APPENDIX III
OFFICE INTERNATIONAL DES EPIZOOTIES (OIE)
The Office International des Epizooties (OIE) in Paris, France, was created in 1924 as the world organization for animal health. Today, there are 147 member countries. The goal of the OIE is to promote awareness of disease problems associated with trade in live animals and animal products, and of the means for their control and prevention.
STRUCTURE OF THE OIE
The Chief Veterinary Officer in each Member Country serves as (or appoints) a Delegate to the International Committee which meets annually in General Session at the OIE Headquarters in Paris. The Delegate for the United States is Dr. Joan Arnoldi, USDA/APHIS, and the Delegate for Canada is Dr. Norman Willis, Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The Delegates elect a President and members of the Administrative, Regional and Specialist Commissions for periods of three years. The International Committee reviews the budget, supervises management, and rules on questions relating to the mission and operations of the OIE. Decisions take the form of resolutions that are voted upon in the General Session. Areas covered include: scientific and technical orientation of the OIE, recommendations to Member Countries on control of animal diseases, creation of Working Groups or Commissions to advise the OIE, and signing of agreements with other International Organizations.
SPECIALIST COMMISSIONS
Specialist Commissions are composed of a small number of experts, elected by the International Committee, to provide technical advise on the epidemiology, detection and control of animal diseases and to make recommendations on international regulations. Currently, the Specialist Commissions concerned with aquatic animals are:
THE STANDARDS COMMISSION which establishes standards for diagnostic methods and for testing biological products, such as vaccines.
THE FISH DISEASES COMMISSION performs the roles of the Code and Standards Commissions (recommendations for the import and export) for aquatic animals and aquatic animal products.
WORKING GROUPS
Four Working Groups have been established to address specific needs of the OIE. Currently these are: Biotechnology, Informatics and Epidemiology, Veterinary Drug Registration, and Wildlife Diseases.
FISH DISEASES COMMISSION
In 1960, the OIE established a three-member Specialist Commission to deal specifically with the increase in international trade as aquaculture expanded world-wide. In 1988, the Fish Diseases Commission was enlarged to five members and asked to include diseases and pathogens of molluscs and crustaceans. International experts are asked to assist the Fish Diseases Commission, either by attending meetings as invited specialists in fish, mollusc and crustacean pathology or by providing Reference Laboratory services to diagnostic facilities in Member Countries.
OIE APPROACH TO HEALTH CONTROL IN AQUATIC ANIMALS
The OIE approach to animal health control in aquaculture involves recommendations to Member Countries to apply the following measures as outlined in the International Aquatic Animal Health Code:
- Assessment of the health status of aquatic animals in a production site, geographical area, or entire country based upon sampling procedures and laboratory examinations conducted in accordance with the OIE International Aquatic Animal Health Code and Diagnostic Manual for Aquatic Animal Diseases.
- Establishment of specific pathogen-free aquaculture establishments/zones/countries and a requirement to stock open waters and facilities only with products having a health status higher than or equal to that of the aquaculture establishments/zones/countries concerned.
- Eradication of disease when possible by slaughtering infected stock, disinfection and restocking with pathogen free animals.
- Notification by each Member Country of its requirements, in addition to those provided by the Code, for the importation of aquatic animals and products thereof.
If the above procedures are used, it is possible to define the health status of aquaculture products for specified pathogens, according to the country, zone or production site of origin. The health status of the product can thus be warranted by the issuance of an official health certificate, stating that the aquaculture products in a defined consignment originate from a country, zone, or farm/harvesting site free of specified diseases.
Both the International Aquatic Animal Health Code and Diagnostic Manual for Aquatic Animal Diseases are updated regularly. Member Countries may propose changes through their Chief Veterinary Officers who communicate directly with OIE. The proposed changes are examined by the Fish Diseases Commission and draft recommendations are prepared for consideration by Member Countries at the annual General Session.
Information on fish, mollusc and crustacean pathogens and diseases forms part of the annual report of the Fish Diseases Commission. Data are presented on the epidemiological features relevant to viruses, bacteria and/or parasites listed, as well as those not listed in the Code; the efficacy, failures or improvements of control methods and policies, in addition to research developments. Modifications and evolution of diagnostic methods are also described.
OIE INTERNATIONAL AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH CODE LISTED PATHOGENS AND DISEASES
Pathogens are included in the International Aquatic Animal Health Code according to considerations of : geographic range, response to therapy and socio-economic importance.
NOTIFIABLE DISEASES
OTHER SIGNIFICANT DISEASES
FINFISH
Channel catfish virus disease
Viral encephalopathy
Viral retinopathy
Infectious pancreatic necrosis
Infectious salmon anemia
Epizootic ulcerative syndrome
Bacterial kidney disease
Enteric septicemia of catfish
Piscirickettsiosis
MOLLUSC
Oyster velar disease
CRUSTACEANS
Baculoviral midgut gland necrosis
Nuclear polyhedrosis baculovirosis
Infectious hypodermal necrosis
Infectious haematopoietic necrosis
Yellowhead disease
Crayfish plague
White spot disease
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