Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission Report October 2008

CHAPTER 11.8.

CONTAGIOUS BOVINE PLEUROPNEUMONIA
Article 11.8.1.
General provisions
For the purposes of the Terrestrial Code, the incubation period for contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) shall be 6 months.
For the purpose of this chapter, a case of CBPP means an animal infected with Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC (MmmSC), and freedom from CBPP means freedom from MmmSC infection.
For the purpose of this chapter, susceptible animals include domestic cattle (Bos indicus and B. taurus) and water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).
For the purposes of international trade, this chapter deals not only with the occurrence of clinical signs caused by MmmSC, but also with the presence of infection with MmmSC in the absence of clinical signs.
The following defines the occurrence of MmmSC infection:
1.	MmmSC has been isolated and identified as such from an animal, embryos, oocytes or semen; or
2.	antibodies to MmmSC antigens which are not the consequence of vaccination, or MmmSC DNA, have been identified in one or more animals showing pathological lesions consistent with infection with MmmSC with or without clinical signs, and epidemiological links to a confirmed outbreak of CBPP in susceptible animals.
Standards for diagnostic tests and vaccines are described in the Terrestrial Manual.
Article 11.8.1.bis
Trade in commodities
When authorising import or transit of live ruminants, Veterinary Authorities should comply with recommendations of this Chapter as relevant to the CBPP status of the exporting country, zone or compartment.
When authorising import or transit of the following commodities, Veterinary Authorities should not require any CBPP related conditions, regardless of the CBPP risk status of the bovine population of the exporting country or zone:
1.	milk and milk products;
[2.	semen and in vivo derived cattle embryos collected and handled in accordance with the recommendation of the International Embryo Transfer Society; 
3.	hides and skins;
4.	meat and meat products].
Article 11.8.2.
CBPP free country, zone or compartment
To qualify for inclusion in the existing list of CBPP free countries, a Member should:
1.	have a record of regular and prompt animal disease reporting;
2.	send a declaration to the OIE stating that:
a)	there has been no outbreak of CBPP during the past 24 months;
b)	no evidence of CBPP infection has been found during the past 24 months;
c)	no vaccination against CBPP has been carried out during the past 24 months,
and supply documented evidence that surveillance for CBPP in accordance with this Chapter is in operation and that regulatory measures for the prevention and control of CBPP have been implemented;
3.	not have imported since the cessation of vaccination any animals vaccinated against CBPP.
The country will be included in the list only after the submitted evidence has been accepted by the OIE. Retention on the list requires that the information 2a), 2b), 2c) and 3 above be re-submitted annually and changes in the epidemiological situation or other significant events should be reported to the OIE according to the requirements in Chapter 1.1.
Article 11.8.3.
Recovery of free status
When a CBPP outbreak occurs in a CBPP free country, zone or compartment, one of the following waiting periods is required to regain the status of CBPP free country, zone or compartment:
1.	12 months after the last case where a stamping-out policy and serological surveillance and strict movement control are applied in accordance with this Chapter;
2.	if vaccination was used, 12 months after the slaughter of the last vaccinated animal.
Where a stamping-out policy is not practised, the above waiting periods do not apply but Article 11.8.2. applies.
Article 11.8.4.
Infected country
When the requirements for acceptance as a CBPP free country, zone or compartment are not fulfilled, a country shall be considered as CBPP infected.
Article 11.8.5.
Veterinary Authorities of CBPP free countries, zones or compartments may prohibit importation or transit through their territory of domestic cattle and water buffalo, from countries and zones considered infected with CBPP.

Article 11.8.6.
Recommendations for importation from CBPP free countries, zones or compartments
for domestic cattle and water buffaloes
Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the animals showed no clinical sign of CBPP on the day of shipment.
Article 11.8.7.
Recommendations for importation from CBPP infected countries or zones
for domestic cattle and water buffaloes for slaughter
Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the animals:
1.	showed no clinical sign of CBPP on the day of shipment;
2.	originate from an establishment where no case of CBPP was officially reported for the past 6 months, and
3.	are transported directly to the slaughterhouse in sealed vehicles.
Article 11.8.8.
Surveillance: Introduction
The Articles 11.8.9. to 11.8.13. define the principles and provides a guide for the surveillance of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in accordance with Chapter 1.4. applicable to Members seeking recognition from the OIE for establishment of freedom from CBPP. This may be for the entire country, zone or compartment within the country. Guidance is provided for Members seeking reestablishment of freedom from CBPP for the whole entire country, or for a zone or compartment within the country, following an outbreak, as well as guidelines and for the maintenance of CBPP free status are provided. These guidelines are intended to expand on and explain the requirements of this Chapter. Applications to the OIE for recognition of freedom should follow the format and answer all the questions posed by the "Questionnaire on CBPP" available from the OIE Central Bureau.
The impact and epidemiology of CBPP differ widely in different regions of the world and therefore it is impossible to provide specific guidelines for all situations. It is axiomatic that the sSurveillance strategies employed for demonstrating freedom from CBPP at an acceptable level of confidence will need to be adapted to the local situation. It is incumbent upon the applicant Member to submit a dossier to the OIE in support of its application that not only explains the epidemiology of CBPP in the region concerned but also demonstrates how all the risk factors are managed. This should include provision of scientifically-based supporting data. There is therefore considerable latitude available to OIE Members to provide a well-reasoned argument to prove that the absence of CBPP infection is assured at an acceptable level of confidence.
Surveillance for CBPP should be in the form of a continuing programme designed to establish that the whole territory or part of it is free from CBPP infection.
Article 11.8.9.
Surveillance: general conditions and methods
1.	A surveillance system in accordance with Chapter 1.4. should be under the responsibility of the Veterinary Authority. A procedure should be in place for the rapid collection and transport of samples from suspect cases of CBPP to a laboratory for CBPP diagnoses as described in the Terrestrial Manual.
2.	The CBPP surveillance programme should:
a)	include an early warning system throughout the production, marketing and processing chain for reporting suspicious cases. Farmers and workers (such as community animal health workers) who have day-to-day contact with livestock, meat inspectors as well as laboratory diagnosticians, should report promptly any suspicion of CBPP. They should be integrated directly or indirectly (e.g. through private veterinarians or veterinary para-professionals) into the surveillance system. All suspect cases of CBPP should be investigated immediately. Where suspicion cannot be resolved by epidemiological and clinical investigation, samples should be taken and submitted to an laboratory. This requires that sampling kits and other equipment are available for those responsible for surveillance. Personnel responsible for surveillance should be able to call for assistance from a team with expertise in CBPP diagnosis and control;
b)	implement, when relevant, regular and frequent clinical inspection and testing of high-risk groups of animals, such as those adjacent to a CBPP infected country or zone (for example, areas of transhumant production systems);
c)	take into consideration additional factors such as animal movement, different production systems, geographical and socio-economic factors that may influence the risk of disease occurrence.
An effective surveillance system will periodically identify suspicious cases that require follow-up and investigation to confirm or exclude that the cause of the condition is CBPP. The rate at which such suspicious cases are likely to occur will differ between epidemiological situations and cannot therefore be predicted reliably. Applications for freedom from CBPP infection should, in consequence, provide details of the occurrence of suspicious cases and how they were investigated and dealt with. This should include the results of laboratory testing and the control measures to which the animals concerned were subjected during the investigation (quarantine, movement stand-still orders, etc.).

Article 11.8.10.
Surveillance strategies
1.	Introduction
The target population for surveillance aimed at identifying disease and infection should cover all the susceptible species (Bos taurus, B. indicus and Bubalus bubalis) within the country, zone or compartment to be recognised as free from CBPP infection.
Given the limitations of the diagnostic tools available, the interpretation of surveillance results should be at the herd level rather than at the individual animal level.
Randomised surveillance may not be the preferred approach given the epidemiology of the disease (usually uneven distribution and potential for occult foci of infection in small populations) and the limited sensitivity and specificity of currently available tests. Targeted surveillance (e.g. based on the increased likelihood of infection in particular localities or species, focusing on slaughter findings, and active clinical surveillance) may be the most appropriate strategy. The applicant Member should justify the surveillance strategy chosen as adequate to detect the presence of CBPP infection in accordance with Chapter 1.4. and the epidemiological situation. 
Targeted surveillance may involve testing of the entire target subpopulation or a sample from it. In the latter case the sampling strategy will need to incorporate an epidemiologically appropriate design prevalence. The sample size selected for testing will need to be large enough to detect infection if it were to occur at a predetermined minimum rate. The sample size and expected disease prevalence determine the level of confidence in the results of the survey. The applicant Member must justify the choice of design prevalence and confidence level based on the objectives of surveillance and the epidemiological situation, in accordance with Chapter 1.4. Selection of the design prevalence in particular clearly needs to be based on the prevailing or historical epidemiological situation.
Irrespective of the survey design selected, the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic tests employed are key factors in the design, sample size determination and interpretation of the results obtained. Ideally, the sensitivity and specificity of the tests used should be validated. 
Irrespective of the surveillance system employed, the design should anticipate the occurrence of false positive reactions. If the characteristics of the testing system are known, the rate at which these false positives are likely to occur can be calculated in advance. There needs to be an effective procedure for following-up positives to ultimately determine with a high level of confidence, whether they are indicative of infection or not. This should involve follow-up with supplementary tests, clinical investigation and post-mortem examination in the original sampling unit as well as herds which may be epidemiologically linked to it.
2.	Clinical surveillance
Clinical surveillance aims at detecting clinical signs of CBPP in a herd by close physical examination of susceptible animals. Clinical inspection will be an important component of CBPP surveillance contributing to reach the desired level of confidence of detection of disease if a sufficiently large number of clinically susceptible animals is examined.
Clinical surveillance and laboratory testing should always be applied in series to clarify the status of CBPP suspects detected by either of these complementary diagnostic approaches. Laboratory testing and post-mortem examination may contribute to confirm clinical suspicion, while clinical surveillance may contribute to confirmation of positive serology. Any sampling unit within which suspicious animals are detected should be classified as infected until contrary evidence is produced.
3.	Pathological surveillance
Systematic pathological surveillance for CBPP is the most effective approach and should be conducted at slaughterhouses and other slaughter facilities. Suspect pathological findings should be confirmed by agent identification. Training courses for slaughter personnel and meat inspectors are recommended. 
4.	Serological testing
Serological surveillance is not the preferred strategy for CBPP. However, in the framework of epidemiologic investigations, serological testing may be used. 
The limitations of available serological tests for CBPP will make the interpretation of results difficult and useful only at the herd level. Positive findings should be followed-up by clinical and pathological investigations and agent identification.
Clustering of seropositive reactions should be expected in CBPP infections and will be usually accompanied by clinical signs. As clustering may signal field strain infection, the investigation of all instances must be incorporated in the surveillance strategy. 
Following the identification of a CBPP infected herd, contact herds need to be tested serologically. Repeated testing may be necessary to reach an acceptable level of confidence in herd classification. 
5.	Agent surveillance
Agent surveillance using tests described in the Terrestrial Manual should be conducted to follow-up and confirm or exclude suspect cases. Isolates should be typed to confirm MmmSC.
Article 11.8.11.
Countries or zones applying for recognition of freedom from CBPP 
In addition to the general conditions described in this Chapter, an OIE Member applying for recognition of CBPP freedom for the country or a zone should provide evidence for the existence of an effective surveillance programme. The strategy and design of the surveillance programme will depend on the prevailing epidemiological circumstances and will be planned and implemented according to general conditions and methods in this Chapter, to demonstrate absence of CBPP infection, during the preceding 24 months in susceptible populations. This requires the support of a national or other laboratory able to undertake identification of CBPP infection using methods described in the Terrestrial Manual. 

Article 11.8.12.
Compartments seeking recognition of freedom from CBPP
The bilateral recognition of CBPP free compartments should follow the principles laid in this Chapter, Chapter 4.3. and Chapter 4.4.

Article 11.8.13.
Countries or zones re-applying for recognition of freedom from CBPP following an outbreak
In addition to the general conditions described in this Chapter, a Member re-applying for recognition of country or zone freedom from CBPP should show evidence of an active surveillance programme for CBPP, following the recommendations of this Chapter. 
Two strategies are recognised by the OIE in a programme to eradicate CBPP infection following an outbreak:
1.	slaughter of all clinically affected and in-contact susceptible animals;
2.	vaccination used without subsequent slaughter of vaccinated animals.
The time periods before which an application can be made for re-instatement of freedom from CBPP depends on which of these alternatives is followed. The time periods are prescribed in Article 11.8.3.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
   	text deleted