Appendix 21
WORKING GROUPS EUFMD RESEARCH GROUP
International surveillance David Paton (chair), Søren Alexandersen, Francis Geiger. Papers to be prepared by the ad hoc group 1. Minimum standards for information to be provided with samples submitted to national and international (WRL and other) reference laboratories EUFMD member countries and for use in programs supported by EUFMD/EC [Action point: delivery 12/07]; 2. Definition and reporting of epidemiologically significant events: guidance paper, based on criteria developed under the EUFMD/EC/IVO program in Iran [Action point: delivery 12/07]; 3. Paper on the risk of spread from wild boar in the Israeli circumstances (SA and HY); 4. Report on the use of thermal imaging camera for use in extensively kept cattle for the purpose of detection of febrile animals (HY, to be reviewed by DP); 5. Complete the review of duration of immunity after type O vaccination (N Bulut and AD), to include the antibody decline by VNT, and the data should be analyzed with linear mixed effect model. (by 12/07); Further, serum from the trials with ARRIAH vaccine, and or other type O vaccine used in the neighbourhood should be tested by the SAP Institute or RL partners for inclusion in a more complete review (CP, EB and NB); The CRL should 1. Complete a cross-immunity test (EurPh potency test) of O Manisa vs O PanAsiaII challenge, including assessment of the homologous potency based on serology. The research group should 1. Continue work on improving surveillance [including confidence in freedom and optimization of surveillance actions to achieve]; 2. Through the ad hoc group on international surveillance, assess the significance of new strains (antigenic and genetic developments, revision of use of r-value readout) and advise the EU and vaccine companies on the need for development of new vaccine strains; 3. convene a subgroup with specific interest in the technical support to Turkey, to respond to issues raised by the Turkish authorities through the national FMD task force or by EUFMD or EC; 4. be as a group provided with more information on a regular basis on the status and plans of the EC funded FMD control project in Turkey. Papers to be completed 1. Recommended procedure (standard) for clinical examination and recording of findings during veterinary surveillance visits for detection of clinical FMD (DS: for the report: 1-2 pages, by end October); 2. Draft contract or form of agreement whereby a network of FMD labs in Europe could agree to provide services to NRLs that are temporarily incapacitated; 3. Review paper on the size and purpose of zones established for the purpose of FMD control (protection, surveillance and additional zones) [review at the November Executive; complete by June 2008].
Lab standardization and biosafety Bernd Haas (chair biosafety), Emiliana Brocchi (chair lab standardization), Hagay Yadin, Dónal Sammin Actions /papers 1. Position paper on the use of RT-PCR for the diagnosis of FMD (AD 1 December 2007); 2. Position paper on the options of decentralized testing (DS 1 December 2007); 3. Analysis of the reasons for low confirmation rates in Turkey and Iran (CP, ZZ and NS by 1 December 2007) and proposed solutions; 4. Sampling instructions for field veterinarians to collect samples with the primary biocontainment at the point of sampling for use in RT-PCR (SZ or BH). 76th Session of the Executive Committee of the European Commission for the Control
of Foot-and-Mouth Disease
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