African swine fever (ASF) continues to impact the swine industry worldwide. During the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) annual meeting last week in Paris, member countries considered and passed a resolution regarding ASF. Within Resolution No. 33 is a framework for addressing this global threat, recognizing the need for collaborative preparedness, prevention, detection, and control measures. Key points from the resolution are included in this article and the full text is here. Of particular note is the recommendation for OIE to develop specific guidelines for implementation of zoning and compartmentalization. An ad hoc working group will meet this year to draft these guidelines, which could help continue international pork marketing even after a contained ASF outbreak.
Considerations
- ASF is a global threat to all pork producers
- In addition to affecting swine, ASF impacts livelihoods, food security, and trade
- Control is feasible but unlikely to succeed without a coordinated regional and global approach
- Lack of a vaccine as well as knowledge gaps require coordinated research and development
- The OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code provides harmonized international standards for mitigating zoosanitary risks
- Implementing OIE standards in relation to ASF risk management can be implemented for risk analysis, zoning, and compartmentalization
- A mechanism for uniting public and private sector stakeholders for understanding and relationship building is needed for collaboration
- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)/OIE Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) is an effective tool
- Regional Standing Groups of Experts on ASF (SGEs-ASF), under the umbrella of GF-TADs, will provide for regular exchange of information
Recommendations
- ASF control be considered a very high priority by Member Countries regardless of their ASF status
- ASF requires risk management through national control programs
- Risk communications are essential to effectively address high risk practices
- Maintain transparency and trust with trading partners
- Implement relevant OIE standards to ensure safe international trade
- Manage risk of business continuity within preparedness planning related to trade
- Take all practice steps to prevent disease spread including via illegal practices
- Improve veterinary services as well as support national surveillance and control programs
- Launch a global initiative for the control of ASF
- Account for regional specificities for global control
- Support establishment of regional SGEs
- OIE with FAO establishes and maintains an ASF Reference Laboratory network
- OIE develops specific guidelines for implementation of zoning and compartmentalization
- OIE and FAO with partners achieve agreement on value of investment for global control to facilitate access for financing needs
- Support research alliances
Funded by America’s pork producers to protect and enhance the health of the US swine herd, the Swine Health Information Center focuses its efforts on prevention, preparedness, and response. As a conduit of information and research, SHIC encourages sharing of its publications and research for the benefit of swine health. Forward, reprint, and quote SHIC material freely. For more information, visit http://www.swinehealth.org or contact Dr. Paul Sundberg at psundberg@swinehealth.org.