1. Office International des Épizooties
World Organisation for Animal Health created in 1924 in Paris

2.   World Organization  for Animal Health (OIE) Role in Preventing and Preparing for Bioterrorism Second Meeting of the Strategic Study on Bioterrorisim 16 June 2005
Dr. J.E. Pearson
World Organization for Animal Health (Office International des Epizooties ) 12 Rue de Prony, Paris, France (

3. 167 Member Countries (May 2005)
Americas: 29 – Africa: 50 – Europe: 49 – Middle East: 13 – Asia: 26

4. Regional Representations
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE
Administrative Commission
Specialist Commissions Code, Laboratories, Aquatic Animals, Scientific
Regional Commissions
Africa, Americas, Europe, Asia- Far East and Oceania, Middle East
Central Bureau
Director General
Collaborating Centres
Reference Laboratories
Ad hoc Groups
Working Groups
Administrative
and Financial
Department
Animal Health
Information
Department
International Trade
Department
Scientific and
Technical
Department
Regional Activities
Department
Publications
Department
Regional Representations

5. OIE’s Mission
To promote transparency in the animal health situation throughout the world
To promote the safety of world trade in animals and animal products
To improve the legal framework and resources of national Veterinary Services
To collect, analyse and disseminate veterinary information
To strengthen international coordination and cooperation in the control of animal diseases

6. International Relationships
Institutional cooperation:
World Health Organization (WHO)
Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
World Trade Organization (WTO)
Codex Alimentarius
International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
World Bank
Technical and scientific cooperation with more than 20 regional organisations and international professional associations

7. Consequences of Bio-Terrorism/Agro-Terrorism
Severe economic impact on the livestock industry
Disruption of food supply
Disruption of trade
Human diseases (zoonoses)

8. Impact of Disease Outbreaks
Newcastle, US, 2003: $56 million spent by USDA, 12 million birds killed
Foot and mouth disease, UK 2001: $12 billion
FMD, Taiwan 1997: $15 billion
Classical Swine Fever, The Netherlands 1997: $2 billion

9. Agro-Terrorism History
801: Prince of Benevent’s forces spread white powder on farms, causing disease in cattle
World War I: Germany infected cattle/horses in Argentina, France, Norway, Romania, Spain, and USA with anthrax and glanders
: Rhodesia Security Forces infected cattle with anthrax
1997: Russians used glanders against horses in Afghanistan

10. The OIE plays a critical role in the prevention, early detection, reporting, and control of animal diseases. The OIE uses a similar approach for natural, accidental or deliberate introduction.

11. OIE’s Role in:
Detection and Reporting Bio-Terrorism/Agro-Terrorism (a Bio-Event)
Combating Bio-
Terrorism/Agro-Terrorism

12. Detection and Reporting of Bio-Terrorism/Agro-Terrorism
OIE information system promotes transparency of global animal disease status in order to minimize disease spread
Member Countries provide early warning, weekly, and monthly reports and year end summaries to the OIE
Reports are provided to all interested parties:

13. Within 24 Hours, the Following will be Reported to the OIE:
First occurrence or re–occurrence of a disease listed by the OIE in a disease free country or zone
Changes in the epidemiology of a disease i.e. host range, pathogenicity, new strain, zoonotic impact
A sudden and unexpected increase in morbidity or mortality caused by an existing disease
An emerging disease with significant morbidity/mortality or zoonotic potential

14. Source of Early Warning Disease Reports
Reports from Member Countries
Reports from OIE Reference Laboratories with Member Country verification
Active search of unofficial sources, such as scientific publications and ProMed, and lay publications, with Member Country verification
Improved Member Country surveillance is encouraged and supported by FAO and OIE

15. Detection and Reporting of Bio-Terrorism/Agro-Terrorism
OIE supports building laboratory capacity and harmonization of diagnostic testing and vaccination through use of:
Standard methods –OIE diagnostic Manuals for terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases
International Reference Sera
Quality assurance guidelines
Reference Laboratories / Collaborating Centres

16. Detection and Reporting of Bio-Terrorism/Agro-Terrorism
OIE Reference Laboratories:
154 Laboratories, in 31 countries with 150 world renowned experts
Provide a source of expertise and standard reagents
Provide services not available in National laboratories such as “fingerprinting” of isolates to determine source

17. Detection and Reporting of Bio-Terrorism/Agro-Terrorism
OIE Collaborating Centres
OIE Collaborating Centers provide reference assistance and capacity building on animal health issues such as diagnostic testing, surveillance , epidemiology, risk analysis, training of animal health officials, etc.
There are 15 Collaborating Centres in 9 countries

18. OIE’s Role in Combating Bio-Terrorism/Agro-Terrorism
OIE’s preparation for and response to a bio-event by:
Establishing animal health Standards to prevent, control and eradicate disease
Supporting development of animal health infrastructure
Maintaining emergency response capability

19. Combating Bio-Terrorism/Agro-Terrorism
International Trade and National Animal Health Regulations:
The OIE was identified by the World Trade Organization (WTO) as the competent international organisation for developing international Standards, Guidelines and Recommendations related to animal diseases and zoonoses
Standards are approved by Member Countries and published in OIE Aquatic and Terrestrial Animal Health Codes and Diagnostic Manuals

20. Combating Bio-Terrorism/Agro-Terrorism
OIE animal health Standards provide:
The basis for prevention, control and eradication of disease incursion
Requirements for disease reporting and surveillance
Definition of disease-free country or zone and procedures for gaining or regaining free status
For free movement of animals and animal products between free countries/zones

21. Combating Bio-Terrorism/Agro-Terrorism
OIE animal health Standards provide procedures for:
Restrictions on movement of animals and animal products from infected countries or zones
Safe importation of animals and animal products from an infected country or zone
Use of vaccine to control disease
International transfer and laboratory containment of animal pathogens

22. Combating Bio-Terrorism/Agro-Terrorism
Capacity building, OIE assists in the development of:
Veterinary Services infrastructure
Disease awareness (veterinarians and farmers)
Risk analysis capability
Disease surveillance capability
Laboratory capability
Disease control methods

23. Combating Bio-Terrorism/Agro-Terrorism
Collaborating Centres provide capacity building in such areas as:
Epidemiology
Risk Assessment
Surveillance programs
Training of animal health officials

24. Summary Example: OIE’s Role in Prevention and Control of Pan Asian FMD

25. Example: Prevention and Control of Pan Asian FMD

26. Example: Prevention and Control of Pan Asian FMD
Successful detection, reporting and eradication using OIE Standards:
2000 Korea and Japan
South Africa, introduction was probably by contaminated garbage
2001 United Kingdom with spread to Republic of Ireland, The Netherlands and France
After 2001 outbreaks OIE Standards were changed to support better methods to prevent and control disease

27. Conclusions and Recommandations
The recent episodes of emerging and re-emerging animal and human diseases have emphasised the important role of the OIE’s world-wide disease information system, especially its Early Warning system.
The disruption to trade caused by such diseases, whether occurring naturally, accidentally or deliberately, and the resulting social, economic, food security and food safety implications that may occur in one location, can have a serious impact on global trade and thus affect all countries.

28. Conclusions and Recommendations (contd)
The OIE disease surveillance and animal health Standards and programmes help protect Member Countries against the threat of a bioterrorist incident and minimize the effect of an incident
Member Countries should comply with OIE Guidelines, Standards and Recommendations relating to detection, reporting and control of diseases of domestic livestock and wild animals

29. World Organisation for Animal Health
12 rue de Prony
75017 Paris, France
Tel: 33 (0)
Fax: 33 (0)