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November 2012 Number 10

BENV National Veterinary Epidemiological Bulletin

INDEX

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EDITORIAL 03

IN THESE MONTHS Sampling on the basis of the risk 04 West Nile Disease: epidemiological situation in Italy, Greece and Croatia 06 HAND ON DATA Outbreaks reported to SIMAN 10 Outbreaks reported to SIMAN by Italian regions 11 Animals involved 12 -

A LOOK AT THE MAPS 15 OFFICIALY FREE TERRITORIES 16 AROUND US “Foot and mouth disease in Egypt and Libya: which risks for Europe?” 23 The XIII international symposium on veterinary epidemiology and economics 28 -

DRAFTING 31

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EDITORIAL

The BENV as a tool for disseminating information Dear readers, in this issue of Benv we put again our attention on the West Nile disease, presenting in the section “in these months” an article on the evolution of the epidemiological situation of the recent confirmed cases both in humans and in horses in Italy, Greece and Croatia. In the latter country human cases have been notified for the first time .

A further article on the description of sampling methods is included in the same section of Benv. This article analyse the risk-based sampling, a non-probabilistic method particularly useful in case of rare events or emerging diseases and very effective in clustered infections.

In the section “around us”, an article focuses on the risks of introduction of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Europe, considering the outbreaks recently reported in Libya and Egypt. The prevention of FMD introduction in free countries and the eradication of infection where FMD is present still remain a global priority for veterinary authorities.

Finally, this issue of Benv reports a chronicle on the XIII International Conference on Veterinary Epidemiology ISVEE, held from 20th to 24th August 2012 in Maastricht, a city in the Netherlands on the border with Belgium.

The conference is organized every three years by the International Society for Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, a non - profit organization established to promote the study of veterinary epidemiology and health economics in the worldDuring the conference, several topics were presented, from advanced statistical models to the socio-economic impact of diseases, to the application of epidemiology in veterinary practice.

The maps and tables show the situation of outbreaks reported to SIMAN up to 30 September 2012.

Please, note that in the section of the territories officially free, you can view the maps of the territories officially free of tuberculosis, brucellosis and enzootic leucosis, according to the Community legislation up to 19th April, 2012. The reference legislation is given in the tables of the same section.

Thank you for your attention.

Simona Iannetti & Paolo Calistri (COVEPI)

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IN THESE MONTHS

The main events of epidemiological interest in the last months in Italy and in the European Union Sampling on the basis of the risk In the previous number, we have shown the principal sampling methods and discussed about the meaning of “sample�. To summarize, a sample is a subset of the whole study population, selected to be representative of that population. The sampling methods are probabilistic and non- probabilistic: in the first case, each component of the population may have the same probability of being selected to be part of the sample; in the non-probability sampling, for example a convenience sampling, each member of the population may have its own chance of being selected. In a convenience sampling, the components of the population are selected to be part of the sample with convenience criteria, rather than representativeness criteria.

Another type of non-probabilistic sampling which may confer a higher efficiency to an ongoing study is sampling on the basis of the risk (risk based) . In the field of risk analysis, the risk is defined by the probability of the occurrence of an undesirable event and the magnitude of the consequences of that event.

A risk based approach is promoted by the European Commission for planning some monitoring programmes in food safety and animal health. For instance, according to the Directive 2006/88/EC of the Council of the European Commission, Member States must ensure that a risk-based animal health surveillance scheme is applied to all farms and mollusc farming areas, that are production or relaying areas in which all aquaculture production businesses operate under a common biosecurity system.

The objective of the scheme is to detect increased mortality and the presence of the diseases listed in Part II of Annex IV of the Directive. The frequency of inspections will be determined by the categorisation of each farm or mollusc farming area. Moreover, a risk-based approach was requested also for monitoring the dairy products safety and for avian influenza surveillance.

The aim of the risk-based surveillance, therefore, is to increase the likelihood of detecting or quantifying a threat when this is difficult to do determine with a random sampling. to establish priorities and to allocate the available resources in an efficient and efficacy way. The goal is to reach a high ratio cost/benefit.

In the food safety field, where the frequency of sampling and the analysis carried out on a specific food should be based on the risk for the consumer, the risk-based approach has the target to assure an efficient protection against food chemical, biological, or physical contaminants. To date, many animal health surveillance plans foresee risk-based sampling activities. An example is given by the avian influenza surveillance plan, for which the surveillance method to be implemented in 2012 in Italy has been defined according to the risk, taking into account different risk factors, among which the identification of areas with a high density of poultry farms, the location of poultry farms close to wetlands or high density of migratory wild birds of susceptible species, the type of production, the epidemiological situation, trade, and so on.

Moreover, based on the risk of introduction and /or spread both industry and rural farms (weaner, traders and rural farmers) should be tested.

Risk-based surveillance is also useful in case of rare events or emerging diseases. An example is given by the surveillance strategies for foot and mouth disease (FMD), put in place to demonstrate the absence of infection and viral circulation. According to the Animal Health Code of the World animal health organization (OIE), particular importance should be given to the targeted collection of data (e.g. based on the

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increased likelihood of infection in particular localities or species), or to the regular and frequent clinical inspection and serological testing of high-risk groups of animals.

In fact, a failure in finding the infection in a high risk subpopulation (at a given design prevalence) is equivalent to a failure in a random survey with a much lower design prevalence. Therefore, risk-based sampling has a better cost/effectiveness ratio than random sampling and is able to give a greater confidence in the absence of disease.

Risk based surveillance is the most effective way to detect clustered infection and endemic foci. For instance, the detection of most of FMD clusters of infection and endemic foci is performed in conditions of high levels of population immunity, when the mass vaccination is still practiced. The only feasible way to detect a clustered infection, especially when clusters are as small as those expected in a massively vaccinated population, is to perform a targeted sampling of the highest risk component of the high-risk subpopulations, i.e. to clinically examine and serologically test young unvaccinated animals in the high risk populations.

The identification of the high risk subpopulation requires an accurate investigation and trace back of the source of outbreaks during the epidemic. Aim of the investigation is the identification of the specific features of the primary outbreaks that are able to explain the presence and/or the persistence of the infection in those specific farms.

The type of the features to be investigated as possible risk factors are for example the herd size, the economic conditions and the primary source of subsistence of the farmer, the production system, the intensity of trade and the source of supply of the farm, as well as characteristics of husbandry and of other local anthropological, social, economical and religious factors.

In particular, the identification of risk factors to be used in planning “risk-based surveillance� has to be based on a proper application of scientific method: 1. a theoretical hypothesis of a set of putative risk factors has to be formulated on the basis of the relevant literature; 2. each putative risk factor has to be challenged with field data following a clearly defined and statistically sound procedure; such procedure should also be able to assess the possible role of confounding factors; 3. only those risk factors that are not refuted by the challenge against field data will be used to plan the risk based surveillance component.

The precise adherence to scientific methods is necessary to the proper identification of risk factors because any error in this phase would have catastrophic consequences in the planning of surveillance.

To challenge the theoretical risk factors against field data, a deep descriptive analysis of available historical data on the past epidemics and outbreaks has to be carried out.

The aim of this descriptive analysis is to provide the information needed to design the following inferential process of refutation/acceptance of the risk factors.

Once risk factors are identified, all holdings sharing the risk factors identified in the investigation performed during the epidemic will be the targeted risk sub-populations.

The next issue will be the planning of a sampling during an epidemiologic survey and how it is possible to introduce errors at the moment of the selection of the sample.

-References V. Caporale, A. Giovannini, C. Zepeda-Sein. 2012. Surveillance strategies for foot and mouth disease to prove absence from disease and absence from viral circulation. In press.

Simona Iannetti & Paolo Calistri (COVEPI)

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West Nile Disease: epidemiological situation in Italy, Greece and Croatia Epidemiological situation in Europe and in Mediterranean basin.

West Nile disease (WND) is a viral zoonosis transmitted by vector (mosquitoes).

In the last 30 years an increase in the WND cases incidence was reported in horses and humans in Europe and in the Mediterranean Basin.

Since 2008, some areas were affected by the virus circulation for several consecutive years, this situation supports the hypothesis of a possible endemisation of infection, linked to the ability of some strains of the West Nile Virus (WNV) to overcome the cold season through birds and mosquitoes.

In 2012 a new epidemic of West Nile disease is occurring in Europe and in Mediterranean Basin: cases of infection have been reported in Italy, Greece, Russia, Israel, Occupied Palestinian territory, Tunisia, Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Kosovo, Hungary and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Information about the evolution of the epidemiological situation in the Mediterranean Basin can be found in the WND Bulletin in Europe and in the Mediterranean Basin, constantly updated by the National Reference Centre for the study and verification of Foreign Animal Diseases (CESME).

Epidemiological situation in Italy, Greece and Croatia.

In Italy, the first reported WND outbreak occurred in the Tuscany Region during the late summer of 1998, when some horses residing in proximity of Fucecchio marshes showed WND clinical signs.

Following the Italian outbreak in 1998, the Ministry of Health, since 2002, put in place the WND National Surveillance Plan with the aim of monitoring the introduction and circulation of WNV in the country.

In the Summer 2008, after ten years of silence, a large epidemic outbreaks involved three Italian Northern Regions: Emilia Romagna, Veneto, Lombardy.

The infection was reported in 2009, 2010 and 2011 involving territories previously affected by the virus circulation and new areas of central-southern Italy. The active and passive surveillance identified WND cases in man and in animals.

In 2012, WND has been confirmed in Sardinia, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto. To date, 8/10/2012, 22 neuroinvasive cases of WND were reported in humans, in Veneto, Sardinia and Friuli Venezia Giulia Regions. Moreover, fourteen humans with West Nile fever and 5 blood donors tested positive for WNV in Veneto Region.

The National Reference Centre for the study and verification of Foreign Animal Diseases (CESME) confirmed: •

•

• •

20 WND cases in horses located in 14 outbreaks, in Sardinia, in Veneto and in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Four horses, one in Venezia (start of event 29/08/2012), one in Treviso (start of event 28/08/2012) and 2 in Pordenone (start of event 11/09/2012 e 18/09/2012) Province, showed WND clinical signs; 7 PCR positive for WND on 7 synanthropic birds: 2 hooded crow (Corvus corone cornix), captured in in Sardinia Region (Olbia-Tempio and Medio Campidano Province), and 5 magpies (Pica pica) captured, in Friuli Venezia Giulia Region (Udine Province); 1 PCR positive for WND on 1 northern goshawk (Accipiter Gentilis) captured in Sardinia Region (Oristano Province); 13 PCR positive for WND in13 pool of mosquitoes captured in Friuli Venezia Giulia (Udine Province) and in Veneto (Venezia, Treviso and Rovigo Province).

The results of phylogenetic analysis of the Italian isolates in 1998, 2008 and 2009 indicate that these strains belong to the lineage I and show high nucleotide and aminoacid similarity to the Mediterranean strain.

The high identity between 2008 and 2009 WNV strains, supports the hypothesis

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that the virus was able to survive during the inter-epidemic period, going beyond the winter and achieving to a new transmission cycle in 2009 in the infected areas of Northern Italy.

In 2011 and 2012 not only the presence of lineage I, as in previous years, but also of strains belonging to lineage II in Friuli Venezia Giulia (mosquitoes), Veneto (mosquitoes, birds), Marche (human) and Sardinia (birds) were detected.

The figure 1 shows the geographical distribution of viral circulation in 2012 in Italy (updated October 8, 2012).

In Greece serological studies detected WNV antibodies in animals (rabbits, goats, cattle, horses) and humans in the 1970s and 1980s, but an intensive surveillance on blood donor samples in 2006 and 2007 failed to reveal any positive result.

The first evidence of WNV infection in humans has been documented in 2010. In that year WND epidemic and nervous symptoms in horses and humans were reported.

In 2011, for the second consecutive year, WND epidemic affected Greece. In 2011, the infection re-occurred in the same places of the 2010, Central Macedonia, and moved to east involving new areas.

The phylogenetic analysis of the isolates in 2010 and 2011 in Greece indicates that these strains belong to the lineage II. The sequences of the strains in two consecutive years show a highest homology.

Cases of WNV infection have been reported also in 2012 in horses and humans.

To date 8/10/2012, 157 laboratory diagnosed cases of WN infection and 13 deaths have been reported, 106 of which with neuro-invasive disease (encephalitis and/or meningitis and/or acute flaccid paralysis) and 51 cases with mild symptoms (febrile syndrome). Eight cases of WND in horses in Greece were identified: 3 clinical cases and 5 serological positivity were detected through surveillance activities.

The figure 2 shows the geographical distribution of viral circulation in 2012 in Greece (updated October 8, 2012).

The presence of WNV infection in Croatia was serologically confirmed in 4 out of 980 tested horses during the end of the 2001 and the beginning of 2002.

A study performed on horses and cattle sera samples collected from October 2010 to April 2011 reported specific WNV antibodies (IgG). These result confirmed the presence of WNV for at least 10 years and recent circulation of WNV in Croatia is also confirmed by five positive animals from eight to eleven months of age.

There were no clinical cases related to WND. The highest seroprevalence was found in Eastern Croatia in countries close to Hungarian, Serbian and Bosnia and Herzegovinian borders. The geographic distribution indicated that WNV spread from East to West. In the Adriatic side of Croatia positive animals were found only in the western county, near Slovenian and Italian borders. Positive horses in western part of country indicate possible second origin of spreading.

In 2012, for the first time human cases have been reported in Croatia: 5 probable, 3 confirmed and 4 autochthonous cases: of these four cases, one was Bosnia and Herzegovinian state borders, and 3 were at the border with Serbia, one imported WND case from Serbia.

Six WND cases, in the months of July and August 2012, found in horses located in Vukovar-Syrmi area, were identified through surveillance activities. Serologic investigations revealed positivity for antibodies to class M (IgM).

The figure 3 shows the geographical distribution of the viral circulation in 2012 in Croatia (updated October 8, 2012).

The increasing number of WND cases reported in the Mediterranean Basin and in the Balkans can be explained in part by the growing attention to this infection, as well as a real spread of the virus. Further study are needed to clarify the ecological and epidemiological models of infection related to endemisation of infection as well as the introduction of the virus by migrating birds.

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Figure 1.

Geographical distribution of viral circulation in 2012 in Italy - updated October 8, 2012 -

Figure 2.

Geographical distribution of viral circulation in 2012 in Greece - updated October 8, 2012 -

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Figure 3.

Geographical distribution of viral circulation in 2012 in Croatia - updated October 8, 2012 -

-Edited by: Rossana Bruno & Daria Di Sabatino

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HAND ON DATA

010 Hand on data

Number of outbreaks reported to SIMAN up to 30th September, 2012

Outbreaks reported to SIMAN

First January- 30th september 2012

Number of outbreaks reported to SIMAN by Italian regions up to 30th September, 2012

Outbreaks reported to SIMAN by Italian regions

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012 Hand on data

Animal involved in outbreaks of infectious diseases reported to SIMAN up to 30th September, 2012

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up to 30th September 2012

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A LOOK AT THE MAPS

The geographical distribution of the main animal diseases

Equine infectious anaemia

-Distribuzione geografica dei focolai

Bluetongue

-Geographical distribution of the outbreaks

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Swine vescicular disease

-Distribuzione geografica dei focolai dal 1째gennaio al 31 dicembre 2011 -Geographical distribution of the outbreaks

Avian influenza, low patogenicity

-Geographical distribution of the outbreaks

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African swine fever

-Geographical distribution of the outbreaks

West Nile Fever

-Geographical distribution of the outbreaks

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OFFICIALLY FREE TERRITORIES

According to the Community legislation, 19th April 2012

Bovine tubercolosis

Provinces and regions officially free according to the Community legislation updated to 19/04/2012

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Bovine brucellosis

Provinces and regions officially free according to the Community legislation updated to 19/04/2012

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Leukosis

Provinces and regions officially free according to the Community legislation updated to 19/04/2012

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Ovi-caprine Brucellosis

Provinces and regions officially free according to the Community legislation updated to 19/04/2012

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AROUND US

The main events of epidemiological interest in the last months in the European Union and in neighboring countries.

“Foot and mouth disease in Egypt and Libya: which risks for Europe?”

“Urgent action is required to control a major outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and prevent its spread throughout North Africa and the Middle East, which could have serious implications for food security in the region”, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) warned on 22 March 2012.

FMD is a viral infectious disease of cloven-hoofed domestic and wild animals that is, perhaps, the most contagious known disease and one of the most important Transboundary animal diseases (TADS) . Economic losses, related to those countries where FMD is endemic, include reduction in production parameters such as decreases in milk production, weight gain, reproductive inefficiencies and death in young ruminants and swine; moreover, affected animals cannot work lands accounting for further economic losses (1).

A vested interest in the free status maintenance represents a priority in countries where the disease has been eradicated because of preventing the livestock slaughtering and the block of meat and derivatives trade. Therefore, to prevent the introduction of FMD in free countries and to eradicate where FMD is present still remain a global priority for authorities.

The worldwide disease distribution reflects the global economic development: rich countries tend to be free from FMD while many developing and transition countries do not have the economic resources, infrastructure and adequate veterinary services to eradicate the disease. Tolerance to the virus is conceivable in developing countries if high morbidity (up to 100% in cattle) and low mortality (less than 1%) are considered (13); not being usually a fatal disease does not constitute a priority for those countries that do not have the interest of exporting live animals of susceptible species or their products to free countries.

The FMD viral distribution at global level is characterized by seven different “virus pools” distributed in Africa, Eurasia and parts of South America; in these pools, FMD virus serotypes circulate and evolve with new epidemics which may result in “jumps” of infection into neighbouring countries. There are seven recognized serotypes of FMD (O, A, C, Asia 1, SAT 1, SAT 2 and SAT 3), which differ in distribution across the world. Serotypes A and O have the widest distribution, occurring in Africa, Asia and South America. Types SAT 1, 2 and 3 are currently restricted to Africa only and Asia 1 to Asia; the capacity to invade free areas is common to all types and periodically SATs are introduced into the Near East, and Asia-1 into western and eastern parts of Eurasia (2).

The confirmation of South African Territories serotype (SAT2) in Libya and Egypt in February 2012 (Fig.1), both endemic countries for serotypes O and A represented a serious event in a region with an important livestock sector (according to FAO’s livestock census data, 6.3 million buffaloes and cattle and 7.5 million sheep and goats are at risk in Egypt while in Libya a quite small population of 200,000 cattle and 4-5 million of small ruminants are present) (3).

From February 2012 up to now 50 outbreaks caused by SAT2 were notified to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) in Egypt (49 outbreaks whose source of infection is unknown to date) and Libya (1 outbreak caused by the introduction of new live cattle in Benghazi, Eastern Province) (Fig.1).

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According to official reports, most of the current FMD SAT2 outbreaks reported in Egypt are mainly concentrated in the north-east part of the country, in an area where most intensive livestock farms are located: thirteen outbreaks were reported in eight out of 27 governorates concentrated in the Nile Delta area and very few in the southern part of the country as shown in figure 1 (1).

Affected species include buffaloes, cattle and small ruminants for both countries are reported from the World Animal Health Information Database (WAHID): 7,146 cases on a susceptible population of 35,146 animals in Egypt and 11 cases on a susceptible population of 46 in Libya.

This represents for Egypt the first report of outbreaks related to this serotype, while for Libya a re-introduction of serotype SAT2 nine years since it was last reported in 2003.

Figure 1.

WAHID outbreaks maps of FMD SAT2 serotype from February 2012 up to October 2012. (A) Libya (B) Egypt: most of the outbreaks have occurred where there is a high density of cattle, sheep and goats in the Nile Delta.

A FMD outbreak can occur when: carrier animals are introduced into susceptible herds, contaminated facilities are used to hold susceptible animals, contaminated vehicles are used to move susceptible animals, raw or improperly cooked garbage containing infected meat or animal products is fed to susceptible animals, people wearing contaminated clothes or footwear or using contaminated equipment pass the virus to susceptible animals; susceptible animals are exposed to materials such as hay, feedstuffs, hides, or biologics contaminated with the virus susceptible animals drink common source contaminated water (4).

FAO analysis showed that outbreak occurred in eastern Libya and widespread outbreaks reported throughout Egypt came from two separate introductions of the SAT2 strain brought northward via formal and informal trade movements of livestock from the arid Sahel region (5).

The various situations of social and political insecurity that have been brought on by civil unrest compounded by another year of failed rains in much of the Sahel is the driving force in increased migrations as herders search for pasture and markets for their animals representing the outbreaks leading cause. The warning level of Veterinary authorities of southern European countries like Italy increased after the North African occurrences also taking into consideration the social turmoils during the past year.

The Italian mass media announcement on a sheep from Libya landed on Lampedusa island promptly destroyed was paradigmatic in this respect (7).

Is there a real risk of introducing FMD into Europe from North Africa?

The spread of SAT2 into the Middle East is of great concern to countries in the region and to European nations since further spread may be possible. For example, in January 1962, FMDV (FMD virus) SAT1 was introduced into Bahrain from East Africa. Within a few months it had spread to Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, and Greece. The virus persisted in Iran until 1964 and Turkey until 1965. Furthermore,

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2 more restricted incursions of SAT1 also occurred in 1969-1970 (Kuwait and Saudi Arabia) and 1984 (North Yemen) (8). The potential impact to Europe was clearly shown by outbreaks that occurred in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2001 and subsequently in other Member states in north-western Europe, resulting in the loss of millions of animals at the cost of more than € 12 billion (6). After FMD epidemic in the UK, FMD reappeared in 2011 in Europe when 12 outbreaks caused by serotype O have been notified in Bulgaria just two kilometers from the Turkish border (9) (Fig.2) (14), firstly in wild boars which probably were infected as a result of contact with infected animals or by contact with untreated foodstuffs illegally carried from infected regions and secondly infection was demonstrated also in domestic animals. Genetic and epidemiological data on FMD viruses identified in Bulgarian Thrace indicate that FMD has spread by wildlife but also by transport by man.

Figure 2.

WAHID 12 outbreaks map of FMD O serotype in Bulgaria. First report dates back to January 4th 2011. Outbreaks have been resolved on June 7th, 2011. (Fonte: WAHID).

A risk assessment by EFSA on FMD introduction into the EU from developing countries has established that Europe remains vulnerable to the introduction of FMD from endemic disease areas outside its borders. In the context of increasing imports of animals and animal products into the European Union, not to mention the expansion of the borders of the European Union itself, the risk from both legal and illegal activities is likely to increase (6). Geographical proximity with infected areas and commerce as well as ethnical, sociological, and cultural factors as Europe experiences greater immigration and increased trade in commodities are indications that risks could not be expected to decrease.

EFSA assessment also considers imports of live animals originating from the Middle East a threat to the EU primarily, but not exclusively, to south-eastern Europe. Illegal importation of infected meat and meat products and possibly legal importation of other animal products, such as casings (derived from intestines), from South-East Asia, China and Southern Asia may represent a threat that is more evenly spread throughout the EU. The illegal introduction of infection from FMD infected animals is certainly possible representing the major risk factor, although the livestock and derived products trade into Europe is ban from northern African countries that are not free from the disease.

Are there strategic solutions to prevent FMD introduction in Europe?

The disease control strategy for protecting European Union is based mainly on two different approaches: in and out control. The first one approach is based on an efficient surveillance system early detecting FMD cases, an early emergency response that involves putting a pre-rehearsed contingency plan into action and eliminate infection as rapidly as possible. On the other hand the “out” approach considers the

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prevalence reduction of FMD in those countries in which is endemic. FMD can be controlled at source by reducing the global weight of infection so that the EU and other FMD-free areas of the world can achieve a sustainable reduction in their own risk. FMD is most prevalent in those parts of Asia and Africa that have no formal arrangements for trade in meat and live animals with the EU. Therefore the reduction of the risk associated with legal trade of these commodities will have limited effect on the overall long-term risk to Europe, via legal trade in these commodities.

Nevertheless, because of the illegal imports and legal imports of other commodities the best long term protection for Europe and other developed economies from FMD is to face the problem in the developing countries to reduce the weight of infection and risk of spread (10).

It is of paramount importance to create a strong protection system against potential threats such as FMD and other priority diseases like highly pathogenic avian influenza, peste des petits ruminants, African horse sickness, Rift Valley fever, rabies etc.

After the eradication of rinderpest the worldwide veterinary community has decided to proceed with the eradication of FMD. The joint FAO/OIE Global FMD Control Strategy aims to offer a framework and the tools to initiate and implement a wellstructured approach to global FMD control. The strategy includes three components: 1 improving global FMD control; 2 strengthening Veterinary Services (VS); 3 improving the prevention and control of other major diseases of livestock; The FMD Progressive Control Pathway (PCP-FMD) is the major tool of Component 1, it offers a structured 5-stage approach to FMD control, from the beginning up to the point where a country can submit a dossier to the OIE for official recognition of freedom from FMD. The Strategy strongly recommends and supports a regional approach to exchange information and experiences, coordinate efforts and develop regional Roadmaps showing the country’s ambitions and allowing regular progress assessment.

The OIE Performance of the Veterinary Services (PVS) Pathway is the major tool of Component 2 to structure and plan the activities and assess progress. OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code articles (Terrestrial Code) and Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals (Terrestrial Manual) will guide and highlight the requirements for countries to have their national FMD control plan endorsed by the OIE or to apply for FMD-free status recognition. At the regional and international levels, the activities address coordination, support to diseasespecific laboratories and epidemiology networks, joint capacity building workshops, strengthening of regional animal health expertise and participation in regional conferences on animal health.

The last Component can be obtained through other Components achievement because progress in FMD control (i.e. reaching a higher FMD-PCP Stage) implies an appropriate enabling environment for disease control (i.e. having improved the capacities and capabilities of the VS). This implies that the VS are better prepared to deal with the control of other animal diseases (12).

-Bibliography 1. Foot-and-mouth disease caused by serotype SAT2 in Egypt and Libya. A Regional concern for animal health in North Africa and the Middle East. EMPRES WATCH Vol. 25 March 2012 2. Focus on...Foot-and-Mouth Disease Situation worldwide and major epidemiological events in 2005-2006. EMPRES Issue No 1 - 2007 http://www.fao.org/docs/eims/upload/225050/Focus_ON_1_07_en.pdf 3. http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/129919/icode/ 4. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/content/printable_version/fs_foot_ mouth_disease07.pdf 5. http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/home/en/news_archive/AGA_in_action/2012_Egypt_and_

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Libya_hit_by_foot-and-mouth_disease.html 6. EFSA Assessment of the Risk of Introducing Foot and Mouth Disease into the EU and the Reduction of this Risk through Interventions in Infected Countries: a review and follow-up.

EDITORIAL Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 55 (2008) 3-4.

7. http://www.izs.it/IZS/Engine/RAServePG.php/P/334510010300/M/334210010303/Sicurezzaveterinaria.-Pecora-proveniente-dalla-Libia-abbattuta 8. http://www.promedmail.org/direct.php?id=20120507.1125683 9. http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Wahidhome/Home 10. Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Animal Health and Welfare on request fromthe European Commission related to: Assessing the risk of Foot and Mouth Disease introduction into the EU from developing countries, Assessing the reduction of this risk through interventions in developing countries / regions aiming at controlling / eradicating the disease, and Tools for the control of a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak: update on diagnostics and vaccines. The EFSA Journal (2006) 313, 1-34.

11. http://www.salute.gov.it/veterinariaInternazionale/paginaInternaMenuVeterinariaInternazionale.jsp?id=1627&lingua=italiano&menu=rapporti 12. http://www.oie.int/eng/A_FMD2012/Docs/Altogether%20FMDcontrol_strategy27June.pdf 13. http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Factsheets/pdfs/foot_and_mouth_disease.pdf 14. http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Reviewreport/Review/viewsummary -Edited by: Maria Luisa Danzetta

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The XIII international symposium on veterinary epidemiology and economics

Decision makers dealing with animal health problems, at the herd, regional, national and international level are increasingly facing with new challenges. New pathogens like the Schmallenberg virus, increasing demand for animal protein in developing countries, climate change, increasing interest in the risks of animals for human health are only a few out of many. Veterinary epidemiology and veterinary economics are the scientific disciplines that can help taking the best decision, because they provide crucial quantitative information about animal health at the population level.

The International Society for Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics (ISVEE) is a non-profit organization that was created to promote the study of veterinary epidemiology and veterinary economics throughout the world.

According to the statute, the major objective of ISVEE is to organize scientific meetings in order to exchange information on developments in the fields of veterinary epidemiology and economics.

The first meeting was held in 1976; additional symposia were held every three years thereafter in different regions of the world. The symposia are organized around several scientific themes. Topics such as risk analysis and management, animal agriculture, food safety, public health, economics and livestock production, epidemiologic methods, and education are addressed. ISVEE symposia are open to people interested in these issues, particularly those involved in veterinary epidemiology, economics, or education.

In the presentation letter of the 13th conference (ISVEE XIII), the president of the scientific committee, Arjan Stegeman, wrote that “only by crossing the border with other disciplines like microbiology, immunology, veterinary and animal sciences, communication and others and by focussing on the bridges that connect them with veterinary epidemiology and economics is possible to create the multi-disciplinary approach needed to solve many of today’s research questions�.

Crossing borders, building bridges is the motto of the ISVEE XIII. The ISVEE XIII was held from 20 - 24 August 2012 in the city of Maastricht, close to the border of the Netherlands and Belgium (Figure 1).

ISVEE XIII was attended by 918 participants representing 73 different countries from around the world. The United Kingdom and the Netherlands were the countries with the highest number of participants (122 and 108 respectively), while most of the countries attended the symposium with less than 5 participants (Figure 2).

Concerning Italy, the participants were 44.

A variety of topics were presented from sophisticated statistical modelling over socio-economic impact of diseases to the application of veterinary epidemiology in daily practice. More than 420 papers and 560 posters were presented. The papers were discussed during the 71 oral sessions, while the posters were divided by 12 different topics (Figure 3).

Moreover, a total of 21 bursary awards were awarded to PhD students from developing countries to participate in ISVEE XIII. All the abstracts and posters are included into the book of abstracts available at the ISVEE XIII official website.

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Figure 1.

The ISVEE XIII logo

Figure 2.

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BENV National Veterinary Epidemiological Bulletin

Figure 3.

Poster session

-Edited by: Simona Iannetti (COVEPI)

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DRAFTING

National Reference Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology, Planning, Information and Risk Analysis (COVEPI) Epidemiology Dr. Paolo Calistri ph +39 0861 332241 Statistics and GIS Dr. Annamaria Conte ph +39 0861 332246

National Reference Centre for the study and verification of Foreign Animal Diseases (CESME) Diagnostics and Monitoring of Exotic Viral Diseases Dr. Federica Monaco ph +39 0861 332446

Coordinator Dr. Simona Iannetti (COVEPI). mail benv@izs.it fax +39 0861 332251 www.izs.it

Diagnostic and surveillance of exotic diseases, Virology laboratory. Windhoek, Namibia Dr. Massimo Scacchia ph +39 0861 332405

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