First research project using rinderpest virus
This is a study undertaken in 2013 by the
Pirbright Institute (United Kingdom), with OIE
funding, aimed at determining whether peste
des petits ruminants (PPR) vaccines can also
protect cattle against rinderpest. If this proves
to be the case, PPR vaccines could be stocked
within the framework of contingency plans
to deal with any potential outbreaks of
rinderpest and PPR, thereby obviating the need
to establish vaccine banks containing rinderpest
virus and at the same time minimising
the risk of any accidental or deliberate release
of the virus, though without abandoning
the rinderpest preparedness strategy.
Rinderpest Joint Advisory Committee
(OIE Headquarters, Paris, September 2013)
Rinderpest post-eradication phase
In 2011, the World Assemblies of the OIE and FAO declared that rinderpest had been eradicated from the surface of the earth.
They undertook to take the necessary steps to ensure that the remaining stocks of rinderpest virus were either destroyed or securely
stored in a minimum number of high-level containment facilities. In 2012, the OIE and FAO set up a Joint Advisory Committee to
advise on technical issues relating to rinderpest post-eradication activities and a joint secretariat to support the Committee. One of
the tasks of the Committee is to approve research projects involving the manipulation of rinderpest virus-containing material and
to approve a minimal number of high-level containment facilities to store this type of material in the various regions of the world.
The Committee met twice in 2013. In February 2013, the Committee approved the first research project involving the use
of rinderpest virus since the establishment of the post-eradication phase.
The Committee is also responsible for examining applications from institutions seeking to become OIE–FAO approved as safe to
store rinderpest virus-containing material. These approved high-level containment institutions, the number of which must be kept to
a minimum, will be tasked with storing material of this type in the different regions of the world.
The OIE–FAO Network of expertise
on animal influenza (OFFLU)
The secretariat for OFFLU has, ever since the
creation of the network, been provided by the OIE,
which coordinates the network. In 2013, three
meetings of the Steering Committee and Executive
Committee and two Technical Committee meetings
were held. These served to define the Network’s
strategic directions and coordinate its various
technical activities. The network continues
to expand in terms of both scope of action and size
and includes experts from networks specialising
in equine influenza, swine influenza and avian
influenza.
FAO, WHO and the OIE are committed, as stated in their tripartite agreement,
to working closely together on biological risks at the animal–ecosystem
interface.
Relations between WHO and OFFLU are an example of this: the official
agreement under which OFFLU undertakes to collaborate in the WHO Vaccine
Strain Selection Process, by supplying timely information on relevant strains
of animal origin, has now been renewed for a five-year period, until 2018.
Chair of the Steering Committee
Dr Peter Daniels (from the
Australian Animal Health
Laboratory), succeeded Professor
Steve Edwards
at the end of 2013.
Chair of the Executive Committee
Dr David Swayne (OIE expert at
the Southeast Poultry Research
Laboratory) succeeded Dr Peter
Daniels.
One of the main objectives of the Network is to share animal influenza
data with WHO in order to assist with the timely selection of the most
appropriate viruses for human vaccines, which may include animal viruses
presenting a potential pandemic threat.
New management team
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