Infection with rinderpest virus

Article 8.15.1.

Preamble

The global eradication of rinderpest has been achieved and was announced in mid-2011 based on the following:

1. Evidence demonstrates that there is no significant risk that rinderpest virus (RPV) remains in susceptible domesticated or wild host populations anywhere in the world.

2. All OIE Member and non-member countries have completed the pathway defined by the OIE for recognition of national rinderpest freedom and have been officially recognised by the OIE as free from the infection.

3. All vaccinations against rinderpest have ceased throughout the world.

However, RPV containing material including live vaccines continue to be held in a number of institutions around the world and this poses a risk of virus re-introduction into susceptible animals.

As sequestration and destruction of virus stocks proceed, the risks of re-introduction of infection into animals is expected to progressively diminish. The possibility of deliberate or accidental release of virus demands continuing vigilance, especially in the case of those countries known to host an institution holding RPV containing material. This chapter takes into account the new global status and provides recommendations to prevent re-emergence of the disease and to ensure adequate surveillance and protection of livestock.

Standards for diagnostic tests and vaccines are described in the Terrestrial Manual.

Article 8.15.2.

Definitions and general provisions

For the purpose of the Terrestrial Code:

1. RPV containing material means field and laboratory strains of RPV; vaccine strains of RPV including valid and expired vaccine stocks; tissues, sera and other clinical material from animals known or suspected to be infected; diagnostic material containing or encoding live virus, recombinant morbilliviruses (segmented or non-segmented) containing unique RPV nucleic acid or amino acid sequences, and full length genomic material including virus ribonucleic acid (RNA) and cDNA copies of virus RNA. Sub-genomic fragments of morbillivirus nucleic acid that are not capable of being incorporated in a replicating morbillivirus or morbillivirus-like virus are not considered as RPV containing material;

2. ban on vaccination against rinderpest means a ban on administering any vaccine containing RPV or RPV components to any animal;

3. the incubation period for rinderpest shall be 21 days;

4. a case is defined as an animal infected with RPV whether or not showing clinical signs; and

5. for the purpose of this chapter, 'susceptible animals' means domestic, feral and wild artiodactyls.

Article 8.15.3.

Ongoing surveillance post global freedom

All countries in the world, whether or not Member Countries of the OIE, have completed all the procedures necessary to be recognised as free from rinderpest infection and annual re-confirmation of rinderpest absence is no longer required. However, countries are still required to carry out general surveillance in accordance with Chapter 1.4. to detect rinderpest should it recur and to comply with OIE reporting obligations concerning the occurrence of unusual epidemiological events in accordance with Chapter 1.1. Countries should also maintain national contingency plans for responding to events suggestive of rinderpest.

Article 8.15.4.

Recommendations for international trade in livestock and their products

When authorising import or transit of livestock and their products, Veterinary Authorities should not require any rinderpest related conditions.

Article 8.15.5.

Response to recurrence of rinderpest

1. Definition of a suspected case of rinderpest

   Rinderpest should be suspected if one or more animals of a susceptible species is found to be exhibiting clinical signs consistent with 'stomatitis-enteritis syndrome'.

   Stomatitis-enteritis syndrome is defined as fever with ocular and nasal discharges in combination with:

   1. clinical signs of erosions in the oral cavity with diarrhoea, dysentery, dehydration or death;

   or

   2. necropsy findings of haemorrhages on serosal surfaces, haemorrhages and erosions on alimentary mucosal surfaces and lymphadenopathy.

   Stomatitis-enteritis syndrome could indicate a number of diseases from which rinderpest should be differentiated by appropriate laboratory investigation.

   The detection of RPV specific antibodies in an animal of a susceptible species with or without clinical signs is considered a suspected case of rinderpest.

2. Procedures to be followed in the event of the suspicion of rinderpest

   Any direct or indirect detection of RPV in an animal or animal product shall be notified immediately.

   Upon detection of a suspected case, the national contingency plan should be implemented immediately. If the presence of rinderpest cannot be ruled out, samples should be collected in accordance with Chapter 2.1.15. of the Terrestrial Manual and dispatched to one of the appointed OIE-FAO Reference Laboratories for rinderpest for confirmation and, if applicable, for molecular characterisation of the virus to facilitate identification of its source. A full epidemiological investigation should be conducted simultaneously to provide supporting information and to assist in identifying the possible source and spread of the virus.

3. Definition of a case of rinderpest

   Rinderpest should be considered as confirmed when, based on a report from an appointed OIE-FAO Reference Laboratory for rinderpest:

   1. RPV has been isolated from an animal or a product derived from that animal and identified; or

   2. viral antigen or viral RNA specific to RPV has been identified in samples from one or more animals; or

   3. antibodies to RPV have been identified in one or more animals with either epidemiological links to a confirmed or suspected outbreak of rinderpest, or showing clinical signs consistent with recent infection with RPV.

4. Procedures to be followed after confirmation of rinderpest

   A case of rinderpest confirmed in an appointed OIE-FAO Reference Laboratory using a prescribed test shall constitute a global emergency requiring immediate, concerted action for its investigation and elimination.

   Immediately following the confirmation of the presence of RPV, viral RNA or antibody, the appointed OIE-FAO Reference Laboratory should inform the country concerned, the OIE and the FAO, allowing the initiation of the international contingency plan.

   In the event of the confirmation of rinderpest, the entire country is considered to be infected. When epidemiological investigation has indicated the extent of the infected area, infected and protection zones can be defined for the purposes of disease control. In the event of limited outbreaks, a single containment zone, which includes all cases, may be established for the purpose of minimising the impact on the country. The containment zone should be established in accordance with Chapter 4.3. and may cross international boundaries.

   Emergency vaccination is acceptable only with live-attenuated tissue culture rinderpest vaccine, produced in accordance with the Terrestrial Manual. Vaccinated animals should always be clearly identified at a herd or individual level.

5. Global rinderpest freedom is suspended and the sanitary measures for trade with the infected country or countries shall revert to those in Articles 8.12.5. to 8.12.9. of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code 2010 Edition.

Article 8.15.6.

Recovery of free status

Should there be a confirmed occurrence of rinderpest, as defined above, a country or zone shall be considered as RPV infected until shown to be free through targeted surveillance involving clinical, serological and virological testing procedure.

The time needed to recover rinderpest free status of a country or zone, or of a containment zone if one is established, depends on the methods employed to achieve the elimination of infection.

One of the following waiting periods applies:

1. three months after the last case where a stamping-out policy and serological surveillance are applied in accordance with Article 8.15.8.; or

2. three months after the slaughter of all vaccinated animals where a stamping-out policy, emergency vaccination and serological surveillance are applied in accordance with Article 8.15.8.

The recovery of rinderpest free status requires an international expert mission to verify the successful application of containment and eradication measures, as well as a review of documented evidence by the OIE.

The country or zone shall be considered free only after the submitted evidence has been accepted by the OIE.

Article 8.15.7.

Recovery of global freedom

Global rinderpest freedom shall be reinstated provided that within six months of the confirmation of an outbreak, the following conditions have been met:

1. the outbreak was recognised in a timely manner and handled in accordance with the international contingency plan;

2. reliable epidemiological information clearly demonstrated that there was minimal spread of virus;

3. robust control measures consisting of stamping out herds containing infected animals, and any vaccinated animals, combined with sanitary procedures including movement controls were rapidly implemented and were successful in eliminating the RPV;

4. the origin of the virus was established, and it did not relate to an undetected reservoir of infection;

5. a risk assessment indicates that there is negligible risk of recurrence;

6. if vaccination was applied, all vaccinated animals were slaughtered or destroyed;

7. the affected country or zone has regained free status in accordance with Article 8.15.6.

If the conditions above are not met, the global rinderpest freedom is lost and Chapter 8.12. and Article 1.6.4. of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code 2010 Edition are reinstated. Recovery of global rinderpest freedom would then require re-establishment of an internationally coordinated rinderpest eradication programme and assessments of rinderpest free country status.

Article 8.15.8.

Surveillance for recovery of rinderpest free status

A Member Country applying for reinstatement of rinderpest free status in accordance with Article 8.12.6. should provide evidence demonstrating effective surveillance in accordance with Chapter 1.4.

1. The target for surveillance should be all populations of rinderpest susceptible species within the country. In certain areas some wildlife populations, such as African buffaloes, act as sentinels for rinderpest infection.

2. Given that rinderpest is an acute infection with no known carrier state, virological surveillance should be conducted to confirm clinically suspected cases. A procedure should be established for the rapid collection and transport of samples from suspect cases to an appointed OIE-FAO Reference Laboratory for diagnosis.

3. An awareness programme should be established for all animal health professionals including veterinarians, both official and private, and livestock owners to ensure that rinderpest's clinical and epidemiological characteristics and risks of its recurrence are understood. Farmers and workers who have day-to-day contact with livestock, as well as diagnosticians, should report promptly any suspicion of rinderpest.

4. Differing clinical presentations can result from variations in levels of innate host resistance (Bosindicus breeds being more resistant than B. taurus), and variations in the virulence of the attacking strain. In the case of sub-acute (mild) cases, clinical signs are irregularly displayed and difficult to detect. Experience has shown that syndromic surveillance strategies i.e. surveillance based on a predefined set of clinical signs (e.g. searching for ’stomatitis-enteritis syndrome’) are useful to increase the sensitivity of the system.

Article 8.15.9.

Annual update on RPV containing material

Annual reports on RPV containing material should be submitted to the OIE by the end of November each year by the Veterinary Authority of a Member Country hosting an institution or institutions holding RPV containing material. A separate report, drawn up in accordance with the model below, should be produced for each institution. A final report should be submitted to the OIE for each institution when all materials have been destroyed and no new activities are foreseen for the future.

Model annual report on rinderpest virus (RPV)-containing material as of 1 November [year]

Name of institution:

Biosecurity level of the facility holding RPV containing material:

Postal address:

Title and name of contact person:

E-mail/phone/fax:

1. RPV containing material currently held as of 1 November [year]

   Type	Live viruses, including field isolates but excluding vaccine strains	Vaccine stocks including seed strains	Other potentially infectious materials
   Check [x] if yes	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
   Strain/genetic characterisation
   Quantity/doses (if applicable)
   Ownership (if other institution)

2. RPV containing material destroyed during the past 12 months

   Type	Live viruses, including field isolates but excluding vaccine strains	Vaccine stocks including seed strains	Other potentially infectious materials
   Check [x] if yes	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
   Strain/genetic characterisation
   Quantity/doses (if applicable)

3. RPV containing material transferred to another institution during the past 12 months

   Type	Live viruses, including field isolates but excluding vaccine strains	Vaccine stocks including seed strains	Other potentially infectious materials
   Check [x] if yes	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
   Transferred to
   Strain/genetic characterisation
   Quantity/doses (if applicable)

4. RPV containing material received from another institution during the past 12 months

   Type	Live viruses, including field isolates but excluding vaccine strains	Vaccine stocks including seed strains	Other potentially infectious materials
   Check [x] if yes	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
   Received from
   Strain/genetic characterisation
   Quantity/doses (if applicable)

5. Research or any other use conducted on RPV containing material during the past 12 months

   [Please specify.]