Protection of domestic animals from infectious diseases in an economic community without control at the interior borders--an orientation

In relation to the plans for introducing the free inner market in the Member States of the EEC the principles for the future veterinary control of domestic animals and animal products are described. The traditional frontier control will be replaced by official primary control at the place of production (herd of origin, slaughter house, dairy etc.). The technical conditions are described: Effective disease surveillance and notification, eradication and control schemes for contagious diseases, control of animals in relation to trade. Decentralized veterinary control stations have the best possibility to carry out these functions. They should be staffed and equipped with special regard to the structure of the animal population and the production systems in the area concerned. The EEC-Commission has the task to coordinate and standardize this work with the national veterinary services. It is essential that this work functions identically everywhere in the Community. The herd owner should introduce common measures for protecting his animals against infectious diseases. This could be done by veterinary advisers within the frame of voluntary animal health schemes.     

Defining output-based standards to achieve and maintain tuberculosis freedom in farmed deer, with reference to member states of the European Union

Within the European Union (EU), detailed legislation has been developed for cattle, but not deer, to minimise disease risks associated with trade in animals and animal products. This legislation is expressed as input-based standards, providing a detailed outline of the activity required (for example, testing of animals and application of defined control measures), on the expectation that an adequate output (for example, confidence in freedom) will be achieved. Input-based standards are at odds with the increasing shift towards output-based standards, particularly in OIE rules governing international trade. In this paper, we define output-based standards to achieve and maintain freedom from tuberculosis (TB) in farmed deer, with reference to EU member states. After considering the probability of freedom achieved for cattle under existing EU legislation, we defined a ‘free farmed deer holding’ as one with a probability of freedom from infection of at least 99%. We then developed an epidemiological model of TB surveillance systems for deer holdings, incorporating different surveillance strategies, including combinations of diagnostic tests, and a variety of different scenarios relating to the potential for introduction of infection. A range of surveillance strategies were identified to achieve and maintain a free farmed deer holding, and worked examples are presented. The surveillance system sensitivity for varying combinations of screening and confirmatory tests in live animals, animals at slaughter and on-farm deaths is also presented. Using a single test at a single point in time, none of the TB tests routinely used in farmed deer is able to achieve an acceptable probability of TB freedom. If repeat testing were undertaken, an acceptable probability of TB freedom could be achieved, with differing combinations of the surveillance system sensitivity, frequency of testing and risk of introduction. The probability of introduction of infection through the importation of infected deer was influenced by the use of a pre-movement test (assumed 90% test sensitivity and negative test results), the TB prevalence in the source herd and the number of animals imported. A surveillance system sensitivity of at least 81% was achieved with different combinations of annual live animal surveillance and surveillance of animals at slaughter or on-farm deaths. This methodology has broad applicability and could also be extended to other diseases in both deer and other species with relevance to trade in animals and animal products.     

入境肉种鸡检出衣原体阳性及其处理

目的随着加入世界贸易组织,我国海关检疫压力增大,为了维护国家主权和国际声誉,加强出入境检验检疫势在必行。衣原体病是一种重要的人畜共患病,也给养禽业带来巨大的经济损失,必须给予足够的重视,鹦鹉热衣原体对多种动物宿主有广泛的寄生性引起不同动物的多症候群疾病,是世界动物卫生组织动物名录疾病。方法对入境的一批肉种鸡进行抽样检验,按照中华人民共和国出入境检验检疫行业标准用间接血凝检测鹦鹉热衣原体病,做出试验报告。结果经检测出现阳性,肉鸡携带有衣原体病毒。结论根据中华人民共和国进出境动植物检疫法第二章进境检疫第十六条检出二类传染病、寄生虫病的动物,退回或者扑杀,同群其他动物在隔离场或者其他指定地点隔离观察。     

Epidemiological examples of infectious disease spread

The globalisation of trade with animals and animal products and increase of travel transports are very important issues with respect to prevent and control animal diseases or epizootics respectively. The disease control concepts as a complex manner should be established on scientific basis and must be permanently evaluated and updated. Outbreak investigations in order to clarify the source of infection and/or the spread of animal diseases including zoonoses are important fields of activities of veterinary epidemiologists. The application of modern epidemiological methods is the precondition of a successful disease control. On selected examples of animal diseases, the use of these methods is demonstrated. It is urgently necessary to intensify the epidemiological work in applied research and practice.     

The quality assurance of proficiency testing programs for animal disease diagnostic laboratories.

Laboratory data credibility has 3 major components: 1) valid methods, 2) proficiency testing (PT) to verify that the analyst can conduct the method and to compare results of other laboratories using the same method, and 3) third-party accreditation to verify that the laboratory is competent to conduct testing and that the method validation has been done within the environment and requirements of an effective quality-management system. Participation in external PT programs by a laboratory is strongly recommended in International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission International Standard 17025. Most laboratory accreditation bodies using this standard require that laboratories participate in such programs to be accredited. Internal PT is also recommended for each analyst. Benchmarking, or comparison between laboratories using PT or reference materials, is also recommended as part of the validation and evaluation of test methods. These requirements emphasize the need for proficiency test providers to demonstrate their competence. Requirements for competence are documented in national and international standards and guidelines, and accreditation is available for providers. This article discusses the activities and the components that are necessary and recommended for PT projects and programs for animal disease diagnostic testing. These are based on the requirements of the national and international standards, which address this subject, and on the experience of the author. The accreditation of external PT programs is also discussed. Organizations that accredit PT providers or that provide PT programs are listed. Existing references, guidelines, and standards that are relevant to PT in veterinary diagnostic laboratories are discussed.     

Suggested guidelines for immunohistochemical techniques in veterinary diagnostic laboratories

This document is the consensus of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) Subcommittee on Standardization of Immunohistochemistry on a set of guidelines for immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing in veterinary laboratories. Immunohistochemistry is a powerful ancillary methodology frequently used in many veterinary laboratories for both diagnostic and research purposes. However, neither standardization nor validation of IHC tests has been completely achieved in veterinary medicine. This document addresses both issues. Topics covered include antibody selection, fixation, antigen retrieval, antibody incubation, antibody dilutions, tissue and reagent controls, buffers, and detection systems. The validation of an IHC test is addressed for both infectious diseases and neoplastic processes. In addition, storage and handling of IHC reagents, interpretation, quality control and assurance, and troubleshooting are also discussed. Proper standardization and validation of IHC will improve the quality of diagnostics in veterinary laboratories.     

胶体金免疫层析技术在动物病毒性传染病诊断中的应用

自胶体金标记技术问世以来,已在妊娠检测、传染病、毒品、食品安全和兽医等领域得到了广泛的应用.就兽医领域而言,已应用在动物寄生虫、细菌、病毒以及兽药残留检测等方面.论文总结了胶体金免疫层析技术的基本原理和常见的检测抗原、抗体的方法,对胶体金免疫层析技术在动物病毒抗原和抗体检测中的应用进行了详细的介绍,并对该技术在动物病毒...     

The application of biotechnology to the control of foot-and-mouth disease virus.

Biotechnology, which less than 10 years ago was heralded as an alternative to epidemiology in providing the answers to the control of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), has not fulfilled its initial promise. Instead it is now complementing epidemiology by providing extremely sensitive and specific tools for identifying and characterizing strains of FMD virus in diagnostic material. Considerable advances in our understanding of the evolution of the virus in different field situations has been made possible by the development and application of polymerase chain reaction and nucleotide sequencing techniques. The individual genes of FMD virus can now be cloned into a number of vectors and separately expressed and studied in isolation from the other viral proteins. Biotechnology has not provided a safe and effective vaccine to replace the conventional tissue culture derived vaccine that would have made FMD a disease of the past. FMD remains the most economically significant animal disease having a major influence on the international trade of animals and their products. The world distribution of FMD has remained almost unchanged over the last 20 years and a balance has been maintained between improved surveillance and diagnostic technology and the ever increasing legal and illegal international movement of animals and reduction in veterinary resources. Research continues on peptide, recombinant and vector expressed virus protein vaccines which could at any time yield a breakthrough, not only for FMD control but, using similar technology, for control of other viral diseases, human and animal. Until this occurs, control and eradication of FMD still relies on classical epidemiological techniques, making use of new biotechnological methods.     

Global veterinary leadership.

The public needs no reminder that deadly infectious diseases such as FMD could emerge in any country at any moment, or that national food security could be compromised by Salmonella or Listeria infections. Protections against these risks include the knowledge that appropriate and equivalent veterinary education will enable detection and characterization of emerging disease agents, as well as an appropriate response, wherever they occur. Global veterinary leadership is needed to reduce the global threat of infectious diseases of major food animal and public health importance. We believe that the co-curriculum is an excellent way to prepare and train veterinarians and future leaders who understand and can deal with global issues. The key to the success of the program is the veterinarian's understanding that there is a cultural basis to the practice of veterinary medicine in any country. The result will be a cadre of veterinarians, faculty, and other professionals who are better able (language and culture) to understand the effects of change brought about by free trade and the importance of interdisciplinary and institutional relationships to deal effectively with national and regional issues of food safety and security. New global veterinary leadership programs will build on interests, experience, ideas, and ambitions. A college that wishes to take advantage of this diversity must offer opportunities that interest veterinarians throughout their careers and that preferably connect academic study with intensive experiential training in another country. At its best, the global veterinary leadership program would include a partnership between veterinarians and several international learning centers, a responsiveness to the identified international outreach needs of the profession, and attention to critical thinking and reflection. The global veterinary leadership program we have described is intended to be a set of ideas meant to promote collaboration, coalitions, and discussion among veterinarians and veterinary educators who may be intrigued by the concept. The impact of the program can be summarized as follows: Outreach Programs: The global veterinary leadership program will establish new partnerships between veterinarians and veterinary college faculty as they supervise the international internships and see a relationship between their goals and the value of food safety to this country. Strategic Opportunity: The program will build on the critical role that US veterinarians and veterinary colleges already play in strengthening the safety of free trade in this hemisphere. Diversity in an Age of Specialization: The program will combine a global orientation, language ability, and access to comprehensive, research- and economic-related work/study opportunities to expose veterinarians to the expanding world market for veterinary expertise. New Linkages Through Corporate Partners: Through the success and high visibility of current research and education programs, most veterinary colleges are well positioned to engage industry, government, and university leaders in ways to use the proposed program to increase the flow of new ideas and talent into the world food enterprise. International Funding: A new partnership among veterinarians, industry, government, and university leaders can coordinate strong multilateral requests for funding from national and international sources. An Interdisciplinary Strategy that Benefits Veterinary Medicine: The program will combine the diverse veterinary research and education system with our strong national and international network of collaborators to provide globally competent veterinarians who will be needed for the corporate and public opportunities of the future.     

中国与欧盟和美国禽肉、禽蛋中兽药残留限量标准的对比研究

【目的】 为推进中国食品安全监控体系建设及完善相关的法规标准提供参考,保障食品安全的同时提升中国禽肉、禽蛋产品在国际市场的竞争力,打破国际技术性贸易壁垒,促进国际禽产品贸易繁荣发展。【方法】 首先对比分析中国新发布的食品安全国家标准GB 31650－2019《食品安全国家标准食品中兽药最大残留限量》及已废除的农业部公告第235号《动物性食品中兽药最高残留限量》中有关禽肉、禽蛋的兽药残留种类和兽药最大残留限量（MRLs）标准;然后对中国新国家标准与欧盟和美国在禽肉、禽蛋的兽药残留种类区别和MRLs标准的严宽程度等几项内容进行了对比分析。【结果】 中国新国家标准对旧标准进行了一定程度上的补充与修改,大部分有关禽肉、禽蛋的MRLs标准与欧盟和美国的标准相同甚至更加严格,这标志着中国兽药残留标准体系进入了新阶段,但部分兽药的MRLs标准仍与欧盟和美国的标准存在一定差异,其中共有包括双氯西林在内的33种兽药的MRLs标准缺失或宽于欧盟和美国。【结论】 未来中国仍需结合禽肉、禽蛋的生产情况、兽药实际使用情况及人民消费升级的需求,进一步完善禽肉、禽蛋产品中兽药残留限量的相关标准,使其向国际标准靠拢,提高中国禽肉、禽蛋产品在国际市场上的竞争力,并对进出口产品中兽药的残留情况进行严格监控,防止其影响消费者的健康安全和禽肉、禽蛋的国际贸易发展。     

Emerging diseases: a global and biological perspective

The 'Livestock Revolution' and globalization with enormous increases in free trade of animals and food products are not a choice but a reality (Thiermann, J. Vet. Med. Educ., 28, 2001, 56). Conditions of modern life, some of them related to or being the result of globalization, ensure that factors responsible for disease emergence are more prevalent than ever. Categorization of the factors is somewhat arbitrary but are representative of the underlying processes that cause emergence. Major responsible factors include ecological changes, such as changes due to agriculture or economic development or to anomalies in climates, human demographical changes and behaviour, travel and commerce, technology and industry, microbial adaptation and change, and the breakdown of public health measures (Morse, Emerg. Infect. Dis., 1, 1995, 7). Furtheron, concerning pathogens, their most striking feature emerging and re-emerging is their diversity, ranging from viruses and prions, over bacteria and rickettsia, fungi, protozoa to helminths. As presently the epidemiological perspective does not permit reliable prediction and prevention of most damaging new pathogens, and as the evolutionary perspective only provides rough theoretical estimates for selective processes in pathogen populations, surveillance and monitoring remain the most important methods to recognize early that 'something has happened'. In light of the complexity and diversity of likely new emerging diseases, such surveillance may be more broadly targeted and aimed more realistically at early recognition of disease syndromes rather than at identifying microbial diseases. The complex and rapid-paced development of international trade, coupled with increasing societal demands for not only abundant and inexpensive food as well as for protection from diseases originating from animals, demands immediate attention from the veterinary community. The inter-relationship at the minimum between animal production, animal diseases and human diseases demands that we consider our concepts, methods and structures. There exists a huge growth area for the veterinary profession; substantial need exists for trained individuals who understand the science of foreign diseases, who can facilitate emergency management operations against diseases (Brown, J. Vet. Med. Educ., 30, 2003, 112) and who can contribute to adjust and strategically develop animal production systems further.     

An integrated web system to support veterinary activities in Italy for the management of information in epidemic emergencies

The management of public health emergencies is improved by quick, exhaustive and standardized flow of data on disease outbreaks, by using specific tools for data collection, registration and analysis. In this context, the National Information System for the Notification of Outbreaks of Animal Diseases (SIMAN) has been developed in Italy to collect and share data on the notifications of outbreaks of animal diseases. SIMAN is connected through web services to the national database of animals and holdings (BDN) and has been integrated with tools for the management of epidemic emergencies. The website has been updated with a section dedicated to the contingency planning in case of epidemic emergency. EpiTrace is one such useful tool also integrated in the BDN and based on the Social Network Analysis (SNA) and on network epidemiological models. This tool gives the possibility of assessing the risk associated to holdings and animals on the basis of their trade, in order to support the veterinary services in tracing back and forward the animals in case of outbreaks of infectious diseases.     

Perspectives on veterinary infectious disease control in the European Economic Community

The internal market of EC from 1993 is a provocation for the veterinary services of the member states to prevent dangers by animal infectious diseases and zoonoses in a big territory without borders. The systems for the control of animal infectious diseases, transport and trade have to be adapted and the veterinary services, especially on the local basis, will have more responsibility, they will be in action more as in the past and more intensive too. Primary aim is to reach a high uniform animal health level in the whole community. This requires more burden, strong and consequent measures as till now in the concerned region or member state. The control of infectious diseases in EC will stay on three big column --uniform measures for protection against animal infectious diseases, --common system for the control within the EC, --common control system on outside borders of EC for import from third countries. The already accepted and applied principle of regionalization will get essential importance. EC will participate in financing the control of animal infectious diseases particularly of very dangerous diseases, but also in certain control- and surveillance-programs. The veterinary controls on the internal borders in EC up to now will be replaced by controls at the place of origin and the place of destination. Imports from third countries will be controlled on outside-borders of EC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

兽药残留监控体系的现状与展望

随着社会的发展和技术的进步,人们的生活质量也在逐步提高,食品消费也从注重数量向注重质量和安全转变。而随着经济全球化的加速,食品安全问题也超越了国界,变成了全球性的问题。提高食品质量安全水平,尤其是动物性食品质量安全水平,成为我国迫切需要解决的重大问题,已经引起全社会的高度重视。加强兽药残留监控,对于提高养殖业产品质量、保障动物源性食品健康、促进农产品国际贸易、保护人民身体健康具有重要意义。     

A brief review on the laboratory diagnosis of leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a ubiquitous zoonotic disease that may be maintained in either wild or domesticated animal species. These bacteria have been classified into serovars based on their antigenic characteristics and, more recently, into species based on genomic studies. They produce both chronic and acute infections. Chronic infections of serovars in the host species to which they have become adapted can result in long term shedding, providing a source of acute infection for other species. As clinical presentation can vary greatly, diagnosis often depends on laboratory methods. In addition to diagnostic testing, herd health monitoring and screening for international trade purposes are performed at veterinary laboratories. The test method selected varies depending on the samples available and the purpose of testing. An increasing variety of laboratory methods are being described for detection of bacteria and antibodies. In addition to classical methods such as culture, dark-field, microscopy and the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), a variety of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), competitive ELISA and other rapid serological tests have been described. This review describes the advantages and limitations of these assays together with other factors that may affect results and their interpretation, such as species variation, vaccination and antibiotic administration.     

Yersinia enterolitica infections: 2. Impact on human health

The clinical picture of yersiniosis in humans and its prevalence in the human population is described in detail. Mass production of animals, development of meat factories based on sophisticated chains of cold storage units and international trade of meat products and animals are believed to be the reasons for the increasing prevalence of yersiniosis in humans. In Germany, anti-Yersinia antibodies are found in up to 40% of the average population. The financial losses for the national economy cannot be judged. Of special interest for industrial medicine are sequelae-like reactive arthritis in exposed occupational groups such as veterinarians or butchers. However, the lack of national and international data makes the assessment of the potential of yersiniosis as a zoonosis difficult. Therefore, intensive and interdisciplinary research is needed to close the gaps described. Already proven and proposed countermeasures at the different stages of mass production of animals and reglementations for international trade of meat products and animals are introduced. The need for development not only of cheap and rapid diagnostic tools but also for countermeasures and treatment strategies is discussed.     

羊痘的研究进展

羊痘病毒能引起山羊痘、绵羊痘和牛的结节性疹块病。羊痘是以发热、全身性的皮肤损伤、痘疹和淋巴结病变为特征。羊痘病毒是所有动物痘病毒中最为重要的一种，严重影响养羊业和国际贸易的发展。本文从病原学、流行病学、诊断和预防控制等方面对羊痘做一综述。虽然此病从临床症状和宿主特异性上很容易做出诊断，但进一步的实验室确诊还是必要的，现已有多种检测方法和诊断试剂。控制该病最有效的方法还是使用疫苗对易感动物进行免疫接种。     

Policy-driven development of cost-effective, risk-based surveillance strategies

Animal health and residue surveillance verifies the good health status of the animal population, thereby supporting international free trade of animals and animal products. However, active surveillance is costly and time-consuming. The development of cost-effective tools for animal health and food hazard surveillance is therefore a priority for decision-makers in the field of veterinary public health. The assumption of this paper is that outcome-based formulation of standards, legislation leaving room for risk-based approaches and close collaboration and a mutual understanding and exchange between scientists and policy makers are essential for cost-effective surveillance. We illustrate this using the following examples: (i) a risk-based sample size calculation for surveys to substantiate freedom from diseases/infection, (ii) a cost-effective national surveillance system for Bluetongue using scenario tree modelling and (iii) a framework for risk-based residue monitoring. Surveys to substantiate freedom from infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and enzootic bovine leucosis between 2002 and 2009 saved over 6 million € by applying a risk-based sample size calculation approach, and by taking into account prior information from repeated surveys. An open, progressive policy making process stimulates research and science to develop risk-based and cost-efficient survey methodologies. Early involvement of policy makers in scientific developments facilitates implementation of new findings and full exploitation of benefits for producers and consumers.     

Dietary intake estimates as a means to the harmonization of maximum residue levels for veterinary drugs. I. Concept

The harmonization of standards and procedures for establishing tolerances or maximum residue levels (MRLs) for veterinary drug residues in edible animal products is a major goal of the international veterinary drug community. Such harmonization would contribute to easing trade barriers. This paper proposes use of the toxicologically determined acceptable daily intake (ADI) for the drug as the safety standard for reaching conclusions on the acceptability of residues in meat for human consumption. Specifically, the 'equivalence' of different MRLs for the same veterinary drug would be determined by considering whether they are likely to result in dietary residues that exceed another country's ADI for the drug. Two methods of estimating dietary intake are described, and estimates are made for the veterinary drugs albendazole and ivermectin. Based on these estimates, the US and JECFA MRLs for each drug would be considered 'equivalent' for trade purposes.