1. Keith Hamilton OIE Scientific and Technical Department, OIE Paris
OFFLU – the joint OIE-FAO
network of expertise on animal influenza
FAO/OIE HPAI Laboratory Network Meeting
for SE Asia
Keith Hamilton OIE Scientific and Technical Department, OIE Paris

2. OFFLU Objectives
Share and analyse material and data
Offer technical advice, training, and expertise
Collaborate with the WHO influenza network
Highlight, promote, and ensure coordination of research needs

3. OFFLU contributors / technical activities
Steering Committee
Executive Committee
Secretariat
(OIE)
OFFLU scientists
OFFLU contributors / technical activities

4. OFFLU technical activities
Each is a small group of leading experts from the network
Address a task specific to animal influenza chosen by the experts
Deliver results - answers, guidance, diagnostic reagents…
Flexible
Strengthen links within the animal health network and with the human health network
Lead to exchanges of information and material

5. Current ongoing OFFLU technical activities
Biosafety and biosecurity*
Applied epidemiology* (permanent)
Animal – human interface* (permanent)
Diagnostic kits
H5 standard sera
RNA standard*
Vaccination
Proficiency testing (PT)*
* activities which involve WHO

6. Proposed OFFLU technical activities
Coordination of influenza training
Biosafety guidelines for samples suspected of containing pandemic H1N in vet labs
Surveillance/monitoring guidelines for pandemic H1N (influenzas) in animals
Algorithm – when to refer AI diagnostic samples to national and int. Reference Labs

7. Proposed OFFLU technical activities
Synthesis of PT data from different regions to provide a global picture
Generic Laboratory Management PLan
OFFLU Research Agenda

8. OIE Resolution XXVI adopted by all OIE Members at 76th OIE General Session (2008)
OIE Members reporting outbreaks should share information with the wider scientific community
OIE Reference Laboratories should deposit sequence data into public available databases within 3 months of receiving an isolate
Actions by members must be recognised in subsequent publications and other benefits

9. Public available sequence databases
OFFLU advocates the use of publicly available sequence databases
OFFLU offers details about these on its website
Scientists should choose the one that best suits their needs

10. Collaboration with WHO
Strong functional links
Day to day communication
Sharing of important surveillance data and technical information
Involvement in technical activities
Joint OFFLU-WHO technical meetings
Participation at each other’s meetings

11. Expanded mandate of OFFLU
In response to pandemic H1N1 2009
To cover all ‘animal influenza’ viruses
To address technical issues relating to all animal influenzas, and pandemic H1N1 2009
To collaborate with WHO – GIP and share information to protect both animal and public health

12. Pandemic H1N1 2009 technical discussions and actions
Human animal interface aspects of the current pandemic H1N situation*
Laboratory diagnosis of pandemic H1N in pigs*
Proposed origin of pandemic H1N1 2009*
Naming ‘the pandemic virus’ *
* Joint OFFLU-WHO

13. Pandemic H1N1 2009 technical discussions and actions
Algorithm for laboratory detection of pandemic virus in pigs
Discussion over detection of pandemic H1N in turkeys
Surveillance issues around pandemic H1N1 and the human animal interface -brainstorming*
Development of guidance for surveillance in animals*
Ongoing sharing of information*
* Joint OFFLU-WHO

14. Collaboration with NVSL and NAHLN
lab testing algorithm for pandemic H1N1 2009

15. OFFLU Key achievements
Strong links with WHO
OIE Resolution – ‘Sharing of avian influenza viral material and information in support of global avian influenza prevention and control’
8 ongoing technical activities
Practical advice to countries on vaccine strain selection using antigenic cartography
Rapid mobilisation of experts in response to pandemic H1N1 2009

16. Recent meetings 14th September Steering Committee
Strategic- management meeting
15th-16th – Meeting of heads of Reference Institutes and Swine Influenza Experts
Share information on surveillance and research activities
Review progress on technical activities
Develop technical work plan

17. Future Raise the profile of OFFLU world wide
Improve regional representation within OFFLU
Continue to deliver outputs through technical activities
Animal influenza networks should be sustainable and continue to generate surveillance data
Robust, efficient and sustainable mechanisms for sharing surveillance data
Mid – long term strategy for OFFLU

18. Improving regional representation
Regional observers at OFFLU Steering Committee meetings
Involvement in OFFLU technical activities
OFFLU contact points in Reference Laboratories and Centres, and Collaborating Centres in regional networks

19. Communication

20. OIE twinning projects - avian influenza and Newcastle disease
OIE Reference Labs and Collaborating Centres
Candidate Labs

21. Acknowedgements The scientific contributors WHO
Donors – CIDA, Dfid and Defra, French foreign ministry, USDA, AusAid,
USAID