1. OIE Scientific and Technical Department
Keith Hamilton
OFFLU Coordinator
OIE Scientific and Technical Department
With the help of a few slides I will give you an overview of 2 initiatives that are important for the immediate and mid to long term control of avian influenza. The 2 initiatives offlu and lab twinning complement each other because they aim to extend the network of avian influenza expertise to all parts of the world so that expertise is readily available to all.
It is acknowledged that avian influenza H5N1 will continue to be a problem for several years and a long term strategy has to be adopted. The disease is currently entrenched in Egypt, Nigeria and Indonesia. Increases risk of reoccurence in other areas.
We must also not forget that there are other strains out there that also pose a risk to animal and human health such as H9N2
We have learned that successful control strategies need to be based on science and need to be supported by strong vet services

2. WORLD ORGANISATION FOR ANIMAL HEALTH (OIE)
An intergovernmental organisation
172 Members
Founded in 1924
(predates the UN)
Headquarters in Paris with
9 regional offices and sub offices
Mandate : “to improve Animal Health
worldwide”
Intergovernmental
1924 predates UN 20+ members. The OIE was set up following an outbreak of Rinderpest in Belgium caused by some Zebu cattle in transit from India to Brazil.
Now (2007)- there are 169 member countries + territories of the OIE
5 regional offıces: Asia/Pacific (Tokyo), Americas (Panama, Buenos Aires; Central America- Panama), Africa (Bamako; Gaborone), Europe (E.Europe Sofia, Brussels), Middle East (Beirut), South East Asia (FMD – Bangkok)
Subregıonal offıces: Brussels, Gabarone
Broad mandate – can be summarised in the objectives

3. Americas: 29 – Africa: 51 – Europe: 51 – Middle East: 13 – Asia: 28
172 MEMBERS (January 2008) 29 51 13 28
51 members in Africa.
Americas: 29 – Africa: 51 – Europe: 51 – Middle East: 13 – Asia: 28

4. OIE OBJECTIVES Transparency of global disease situation
Provide expertise, encourage international solidarity
Collect, analyse, disseminate scientific information
Standards for safe global trade in animals and animal products
Promotion of Veterinary Services
Food safety (farm level) and animal welfare
The lists A+B COMBINED to 1 LIST 100+ diseases affecting mammals, fish, molluscs, bees.
Listed diseases – a serious threat to animal health or production or human health.
Members report occurrences of these diseases to the OIE, once reported the info is then disseminated to Members. Allows countries to take preventative action reduce the likelihood of further spread.
Thru network of ref labs, collaborating centres and codes/guidelines, OIE provides expertise to help countries control disease. Important for developing countries. OIE is looking to extend this capacity and expertise to areas where it is needed through twinning.
Constantly review scientific info about disease control – made available to help members to imp. Control. Info disseminated in science and tech reviews
Int. standards and guidelines for the control of major animal diseases are developed and set by the OIE on the basis of scientific principles. Supports the requirement of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement of the WTO that ‘sanitary measures should be scientifically justifiable’. OIE standards are recognised as the reference. measures that countries can use to protect themselves against import of disease through trade.
The ability to control disease depends on the strength of national veterinary services. This is a global concern and we want to eliminate disease at source. OIE is assisting countries in improving their veterinary services. One initiative the Performance Vision strategy programme aims to identify gaps – this is the first step.
Imp. Synergy with codex alimentarius. OIE deals with risk at farm level BEFORE it is a product e.e salmonella- poultry. Codex Al deals with it once a product

5. OIE STANDARDS Terrestrial Animal Health Code
Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals
Aquatic Animal Health Code
Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals
safeguard world trade without unjustified barriers i.e. based on scientific principles
WTO recognises OIE standards, guidelines and recommendations as the international standards for animal health and zoonoses.
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement of the WTO that ‘sanitary measures should be scientifically justifiable’.
CODE
Lays down standards, guidelines and recommendations that should be followed to ensure safe international trade in animals and animal products
One for terrestrial animals and one for aquatic animals
MANUAL
The OIE standards for laboratory testing and vaccination are laid out in the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals. Again, one for terrestrial animals and one for aquatic animals.
Code and Standards adopted each year at gen. session by consensus of IC. Any proposed changes are debated before adoption

6. OIE Reference Laboratories – expertise in surveillance and control of a named disease (avian influenza, Rift Valley fever)
OIE Collaborating Centres – expertise in a specific designated sphere of competence (epidemiology, welfare etc)
There are 2 types of centre of expertise that OIE recognises

7. THE OIE STANDARDS FOR AI
Terrestrial Code Chapter : Avian Influenza
Terrestrial Code Appendix 3.8.9: Guidelines for the surveillance of Avian Influenza
Manual : Chapter
Development of guidelines on the implementation
of vaccination and for compartmentalisation for
AI and Newcastle disease
In the CODE and MANUAL specific sections on AI, this is where to find them.
Terrestrial code – defines NAI and differentiates HPNAI/LPNAI. Defines poultry. Describes the measures for preventing spread of NAI through trade so member states can protect themselves
Appendix on surveillance – specific guidelines on surveillance to detect disease early, declare oneself free, to retain free status and to regain freedom. Provides guidance on surveillance in face of vaccination which is vital if a vaccination programme is adopted.

8. OIE LABORATORY TWINNING FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA
Will mention OIE lab twinning for avian influenza. However OIE supported lab twinning applies to collaborating centres and laboratories. It would account for the existing OIE/EC/SADC/PRINT programme.
OIE supported twinning applies to reference laboratories and collaborating centres

9. OIE REFERENCE LABORATORIES
171 Reference Laboratories in 2007
Bias of OIE Reference Laboratories to Northern Hemisphere. Especially Western Europe

12. OIE AVIAN INFLUENZA REFERENCE LABORATORIES
7 OIE Avian influenza reference laboratories. Again a bias towards Northern Hemisphere – none in Africa, Latin America or SE Asia.

13. HPAI OUTBREAKS 2006 Situation at the end of 2006.
All HPAI outbreaks i.e. including H5N2 outbreak in S Africa/Zimbabwe
Blue dots show where the outbreaks have been resolved, red dots where it is ongoing– so there is cause for optimism

14. HPAI OUTBREAKS 2007 Distribution of outbreaks.
There are some areas where the disease remains entrenched (Egypt, Nigeria and Indonesia), some areas that have successfully eliminated the disease and other areas where there have been reoccurrences.
Lack of AI reference laboratories in Africa and SE Asia

15. OIE AVIAN INFLUENZA REFERENCE LABORATORIES
VLA, Weybridge, UK; Ian Brown
FLI, Riems, Germany; Timm Harder
CSIRO, Geelong, Australia; Paul Selleck
IZSVe, Padova, Italy; Ilaria Capua
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Hiroshi Kida
NVL, Ames, USA; B Panigraphy
NCFAD, Winnipeg, Canada; John Pasick
List of the 7 OIE Reference Laboratories for avian influenza

16. MANDATE OF OIE REFERENCE LABORATORY (GENERAL)
Reference Laboratories of the Office International des Epizooties shall have as their principal mandate:
to function as a centre of expertise and standardisation for a designated disease(s) or topics;
to store and distribute to national laboratories biological reference products and any other reagents used in the diagnosis and control of the designated disease(s) or topics;
to develop new procedures for diagnosis and control of the designated disease(s) or topics;
to gather, process, analyse and disseminate epizootiological data relevant to their speciality;
to place expert consultants at the disposal of the Office International des Epizooties.
This is the mandate
Must have sufficient resources – need to be supported by delegate

17. REQUIREMENTS FOR OIE AVIAN INFLUENZA REFERENCE LABORATORY STATUS
OIE/FAO Reference laboratory
Accession procedures for international submissions
Virus isolation/full H & N sub typing
RT and RRT-PCR for H5/N1
HI/NI/ELISA serology
Gene sequencing
IVPI testing and live bird studies
Reagent production
QA & proficiency testing
Training
International Consultancy
Establishing international testing standards
Some of the general characteristics that are needed to become a reference laboratory for avian influenza
What are they doing already?

18. PRINCIPLES FOR CONTROL OF TADs
For disease control….
Effective surveillance and internationally validated laboratory procedures
Rapid accurate diagnosis and reporting
All countries and territories need access to this
Detect disease early so measures can be implemented when disease is more amenable to control.
Other countries need to be notified so that they can protect themselves from introduction through trade (OIE code).
With transboundary animal disease – an outbreak in any 1 country – threat to the whole international community. Access to reference laboratories for rapid accurate diagnosis and reporting to international community.
Need a good global distribution so all have access to it.

19. EXTENDING THE NETWORK OF OIE REFERENCE LABORATORY CAPACITY AND EXPERTISE THROUGH TWINNING
To provide better global geographical coverage
To provide better coverage in developing and transition countries
To provide regional support
In 2 sentences the objectives of twinning are to provide a better global geographical coverage of expertise and to provide better coverage for developing and transition countries.
South Africa is in a good geographical position to provide this coverage to it’s neighbours.

20. Expertise to allow members to
Readily apply guidelines and standards of OIE
Conduct risk analyses (science based policies)
Debate OIE scientific justification for standards on an equal footing (better representation)
To reduce the risk of disease spread
Science based policy – enable action to be taken based on information/surveillance
3 Have the expertise to debate science on level playinf field – to have better representation in groups that debate standards

21. EACH TWINNING PROJECT..
Is a link between OIE laboratory (parent) and national laboratory (candidate)
Aims to improve expertise and diagnostic capacity with eventual aim of reaching OIE standards
Twinning works by establishing a link between an OIE Ref lab (parent lab) and a candidate lab.
OIE funded twining project will support this link.
Through this mutually beneficial relationship – aim to improve expertise and capacity in candidate lab. With eventual aim of attaining OIE standards. Accepted that not every candidate lab will become a reference lab but will move closer to it.
Some areas it will be beneficial to chose a lab that is not far off becoming a reference lab so that objective is more easily attainable.
Funding is available for supporting the link, travel, training, reagents etc but not for laboratory hardware. Although a component on training may be to help a lab put together a proposal for funding for hardware.

22. TWINNING GUIDE Background How to apply/proposal
Basic project management
Project plan (objectives, stages)
Regular monitoring
Post project review
Twinning guide – explains principle and objectives of laboratory Twinning and emphasises the importance of OIE laboratory standards. It provides practical guidance for the application, implementation and management of OIE supported laboratory Twinning projects. The manual will be regularly updated in light of the experience of Twinning projects.
How to apply – expression of interest – feedback from OIE (green light) then submission of formal project proposal. OE accepts that there is a lot of work involved. FUNDAMENTAL to have backing of both delegates and CEOs of labs.
Project plan – objectives, how they will be met, at what cost and by who. Summarizes the benefits that the project will provide
Project management – the project should have a business case.
Clearly defined achievable objectives from the outset
Should be broken into stages with a product from each stage (workshop etc). End of each stage review to check that objectives are met and review budget. PP continually updated.
Post project review to assess what the benefits have been. What problems have been encountered and to look at longer term follow up i.e. to continue to strive towards ref statuts. Recommendations can feed into future projects

23. SCOPE Realistic, achievable goals Variability – OIE Reference status??
Objectives, subjects
Length of project (1-3 years)
OIE Reference status??
Important to set goals that are achievable, not to be too ambitious (real risk to project and budget if over ambitious)
All projects vary – objectives will vary and length of project. Set a range of 1-3 years
The eventual aim is to reach OIE ref status (to have more OIE ref labs) – project plan should be developed with this in mind.
Accepted that not all labs will reach ref status – but may get closer to it. Potential for the twinning to set the lab up with contact etc to continue to develop

24. OFFLU is the joint OIE – FAO network of expertise for avian influenza
OFFLU is a joint FAO/OIE network of expertise on avian influenza.
Set up in April 2005
To strengthen the GLOBAL ANIMAL HEALTH NETWORK through collaboration and sharing to minimize the threat from AI viruses to human and animal health.
Then to interface with WHO/human health network.
Global problem – acknowledged that much more can be achieved through sharing ideas, material, findings, expertise
OFFLU is about science – not politics

25. OFFLU OBJECTIVES
To exchange scientific data and biological materials (including virus strains) within the network, and to share such information with the wider scientific community.
Share viruses and information within the OFFLU animal health network for research etc.
Viruses from poultry should be sent to animal health laboratories. To get a good handle on global epidemiology and how the virus is evolving. Transparency, helps with control in poultry and pandemic planning. Early indicators of significant changes to the virus etc.
Recent example is viruses from Geelong sent to VLA for sequencing etc

26. OFFLU OBJECTIVES
To exchange scientific data and biological materials (including virus strains) within the network, and to share such information with the wider scientific community
To offer technical advice and veterinary expertise to Member Countries to assist in the prevention, diagnosis, surveillance and control of avian influenza.
Reference laboratories providing diagnostic support to countries without necessary expertise/capacity
Providing input to missions i.e. Experts or diagnostic support to the mission. Missions might include CMC missions.
Offlu scientist – assist countries sequencing etc

27. OFFLU OBJECTIVES
To exchange scientific data and biological materials (including virus strains) within the network, and to share such information with the wider scientific community
To offer technical advice and veterinary expertise to Member Countries to assist in the prevention, diagnosis, surveillance and control of avian influenza
To collaborate with the WHO influenza network on issues relating to the animal-human interface, including early preparation of human vaccine.
Agreed

28. THE HUMAN – ANIMAL INTERFACE
Agreed strategy from the outset has been to tackle avian influenza at source
Agreed from outset – between the 3 intergovernmental orgs – to minimize risk to animal and human health is necessary to tackle avian influenza at the poultry source.
Animal-Human Interface:
OFFLU network to supply human health network with any info on significant changes to poultry AI viruses (drug resistance, virulence, transmissibility, epidemiology) – molecular epi can provide early warning to human health counterparts. Reagent preparation.
OFFLU to work with human lab network to select and provide isolates for early prep of pandemic and H5 vaccines. Turkey-turkey H5, vaccines
Problems with IP issues (Indonesia etc)
OFFLU to strengthen animal lab network to provide human network with essential relevant information.
Collaboration on research/surveillance needs

29. OFFLU OBJECTIVES
To exchange scientific data and biological materials (including virus strains) within the network, and to share such information with the wider scientific community
To offer technical advice and veterinary expertise to Member Countries to assist in the prevention, diagnosis, surveillance and control of avian influenza
To collaborate with the WHO influenza network on issues relating to the animal-human interface, including early preparation of human vaccine
To highlight avian influenza research needs, promote their development and ensure co-ordination.
Obvious one.
A good example is a current OFFLU initiative to asses matching of vaccines currently being used in Indonesia with circulating filed strains. Involves a variety of skills from different laboratories (sequencing, antigenic cartography, challenge testing) in different countries (Australia, UK, Indonesia, USA, Netherlands)
Looking at markers of virulence etc

30. OFFLU STRUCTURE Steering Committee
Scientific Committee and Collaborators
Original structure of OFFLU at its inception
Steering Comm. Is the decision making authority, giving OFFLU strategic direction.
Scientific comm. And a wider group of collaborators to address technical needs/questions.
Since then things have changed – there is now a large global spread of experience and expertise. The old structure tended to be a little biased to northern hemisphere/europe. The idea is to make OFFLU more inclusive and have a better regional representation.

31. REVISED OFFLU STRUCTURE
Recent changes – more inclusive
Steering Committee
Scientific Committee and collaborators
Executive Committee - Open list of contributors
Topic based OFFLU technical activities
Structure has been changed
Steering committee remains the same.
ScC and C have been combined and will be joined by an open list of contributors. Provide a regularly updated list of experts – expertise at disposal of international scientific community.
Executive committee has been formed to implement the decisions of the steering committee and to coordinate scientific activities of offlu through ad hoc working groups.
Each group would be made up of a range of experts, with good regional representation – to work on specific topic/question
Topic based WG to support the scientific needs of OFFLU

32. OFFLU experts and working groups
Steering Committee
Executive Committee
OFFLU experts and working groups
Secretariat (OIE)
OFFLU scientists
Steering committee – strategic decision making authority
Executive committee – implements decisions of the steering committee. EC coordinate scientific activities of network through ad hoc working groups
Secretariat – now based at OIE – supports secretarial needs
OFFLU scientist – proposals for 3. Currently 1 in post - OIE funded to work full time on OFFLU related work i.e. sequencing (Indonesian isolates). Based at VLA but not VLA staff – should travel to various labs – encourage sharing of material. Get a handle on global molecular epi picture
Open list of OFFLU contributors – following recent changes the Scientific Committee and Collaborators has been replaced by Executive and OPEN LIST of contributors.
EC coordinate scientific activities through ad hoc WGs (made up from the open list) – address specific questions/topics relevant to OFFLU. Open list – more inclusive – include experts from greater geographical range and from fields besides virology and lab diagnostics.
Examples of WG – epidemiology, vaccination (with circulating field virus strains), diagnostics
Meeting with Ilaria and Gwen to look at WGs and nominate leaders

33. Steering Committee Executive Committee Scientist Secretariat
Steve Edwards (Chair)
Christianne Bruschke (OIE)
Juan Lubroth (FAO)
Cristobal Zepeda
Executive Committee
Ilaria Capua (Chair)
Keith Hamilton (OIE)
Gwenaelle Dauphin (FAO)
Scientist
Bhudipa Choudhury
Secretariat
Margarita Riela (OIE)

34. www.offlu.net Secretariat at OIE
Situation has changed – many sites out there with info on avian flu. Developing site to account to meet the needs of offlu today.
Want site to concise and relevant to offlu
Avoid duplication with these sites and post information relevant to offlu objectives.
Website functions:
Communication with offlu
Communicate objectives
Deliver information to the wider scientific community
Provide advice on sample shipment – regulations, info about couriers, MTA etc
Publish work of OFFLU Working Groups etc
Information offlu – objectives, current activities, structure, regular newsletters etc
Portal for communication – queries, contacting offlu, database of experts
Coordination – i.e. training database, links
Exchange scientific information
Training database
Advice on sample shipment – database of couriers (WHO developing)
Links- global situation, sources of information.
From you - suggestions, photos, training to post on site, info on current activities etc

35. OFFLU SCIENTIST
To support and deliver activities of the OFFLU network through interaction with all partners.
Encourage sharing within animal health network and expand genomic databases
Support to OFFLU technical groups - flexibility
Sequencing and bioinformatics
Liaison with human influenza networks
Recently posted an OIE funded OFFLU scientist.
Essentially she is a bioinformatician. Will sequence selected global isolates, analyze the results and try to get a handle on the global epidemiological picture. Aswell as working on specific projects set by OFFLU WGs.
Will be working on a range of global isolates so hope to get her travelling/collaborating with other laboratories to encourage sharing.
Although based at VLA, she is employed fulltime by OFFLU to support OFFLU.
Propose to establish an epidemiological working group – this will help to steer some of her work in the longer term.
Currently, she is working on isolates from Indonesia, as part of a vaccine matching initiative, – sent from AAHL.

36. CHALLENGES Sharing – unwillingness, IP, competition
Availability of experts – other committments
Competition between laboratories – percieved and real
Budget
Conflict
Non-transparency

37. PLANS FOR 2008
Adopt revised OFFLU structure with greater inclusiveness
March 5th - meeting of Experts from OIE/FAO Avian Influenza Reference Laboratories
April 3rd – adopt decisions of March 5th
Build up network of OFFLU contributors
Establish OFFLU technical activities
Continue work on matching vaccine strains with circulating field strains and develop work plan for the technical groups

38. Questions and suggestions?
We’re looking for involvement of experts in working groups – so please send your cvs.
Photos, suggestions etc to offlu

39. 12 rue de Prony, 75017 Paris, France - www.oie.int – oie@oie.int
Organisation Mondiale de la Santé Animale
World Organisation for Animal Health
Organización Mundial de Sanidad Animal
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