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Given the gravity of the situation with no vaccine against the disease, and following the request of its Member Countries, the OIE is launching a global initiative for the control of ASF. It will use the GF-TADs (Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases) mechanism to develop, improve and harmonise partnerships and coordination at national, regional and international levels. The objective is to control the disease, strengthen countries’ prevention and preparation efforts, and minimise the adverse effects on animal health, animal welfare and international trade.
Launched in 2004 by the OIE and FAO, GF-TADs aims to prevent, detect and control transboundary animal diseases, taking into account their regional dimensions. In Europe, regional groups of ASF experts have been in existence under the umbrella of this platform since 2014, and groups have recently been set up in Asia and the Americas.
In the upcoming months, the OIE will establish a work programme in collaboration with FAO, taking into consideration the regional initiatives that already exist.
In addition to the harmonised approach between countries, the transparency of new and evolving outbreaks is essential to a good understanding of the epidemiology of the disease and to its control and prevention. The OIE has reminded all its Member Countries of the importance of reporting the disease via the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS), as this builds a complete picture of the disease situation. Between the 26 April and 9 May 2019, 1,322 outbreaks were ongoing and 157 new notifications of ASF were sent to the OIE via this platform. (Consult the latest OIE reports on the ASF situation worldwide.)
Given the global socioeconomic repercussions of ASF, controlling the disease is a high priority for both affected countries and those free of the disease. It is for this reason that that the OIE calls on its Member Countries to ensure that they implement its standards and practices for the effective control of ASF, notably through the implementation of:
- Programmes for prevention, early detection and intervention, and compensation policies
- Biosecurity measures
- Pig traceability and movement controls
- Effective official monitoring
- Management of wild pig populations
- Slaughter of animals in accordance with animal welfare rules, and the safe disposal of contaminated animal products
- Improvement in collaboration between stakeholders and between countries
- Programmes of ongoing training and awareness raising
Because of its complex epidemiology, it isn’t possible to control ASF without a coordinated response from the different sectors involved. In addition to Veterinary Services, this includes customs and border control authorities, the pig production industry, universities, forestry management bodies, hunters’ associations, tourist organisations and animal transport organisations. Clear and transparent communication is essential if all these actors are to fully understand their roles and responsibilities in the implementation of the measures required. To this end, and to offer support to its Member Countries, the OIE launched the awareness campaign ‘ASF Kills Pigs’ at the beginning of 2019.
Meeting the complex global challenges of this disease in both affected and disease-free countries requires all actors to be vigilant and to take action. Although ASF poses no risk to human health, it is devastating for the economy of pig farms and for international trade, with repercussions for the livelihoods of farmers and for food safety. Controlling the disease at global level would therefore contribute to the achievement of some of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 1 (no poverty) and Goal 2 (zero hunger).
Tuesday may 28, 2019/ OIE.
http://www.oie.int
