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The theme, “The beginning of the next phase of progress”, was fitting for the 91st annual general session and centenary celebration of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly known as the OIE) in Paris.
Topics covered included One Health challenges affecting livestock and human health, food security, rural livelihoods and the environment.
Dr Emmanuelle Soubeyran was elected as the new director-general for 2024-2029, ushering in a new era for global animal health amid rapidly evolving global problems.
Greater cooperation will now be more important than ever.
More than 1 100 participants from 166 countries and regions attended the event. Among them were Marzanne Roets, Dr Gideon Brückner and Adrian Todd from the National Animal Health Forum.
The diseases that have a significant impact on most countries include highly contagious avian influenza, foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever and all vector-borne diseases, including zoonotic diseases.
The Scientific Commission of WOAH discussed these in depth, with the following being some of its findings.
Foot-and-mouth disease
Forty-six countries or regions reported the presence of foot-and-mouth disease in 2023 or early 2024 (as of March 8) to WOAH. As of March 8, there were 67 members, 31 of which are recognised as foot-and-mouth disease-free where vaccination is not practised, and two of which are recognised as foot-and-mouth disease-free where vaccination is practised.
Twelve members have foot-and-mouth disease-free zones: six with zones where vaccination is not practised and zones where vaccination is practised, four with only foot-and-mouth disease-free zones where vaccination is not practised, and two with only foot-and-mouth disease-free zones where vaccination is practised.
The detection of new serotypes in countries can be a cause for concern, as it requires rapid adaptation of control strategies. Vaccines need to be adapted to the circulating strains, which requires continuous monitoring.
The serotype SAT 2 spread rapidly to other areas early in 2023.
During the review period, SAT 2 was reported for more than 10 years in parts of East Africa (Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe), West Africa (Benin) and Southern Africa (Botswana, Namibia, South Africa), and for two to nine years in other countries in these regions, as well as in Central Africa (Angola, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo).
In North Africa and the Middle East, SAT 2 was reported before 2023 in Egypt (in 2012, 2014, and from 2016 to 2020), Palestine (in 2012 and 2013) and Sudan (in 2007, 2009 and 2013).
This spread is probably underestimated as the available information largely depends on the typing capacity of affected countries. WOAH recommends that neighbouring countries and trading partners ensure appropriate surveillance.
Vector-borne diseases
Nearly a third of the 90 land animal diseases listed by WOAH are vector-borne (either entirely or where vectors play an important role), and these include zoonotic diseases. Some showed significant evolution in 2023 and early 2024.
Avian influenza
To limit losses due to highly contagious avian influenza, vaccination is being considered by some countries. As described in WOAH standards, vaccination against avian influenza can be considered as part of a broader disease prevention and control strategy.
WOAH published a policy mandate on the use of vaccination in December 2023.
Of the 139 countries and regions that submitted one or both of their six-monthly reports on land animal diseases for 2023 by March 8, 2024, seven reported the implementation of official vaccination against avian influenza: China, Egypt, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Russia and Uzbekistan.
WOAH expects more once all members have submitted their six-monthly reports for 2023. The effectiveness of avian influenza vaccination in poultry depends on the use of appropriate vaccines at the recommended doses.
African swine fever
Given the current global presence and spread of African swine fever and its complex epidemiology, controlling the disease is becoming increasingly difficult. Vaccination can be an effective tool, but there has long been a lack of effective vaccines.
Another important way to reduce the impact and spread of the disease at ground level is the application of zoning and compartmentalisation.
Direct inquiries to the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation at 012 349 1102, corine@rpo.co.za, www.rpo.co.za
