Appendix 6 Central Veterinary Laboratory, Iran – Francis Geiger

Appendix 5

FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE CURRENT SITUATION IN PAKISTAN AND THE REGION

Dr. Manzoor Hussain, Regional Epidemiologist, GTFS/INT/907/ITA

Regional Workshop on Progressive Control Strategies for Foot and Mouth Disease, Bhur Ban Murree Pakistan, (September 11-13, 2004)

Recommendations

A. Regional Approaches

• Diseases like FMD can be controlled only if there is a strong regional cooperation and an integrated regional approach keeping in view the nature of the disease and the movement of animals in different countries.

• We strongly support SAARC-GF-TADs Regional initiative that consists of components like regional support unit, regional reference labs, epidemiological network and centre and technical backstopping by OIE and FAO. We recommend that OIE be actively involved in this process and assist in ensuring a strong focus on FMD similar to that undertaken for the SEAFMD model.

• We strongly recommend that GF-TAD also take an initiative similar to the one in SAARC in the central Asian Countries and should include Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran in this initiative. Italian-

FAO project, EU-Pakistan Project and EU-Afghanistan project should develop an overlapping coordination mechanism in this regard. These projects can immediately start sharing the information on epidemiology and control of the TADs in the participating countries.

B. National Approaches

• Both public and private sectors should be involved in design and implementation of strategies. • Valid national FMD control strategy will require comprehensive epidemiological information of the disease in each country.

• Effective disease reporting, early warning and rapid response mechanism become progressively more important for effective FMD disease control strategy.

• Availability of relevant and effective vaccine is an important tool for the control of FMD in the region. Cold chain system for vaccine needs to be ensured and country should have a national quality control mechanism other than the manufacturer of the vaccine.

• Diagnostic laboratories and research institutions be appropriately strengthened. • Awareness and capacity building of different stake-holders for implementation of FMD control should be focused in the strategy.

• There should be a written national policy document for each country which should include emergency preparedness program in case of outbreak. This policy document should be notified.

• The control strategy should emphasize areas which can show early visible benefits to make it more saleable to the policy makers. For Pakistan, the control strategy should first address commercial farming (urban and peri-urban dairying), followed by market-oriented small holders and finally subsistence farmers. Commercial farmers will be willing to share cost for the control strategy and will be more responsive to the efforts being made in this regard.

Regional Project, “Controlling Transboundary Animal Diseases in Central Asian Countries” • To progress the verification of freedom from Rinderpest • To better understand the impact of PPR, FMD and other important diseases in the region • To establish communication between the countries for collaborative disease control • To establish national disease investigation, control and contingency planning for TADs

FMD in Afghanistan • The disease present throughout the year • Surveillance system not efficient • Minimal diagnostic facilities • Serotypes A, O and Asia 1 prevalent • No facility for vaccine production (only imported trivalent vaccine used when available)

FMD in Uzbekistan • Last laboratory confirmed FMD case (serotype A) in 1991 (year of independence)