Aquatic Animal Health Code
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Aquatic Animal Health Code |
Infection with ranavirus
For the purposes of the Aquatic Code, infection with ranavirus means infection with any member virus species of the genus Ranavirus in the family Iridoviridae with the exception of epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus and European catfish virus.
Information on methods for diagnosis are provided in the Aquatic Manual.
Scope
The recommendations in this chapter apply to: all species of Anura (frogs and toads) and Caudata (salamanders and newts). The recommendations also apply to any other susceptible species referred to in the Aquatic Manual when traded internationally.
Importation or transit of aquatic animals and aquatic animal products for any purpose from a country, zone or compartment not declared free from infection with ranavirus
Competent Authorities should not require any conditions related to infection with ranavirus, regardless of the infection with ranavirus status of the exporting country, zone or compartment, when authorising the importation or transit of the following aquatic animal products from the species referred to in Article 8.2.2. which are intended for any purpose and which comply with Article 5.4.1.:
heat sterilised hermetically sealed amphibian products (i.e. a heat treatment at 121°C for at least 3.6 minutes or any time/temperature equivalent);
cooked amphibian products that have been subjected to heat treatment at 65°C for at least 30 minutes (or any time/temperature equivalent which has been demonstrated to inactivate all virus species of the genus Ranavirus in the family Iridoviridae [with the exception of epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus and European catfish virus]);
pasteurised amphibian products that have been subjected to heat treatment at 90°C for at least ten minutes (or any time/temperature equivalent which has been demonstrated to inactivate all virus species of the genus Ranavirus in the family Iridoviridae [with the exception of epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus and European catfish virus]);
mechanically dried amphibian products (i.e. a heat treatment at 100°C for at least 30 minutes or any time/temperature equivalent which has been demonstrated to inactivate all virus species of the genus Ranavirus in the family Iridoviridae [with the exception of epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus and European catfish virus]).
When authorising the importation or transit of aquatic animals and aquatic animal products of a species referred to in Article 8.2.2., other than those referred to in point 1 of Article 8.2.3., Competent Authorities should require the conditions prescribed in Articles 8.2.7. to 8.2.12. relevant to the infection with ranavirus status of the exporting country, zone or compartment.
When considering the importation or transit of aquatic animals and aquatic animal products of a species not covered in Article 8.2.2. but which could reasonably be expected to pose a risk of spread of infection with ranavirus, the Competent Authority should conduct a risk analysis in accordance with the recommendations in Chapter 2.1. The Competent Authority of the exporting country should be informed of the outcome of this assessment.
Country free from infection with ranavirus
If a country shares a zone with one or more other countries, it can only make a self-declaration of freedom from infection with ranavirus if all the areas covered by the zone are declared free from infection with ranavirus (see Article 8.2.5.).
As described in Article 1.4.6., a country may make a self-declaration of freedom from infection with ranavirus if:
none of the susceptible species referred to in Article 8.2.2. are present and basic biosecurity conditions have been continuously met for at least the last two years;
OR
any of the susceptible species referred to in Article 8.2.2. are present and the following conditions have been met:
there has been no observed occurrence of the disease for at least the last ten years despite conditions that are conducive to its clinical expression (as described in the corresponding chapter of the Aquatic Manual); and
basic biosecurity conditions have been continuously met for at least the last ten years;
OR
the disease status prior to targeted surveillance is unknown but the following conditions have been met:
basic biosecurity conditions have been continuously met for at least the last two years; and
targeted surveillance, as described in Chapter 1.4., has been in place for at least the last two years without detection of infection with ranavirus;
OR
it previously made a self-declaration of freedom from infection with ranavirus and subsequently lost its disease free status due to the detection of infection with ranavirus but the following conditions have been met:
on detection of the disease, the affected area was declared an infected zone and a protection zone was established; and
infected populations have been destroyed or removed from the infected zone by means that minimise the risk of further spread of the disease, and the appropriate disinfection procedures (described in the Aquatic Manual) have been completed; and
previously existing basic biosecurity conditions have been reviewed and modified as necessary and have continuously been in place since eradication of the disease; and
targeted surveillance, as described in Chapter 1.4., has been in place for at least the last two years without detection of infection with ranavirus.
In the meantime, part or all of the non-affected area may be declared a free zone provided that such a part meets the conditions in point 3 of Article 8.2.5.
Zone or compartment free from infection with ranavirus
If a zone or compartment extends over more than one country, it can only be declared an infection with ranavirus free zone or compartment if all the relevant Competent Authorities confirm that all relevant conditions have been met.
As described in Article 1.4.6., a zone or compartment within the territory of one or more countries not declared free from infection with ranavirus may be declared free by the Competent Authority(ies) of the country(ies) concerned if:
none of the susceptible species referred to in Article 8.2.2. are present in the zone or compartment and basic biosecurity conditions have been continuously met for at least the last two years;
OR
any of the susceptible species referred to in Article 8.2.2. are present in the zone or compartment and the following conditions have been met:
there has not been any observed occurrence of the disease for at least the last ten years despite conditions that are conducive to its clinical expression (as described in the corresponding chapter of the Aquatic Manual); and
basic biosecurity conditions have been continuously met for at least the last ten years;
OR
the disease status prior to targeted surveillance is unknown but the following conditions have been met:
basic biosecurity conditions have been continuously met for at least the last two years; and
targeted surveillance, as described in Chapter 1.4., has been in place, in the zone or compartment, for at least the last two years without detection of infection with ranavirus;
OR
it previously made a self-declaration of freedom for a zone from infection with ranavirus and subsequently lost its disease free status due to the detection of the infection with ranavirus in the zone but the following conditions have been met:
on detection of the disease, the affected area was declared an infected zone and a protection zone was established; and
infected populations have been destroyed or removed from the infected zone by means that minimise the risk of further spread of the disease, and the appropriate disinfection procedures (described in the Aquatic Manual) have been completed; and
previously existing basic biosecurity conditions have been reviewed and modified as necessary and have continuously been in place since eradication of the disease; and
targeted surveillance, as described in Chapter 1.4., has been in place for at least the last two years without detection of infection with ranavirus.
Maintenance of free status
A country, zone or compartment that is declared free from infection with ranavirus following the provisions of points 1 or 2 of Articles 8.2.4. or 8.2.5. (as relevant) may maintain its status as free from infection with ranavirus provided that basic biosecurity conditions are continuously maintained.
A country, zone or compartment that is declared free from infection with ranavirus following the provisions of point 3 of Articles 8.2.4. or 8.2.5. (as relevant) may discontinue targeted surveillance and maintain its status as free from infection with ranavirus provided that conditions that are conducive to clinical expression of infection with ranavirus, as described in the corresponding chapter of the Aquatic Manual, exist and basic biosecurity conditions are continuously maintained.
However, for declared free zones or compartments in infected countries and in all cases where conditions are not conducive to clinical expression of infection with ranavirus, targeted surveillance needs to be continued at a level determined by the Aquatic Animal Health Service on the basis of the likelihood of infection.
Importation of aquatic animals and aquatic animal products from a country, zone or compartment declared free from infection with ranavirus
When importing aquatic animals and aquatic animal products of species referred to in Article 8.2.2. from a country, zone or compartment declared free from infection with ranavirus, the Competent Authority of the importing country should require that the consignment be accompanied by an international aquatic animal health certificate issued by the Competent Authority of the exporting country or a certifying official approved by the importing country certifying that, on the basis of the procedures described in Articles 8.2.4. or 8.2.5. (as applicable) and 8.2.6., the place of production of the aquatic animals and aquatic animal products is a country, zone or compartment declared free from infection with ranavirus.
The certificate should be in accordance with the Model Certificate in Chapter 5.11.
This Article does not apply to commodities referred to in point 1 of Article 8.2.3.
Importation of live aquatic animals for aquaculture from a country, zone or compartment not declared free from infection with ranavirus
When importing, for aquaculture, live aquatic animals of species referred to in Article 8.2.2. from a country, zone or compartment not declared free from infection with ranavirus, the Competent Authority of the importing country should assess the risk and, if justified, apply the following risk mitigation measures:
the direct delivery to and lifelong holding of the consignment in biosecure facilities for continuous isolation from the local environment; and
the treatment of water used in transport and of all effluent and waste materials in a manner that ensures inactivation of ranavirus.
If the intention of the introduction is the establishment of a new stock, relevant aspects of the Code of Practice on the Introductions and Transfers of Marine Organisms of the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) should be considered.
For the purposes of the Aquatic Code, relevant aspects of the ICES Code (full version see: http://www.ices.dk/publications/our-publications/Pages/Miscellaneous.aspx) may be summarised to the following points:
identify stock of interest (cultured or wild) in its current location;
evaluate stock health and disease history;
take and test samples for ranavirus, pests and general health/disease status;
import of a founder (F-0) population and quarantine in a secure facility;
produce F-1 generation from the F-0 stock in quarantine;
culture F-1 stock and at critical times in its development (life cycle) sample and test for infection with ranavirus and perform general examinations for pests and general health/disease status;
if infection with ranavirus is not detected, pests are not present, and the general health/disease status of the stock is considered to meet the basic biosecurity conditions of the importing country, zone or compartment, the F-1 stock may be defined as free of infection with ranavirus or specific pathogen free (SPF) for infection with ranavirus;
release SPF F-1 stock from quarantine for aquaculture or stocking purposes in the country, zone or compartment.
With respect to point 3 e), quarantine conditions should be conducive to multiplication of the pathogen and eventually to clinical expression. If quarantine conditions are not suitable for pathogen multiplication and development, the recommended diagnostic approach might not be sensitive enough to detect low infection level.
This Article does not apply to aquatic animals referred to in point 1 of Article 8.2.3.
Importation of aquatic animals and aquatic animal products for processing for human consumption from a country, zone or compartment not declared free from infection with ranavirus
When importing, for processing for human consumption, aquatic animals or aquatic animal products of species referred to in Article 8.2.2. from a country, zone or compartment not declared free from infection with ranavirus, the Competent Authority of the importing country should assess the risk and, if justified, require that:
the consignment is delivered directly to and held in quarantine or containment facilities until processing into one of the products referred to in point 1 of Article 8.2.3., or products described in point 1 of Article 8.2.12., or other products authorised by the Competent Authority; and
water used in transport and all effluent and waste materials from the processing are treated in a manner that ensures inactivation of ranavirus or is disposed in a manner that prevents contact of waste with susceptible species.
For these commodities Member Countries may wish to consider introducing internal measures to address the risks associated with the commodity being used for any purpose other than for human consumption.
Importation of live aquatic animals intended for use in animal feed, or for agricultural, industrial or pharmaceutical use, from a country, zone or compartment not declared free from infection with ranavirus
When importing, for use in animal feed or for agricultural, industrial or pharmaceutical use, live aquatic animals of the species referred to in Article 8.2.2. from a country, zone or compartment not declared free from infection with ranavirus, the Competent Authority of the importing country should require that:
the consignment be delivered directly to, and held in, quarantine facilities for slaughter and processing into products authorised by the Competent Authority; and
water and equipment used in transport and all effluent and waste materials from the processing facility be treated in a manner that inactivates ranavirus.
This Article does not apply to commodities referred to in point 1 of Article 8.2.3.
Importation of live aquatic animals intended for use in laboratories or zoos, from a country, zone or compartment not declared free from infection with ranavirus
When importing, for use in laboratories or zoos, live aquatic animals of species referred to in Article 8.2.2. from a country, zone or compartment not declared free from infection with ranavirus, the Competent Authority of the importing country should ensure:
the direct delivery to and lifelong holding of the consignment in quarantine facilities authorised by the Competent Authority; and
the treatment of water and equipment used in transport and of all effluent and waste materials in a manner that inactivates ranavirus; and
the disposal of carcasses in accordance with Chapter 4.7.
Importation of aquatic animals and aquatic animal products for retail trade for human consumption from a country, zone or compartment not declared free from infection with ranavirus
Competent Authorities should not require any conditions related to infection with ranavirus, regardless of the infection with ranavirus status of the exporting country, zone or compartment, when authorising the importation or transit of the following commodities which have been prepared and packaged for retail trade and which comply with Article 5.4.2.:
no commodities listed.
When importing aquatic animals or aquatic animal products, other than those referred to in point 1 above, of species referred to in Article 8.2.2. from a country, zone or compartment not declared free from infection with ranavirus, the Competent Authority of the importing country should assess the risk and apply appropriate risk mitigation measures.
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2015 ©OIE - Aquatic Animal Health Code |
