in May 2002. IICA tool: feedback (communication in OIE seminar, WVC 2005, Minneapolis): Awareness passive Shared vision Performance Dialogue Specific action active Lower score = TRAINING (TECHNICAL AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS) Then = TRECEABILITY [idem AVila] Additional insight / process: Reprioritise investment Up budget Greater technical LEADERSHIP (versus technical expertise) Alliance / partnership with the private sector are critical No substitute for continuity and commitment There is a decision point : What is possible  investments and growth Disengagement  continue the status quo.

International standards, guidelines and recommendations Terrestrial Animal Health Code Aquatic Animal Health Code Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals

Partnerships Priority partnerships with FAO with WHO with WTO with World Bank with private sector representatives with donors with governments through OIE Member Countries Delegates to OIE between veterinary and medical authorities with NGO’s

OIE Collaborating Centres

OIE Reference Laboratories

Summary table of information on OIE Reference Laboratories and Collaborating Centres in 2005 Total Number 157 17 174 Countries 30 11 31 Diseases/ Topics 79 15 94 Experts 137 154

Regional Support Units ECO/ SAARC PACE-AU/IBAR SADC GCC ASEAN PAHO OIRSA IICA Not possible to reach objectives from the offices in Paris or Rome, Regional initiatives are extremely important

Agenda Short term: infected and high risk countries Medium term: at risk countries Long term: all developing and in transition countries on request

Conclusion … Ensuring good governance to address emerging and re-emerging animal disease threats If the OIE standards and its network of disease surveillance and reference laboratories are correctly implemented by member countries, the threat of bioterrorism could be better managed. The disease surveillance and reporting standards and procedures, currently advocated by the OIE, are adequate for the protection of Member Countries against the threat of a bioterrorist incident.

World Organisation for Animal Health Thank you very much! World Organisation for Animal Health 12 rue de prony 75017 Paris, France Tel: 33 (0)1 44 15 18 88 – Fax: 33 (0)1 42 67 09 87 Email: oie@oie.int http://www.oie.int Comments (with copyright) / Commentaires (soumis au Copyright) :