Application for official recognition by the OIE of free status  for classical swine fever

Article 1.9.1.

Country or zone free from infection with classical swine fever virus

The following information should be provided by OIE Member Countries to support applications for official recognition of status as a country or zone free from infection with classical swine fever (CSF) virus in accordance with Chapter 15.2. of the Terrestrial Code.

The dossier provided to the OIE should address concisely all the following topics under the headings provided to describe the actual situation in the country and the procedures currently applied, explaining how these comply with the Terrestrial Code.

The terminology defined in the OIE Terrestrial Code and Terrestrial Manual should be referred to and used in compiling the dossier.

National legislation, regulations and Veterinary Authority directives may be referred to and annexed as appropriate in one of the OIE official languages. Weblinks to supporting documents in one of the official languages of the OIE may also be provided, where they exist.

All annexes should be provided in one of the OIE official languages.

The Delegate of the Member Country applying for recognition of CSF freedom for a country or zone must demonstrate compliance with the Terrestrial Code. That is, the Delegate should submit documentary evidence that the provisions of Articles 15.2.2. and 15.2.3. have been properly implemented and supervised.

In addition, the Delegate of the Member Country must submit a declaration indicating that:

1. there has been no outbreak of CSF or evidence of CSFV infection in domestic and captive wild pigs in the country or zone during the past 12 months;

2. no vaccination against CSF has been carried out in domestic and captive wild pigs in the country or zone during the past 12 months; or, if vaccination is carried out, vaccinated and infected pigs can be distinguished by a means validated according to Chapter 2.8.3. of the Terrestrial Manual;

3. imported pigs and pig commodities comply with the relevant requirements in Chapter 15.2.

In addition, the Delegate of the Member Country applying for recognition of historical freedom must also submit documentary evidence that the provisions of point 1 a) of Article 1.4.6. of the Terrestrial Code have been properly implemented and supervised.

1. Introduction
   

   1. Geographical features (rivers, mountain ranges, etc.). Provide a general description of the country and the zone, and where relevant of the region, including physical, geographical and other factors that are relevant to introduction of infection and spread of CSF virus, taking into account the countries or zones sharing common borders and other epidemiologic pathways for the potential introduction of infection.

      The boundaries of the country or zone must be clearly defined, including a protection zone if applied. Provide maps identifying the features above, including a digitalised, geo-referenced map with a precise text description of the geographical boundaries of the country or zone. Specify whether the application includes any noncontiguous territories.

   2. Pig industry. Describe the composition of the domestic and captive wild pig industry in the country and the zone. In particular, describe:

      1. the types of production systems in the country and the zone;

      2. the number of herds;

      3. their geographical distribution;

      4. herd density;

      5. the degree of integration and role of producer organisations in the different production systems;

      6. any recent significant changes observed in the production (attach relevant documents if available).

      Provide tables and maps.

   3. Wildlife demographics. What captive wild, wild or feral pigs are present in the country and the zone? Provide estimates of population sizes and geographic distribution. What are the measures in place to prevent contact between domestic and captive wild pigs, and wild and feral pig populations?

   4. Slaughterhouses/abattoirs, markets and events associated with the congregation of susceptible livestock (e.g. fairs, shows, competitions). Where are the major pig marketing or collection centres? What are the patterns of pig movement for marketing within the country or zone, and between zones of the same or different status? How are the pigs sourced, transported and handled during these transactions? What proportions of slaughtered pigs are subjected to meat inspection in different production systems? Provide maps as appropriate.

2. Veterinary system

   1. Legislation. Provide a table (and when available a weblink) listing all relevant veterinary legislation, regulations and Veterinary Authority directives in relation to CSF and a brief description of the relevance of each. The table should include, but not be limited to, the legislation on disease control measures and compensation systems.

   2. Veterinary Services. Describe how the Veterinary Services of the country comply with Chapters 1.1., 3.1. and 3.2. of the Terrestrial Code. Describe how the Veterinary Services supervise, control, enforce and monitor all CSF-related activities. Provide maps, figures and tables wherever possible.

   3. Provide information on any OIE PVS evaluation conducted in the country and follow-up steps within the PVS Pathway and highlight the results relevant to CSF and pigs.

   4. Provide a description of the involvement and the participation of industry, producers, farmers, including subsistence and small-scale producers, keepers, veterinary paraprofessionals including community animal health workers, and other relevant groups in CSF surveillance and control. Provide a description of the role and structure of the private veterinary sector, including number of veterinarians and their distribution, in CSF surveillance and control. Include a description of continuing education and awareness programmes on CSF at all relevant levels.

   5. Animal identification, registration, traceability and movement control. Are pigs identified (individually or at a group level)? Provide a description of the traceability system, including methods of animal identification and establishment or herd registration, applicable to all susceptible species. How are pig movements controlled in the country or zone, or between zones of the same or different status for all susceptible species? Provide evidence of the effectiveness of animal identification and movement controls and a table describing the number, origin and destination of the pigs and their products moved within the country in the past 24 months.

      Describe the risk management strategy for uncontrolled movements of pigs.

      Describe the actions available under national legislation. Provide information on illegal movements detected in the past 24 months and the action taken.

3. CSF eradication

   1. History. If infection has never occurred in the country, or has not occurred within the past 25 years, state explicitly whether or not the country or zone is applying for recognition of historical freedom according to point 1 a) of Article 1.4.6. of the Terrestrial Code.
      

      If infection has occurred in the country or zone within the past 25 years, provide a description of the CSF history in the country and zone, with emphasis on recent years. If applicable, provide tables and maps showing the date of first detection, the sources and routes of introduction of infection, the temporal and spatial distribution (number and location of outbreaks per year), the pigs involved, and the date of last case or eradication in the country or zone.

   2. Strategy. Describe how CSF was controlled and eradicated in the country or zone (e.g. stamping-out policy, movement control, zoning). Provide the time frame for eradication. Describe and justify the corrective actions that have been implemented to prevent future outbreaks of CSF in response to any past incursions of CSF virus.

   3. Vaccines and vaccination. Briefly answer the following:

      1. Is there any legislation that prohibits vaccination? If so:

         • Provide the date when vaccination was formally prohibited;

         • Provide information on cases of detection of illegal vaccination during the reporting period and actions taken in response to the detection.

      2. Was vaccination ever used in the country? If so:

         • Provide the date when the last vaccination was carried out;

         • What type of vaccine was used? If DIVA vaccine has been used, describe the type of differential tests and results;

         • Which pigs were vaccinated?

         • How were vaccinated pigs identified?

         • What was the fate of those pigs?

      3. In addition, if vaccination was applied during the past 24 months, provide a description and justification of the vaccination strategy and programme, including the following:

         • the vaccine serotypes;

         • the pigs vaccinated;

         • identification of vaccinated pigs;

         • the way in which the vaccination of pigs was certified or reported and the records maintained;

         • evidence that the vaccine used complies with Chapter 2.8.3. of the Terrestrial Manual.

   4. Provide a description of the legislation, organisation and implementation of the eradication campaign. Outline the legislation applicable to the eradication and how the campaign was organised at different levels. Indicate if detailed operational guidelines exist and give a brief summary.

4. CSF diagnosis

   Provide documentary evidence that the relevant provisions of Chapters 1.1.2., 1.1.3. and 2.8.3. of the Terrestrial Manual are applied. The following points should be addressed:

   1. Is CSF laboratory diagnosis carried out in the country? If so, provide an overview of the CSF-approved laboratories in the country. Indicate the laboratories where samples originating from the zone are diagnosed. Address the following points:

      1. How the work is shared between different laboratories, logistics for shipment of samples, the follow-up procedures and the time frame for reporting results;

      2. Details of test capability and the types of tests undertaken and their performance for their applied use (specificity and sensitivity per type of test). Provide details of the number of CSF tests performed in the past 24 months in national laboratories and in laboratories in other countries, if relevant;

      3. Procedures for quality assurance and for the official accreditation of laboratories. Give details of formal internal quality management systems, e.g. Good Laboratory Practice, ISO, etc. that exist in, or are planned for, the laboratory system;

      4. Provide details of performance in inter-laboratory validation tests (ring trials), including the most recent results and, if applicable, the corrective measures applied;

      5. Provide details of the handling of live pathogenic agent, including a description of the biosecurity and biosafety measures applied;

      6. Provide a table identifying the tests carried out by each of the laboratories where they are performed, the quality accreditation and biosecurity standards followed and the proficiency tests carried out.

   2. If CSF laboratory diagnosis is not carried out in the country, provide the names of the laboratories in other countries providing the service as well as the arrangements in place, including logistics for shipment of samples and the time frame for reporting results.

5. CSF surveillance

   Provide documentary evidence that surveillance for CSF in the country or zone complies with Articles 15.2.26. to 15.2.32. of the Terrestrial Code, and Chapter 2.8.3. of the Terrestrial Manual. The following information should be included:

   1. What are the criteria for raising a suspicion of CSF? What is the procedure to notify (by whom and to whom) and what incentives are there for reporting and what penalties are involved for failure to report?

   2. Describe how clinical surveillance is conducted, including which sectors of the pig production system are included in clinical surveillance, such as establishments, markets, fairs, slaughterhouses/abattoirs, check points, etc.

      Provide a summary table indicating, for the past 24 months, the number of suspected cases, the number of samples tested for CSF, type of sample, testing methods and results (including differential diagnosis). Provide an indication of the timelines of the response including completion of testing to confirm or exclude CSF. Provide details of follow-up actions taken on all suspicious and positive results.

   3. Serological or virological surveillance. Are serological or virological surveys conducted? If so, provide detailed information on the target population, design prevalence, confidence level, sample size, stratification, sampling methods and diagnostic tests used in accordance with Articles 15.2.26. to 15.2.32. of the Terrestrial Code. How frequently are they conducted? Are wild and feral pigs included in surveillance? If not, explain the rationale.

      For both serological and virological surveillance provide a summary table indicating, for the past 24 months, the number of samples tested for CSF, type of sample, testing methods and results (including differential diagnosis). Include in the table the number of false-positive results obtained on screening tests. Provide details of follow-up actions taken on all suspicious and positive results and on how these findings are interpreted and acted upon. Provide criteria for selection of populations for targeted surveillance and numbers of pigs examined and samples tested in diagnostic laboratories. Provide details of the methods selected and applied for monitoring the performance of the surveillance programme including indicators.

   4. Provide information on risks in different husbandry systems, and provide evidence that targeted studies are implemented to address gaps (e.g. targeted serological surveys, active surveillance, participatory epidemiology studies, risk assessments, etc.). Provide evidence of how knowledge acquired through these activities assisted in more effective implementation of control measures.

   5. Provide details of the oversight of surveillance programmes by the Veterinary Services including training programmes for personnel involved in clinical, serological and virological surveillance, and the approaches used to increase community involvement in CSF surveillance programmes.

6. CSF prevention

   Describe the procedures in place to prevent the introduction of CSF into the country, including details of:

   1. Coordination with other countries. Describe any relevant factors in neighbouring countries or zones that should be taken into account (e.g. size, distance from the border to affected herds or animals). Describe coordination, collaboration and information-sharing activities with other countries and zones in the same region or ecosystem.

      If the CSF free zone is established in a CSF infected country or borders an infected country or zone, describe the animal health measures implemented to effectively prevent the introduction of the pathogenic agent, taking into consideration existing physical or geographical barriers.

      Are protection zones in place? If so, indicate whether or not the protection zones are included in the proposed free country or zones. Provide details of the measures that are applied (e.g. vaccination, intensified surveillance, density control of pigs), and provide a geo-referenced map of the zones.

   2. Describe the measures implemented to effectively prevent the introduction of the pathogenic agent, taking into consideration physical or geographical barriers. Describe the measures implemented to prevent the spread of the pathogenic agent within the country or zone. Provide evidence that measures to reduce transmission of CSF are in place at markets, such as enhancing awareness of CSF transmission mechanisms and human behaviour that can interrupt transmission, and implementation of good biosecurity, hygiene and disinfection routines at critical points all along the production and marketing networks (typically where animals are being moved and marketed through the country or region).

   3. What measures are taken to limit access of susceptible domestic, captive wild, feral and wild pigs to waste products of animal origin? Is the feeding of swill to pigs regulated? If so, provide information on the extent of the practice, and describe controls and surveillance measures.

   4. Import control procedures

      Provide information on countries, zones or compartments from which the country authorises the import of pigs or their products into the country or zone. Describe the criteria applied to approve such countries, zones or compartments, the controls applied to entry of such pigs and products, and subsequent internal movement. Describe the import measures (e.g. quarantine) and test procedures required. Advise whether imported pigs are required to undergo a quarantine or isolation period and, if so, the duration and location of quarantine. Advise whether import permits and international veterinary certificates are required.

      Describe any other procedures used for assessing the risks posed by import of pigs or their products. Provide summary statistics on imports of pigs and their products for at least the past 24 months, including temporary import and re-entry, specifying countries, zones or compartments of origin, species and the quantity or volume and eventual destination in the country or zone. Provide information on whether or not outbreaks have been related to imports or transboundary movements of domestic animals.

      1. Provide a map showing the number and location of all ports, airports and land border crossings. Describe the management structure, staffing levels and resources of the service responsible for import controls and its accountability to the central Veterinary Services. Describe the communication systems between the central authorities and the border posts, and between border posts.

      2. Provide a description of the methods used for the safe disposal of waste from international traffic, who is responsible and provide a summary, for the past 24 months, of the quantity disposed of and the disposal locations. What are the biosecurity measures in place at waste disposal sites?

      3. Cite the regulations and describe procedures, type and frequency of checks, and management of noncompliance at the points of entry into the country or zone or their final destination, concerning the import and follow-up of the following:

         • pigs;

         • genetic material (semen, oocytes and embryos);

         • fresh meat, pig products and by-products;

         • veterinary medicinal products;

         • other materials at risk of being contaminated with CSF virus.

7. Control measures and contingency planning

   1. List any written guidelines, including contingency plans, available to the Veterinary Services for dealing with suspected or confirmed outbreaks of CSF. The contingency plan should be attached as an annex in one of the OIE official languages. If not available, provide a brief summary of what is covered. Provide information on any simulation exercise for CSF that was conducted in the country in the past five years.

   2. In the event of a suspected or confirmed CSF outbreak:

      1. Are quarantine measures imposed on establishments with suspected cases, pending final diagnosis? What other procedures are followed with respect to suspected cases (e.g. standstills)?

      2. Indicate the sampling, dispatch and testing procedures that would be used to identify and confirm presence of the pathogenic agent;

      3. Describe the actions that would be taken to control the disease situation in and around the establishments where the outbreak is confirmed;

      4. Provide a detailed description of the control or eradication procedures (e.g. forward and backward tracing, movement control, disinfection of establishments, vehicles and equipment, including verification methods, policies on emergency vaccination, stamping-out policy, partial slaughter, methods of disposal of carcasses and other contaminated products or materials, decontamination, campaigns to promote awareness of farmers) that would be taken. In the case of emergency vaccination, indicate the source and type of vaccine and provide details of any vaccine supply scheme and stocks;

      5. Describe the criteria and procedures that would be used to confirm that an outbreak has been successfully controlled or eradicated, including restocking strategies, use of sentinel animals, serological surveillance programmes, etc.;

      6. Give details of any compensation that would be made available to owners, farmers, etc. when pigs are slaughtered for disease control or eradication purposes and the prescribed timetable for payments;

      7. Describe how control efforts, including vaccination and biosecurity, would target critical risk control points.

   3. If DIVA vaccine is used as part of risk mitigation, provide details of the vaccine and the differential tests.

8. Recovery of free satus

   Member Countries applying for recognition of recovery of free status for a country or zone should comply with Article 15.2.6. of the Terrestrial Code and provide detailed information as specified in Sections 3 a), 3 b), 3 c), 5 b) and 7 of this questionnaire. Information in relation to other sections need only be supplied if relevant.

nb: first adopted in 2009; most recent update adopted in 2018.