OIE Collaborating Centre on Epidemiology and Risk Assessment for Aquatic Animal Diseases (ERAAAD) Workshop for OIE National Focal Points for Aquatic Animals Dubrovnik, Croatia, 16 18 November 2010 Edgar Brun Atlantic Veterinary College University of Prince Edward Island PEI, Canada
Epidemiology and Risk Assessment for Aquatic Animal Diseases A partnership - approved May 2010 - between Edgar Brun Larry Hammell Atlantic Veterinary College (University of PEI) and National Veterinary Institute, Oslo Co Directors: Larry Hammell: Lhammell@upei.ca Edgar Brun: edgar.brun@vetinst.no
ERAAAD - First CC on aquatic epidemiology and risk assessment - Second CC within aquaculture - 1997: Collaborating Centre for Information on Aquatic Diseases, CEFAS Weymouth Laboratory - First trans-regional Collaborating Centre
WHY?
Some characteristics of aquaculture Extensive global trade in biological materials Need of understanding risk Risk = probability AND consequences Big populations complex production systems Exposed to (or is part of) open water eco-systems Increasing concern about diseases Many disease (health-) problems have unknown causes New diseases occur frequently Increasing economic impact on national/ regional economy Measures needs to be taken in advance and often on the basis of scarce knowledge
Epidemiology - Describe the occurrence of diseases (and other response variables) in a population, - who gets effected, how often, distribution in time and space, what factors drive the development, and how to intervene. - Population based approach -holoistic view - Advocates a multi-factorial causality principle - Evidence based health management
Multifactorial causality Host Environment Disease Agens
Risk assessment Risk assessment is a structured process designed to help decisionmakers answer the questions: What can go wrong? How likely is it to go wrong? What would be the consequences of its going wrong? What can be done to reduce either the likelihood or the consequences of its going wrong? in the face of probability and uncertainty While risk analysis strives for objectivity, analyses always contain elements of subjectivity. For this reason, transparency is essential. Risk = probability AND consequences
Risk assessment in veterinary medicine WTO involved, SPS- agreement (WTO 1994) Risk based management and surveillance Countries may introduce protection measures when proved necessary by help of risk assessment Processes should be transparent Regulations should be consistent Risk assessments should follow international guidelines
AVC and NVI have Established infrastructure to generate solutions for evidence based health management decisions in aquaculture Canadian core members from AVC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences (finfish) AVC Lobster Science Centre (crustacean) Shellfish Research Group (mollusc) British Columbia Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences (BC CAHS) Federal agency of Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Centre for Coastal Health (BC) Supplementary group of regional and federal aquatic health professionals (with population medicine expertise)
AVC and NVI have Established infrastructure to generate solutions for evidence based health management decisions in aquaculture Norwegian core National Veterinary Institute Norwegian School of Veterinary Science in a network of laboratories and scientists in epidemiology, risk assessment, diagnostics, management and aquatic health
ISAoutbreak
Does hydrodynamics help to explain disease dispersal? Two stages: 1. Develop a hydrodynamic model for the area (ROMS) 2. Integrate hydrodynamics into a model for PD dispersal
PD: Model for transmission dynamics within a cage Evaluate the effect of decreasing density of susceptible population Movement from susceptible to immuned population Reduce transmission probability Immunization could have a significant decrease in both numbers of new infections and mortality. Preventiopn of the epidemic would require more than 80% of population to be immuned.
Mandate given my OIE(1) operate as a centre of research, expertise, standardisation and dissemination of techniques; work to facilitate harmonisation of international regulations applicable to the surveillance and control of diseases; be at the disposal of the Office International des Epizooties;
Mandate given my OIE (2) provide scientific and technical training to personnel from Member Countries of the Office; organise scientific meetings on behalf of the Office; coordinate scientific and technical studies in collaboration with other laboratories or organisations; publish and disseminate any information in their sphere of competence which may be useful to Member Countries of the Office. OIE CC (Epidemiology and Risk Assessment for Aquatic Animal Diseases) ERAAAD
Management of ERAAAD (1) Institutional commitment to full engagement and inclusion of the other institution on research and training activities arising from the Collaborating Centre activities Formal agreement on governance Governed by a Board of Directors consisting of 3 representatives from each organization. The Board will meet at least twice per year
Management of ERAAAD (2) One person from the joint CC will be appointed contact point for the OIE. Annual rotation (later on longer terms?). Specific lead roles defined in application A single electronic address independent of the actual lead individual Web-based communication tools
What can the center provide Access to broad epidemiological competence Epidemiological support to OIE and MS on Procedures/ guidelines Harmonizing Ad-hoc groups Surveillance, Risk assessment Decision making Disease impact & economic analyses Diagnostic test evaluations Global network of epidemiologists
What can the center provide Training in epidemiology Post-graduates (Master, PhD) Courses, conferences, guest visits PVS Project cooperation Assistance within outbreak investigations Evidence-based health management Risk factor studies Research and more
Concept of cooperation Contact between CC and MS on specific topic Discussion guidance on approach, tools and design of study/investigation Establishing team and project Local field work initiated sampling, lab analysis, collection of epi -data,.. CC support in raining data analysis writing of report improved policy decision
Concept of global network of competence MC Graduate students MC Trained aquatic epidemiologists MC NVI ERAAAD AVC Epidemiology research project in host country Completes PhD epidemiology MC
Current projects planned Workshop on epidemiology/surveillance Annual Meeting of CRLs in May 2011. Survey on the implementation of Commission Decision 2008/392/EC and Council Directive 2006/88/EC: Aquaculture Biosecurity Conference, Trondheim Norway, Aug 2011 In cooperation with Iowa State University Project: EUS Zambezi River Basin - application to be submitted Dec/Jan (WTO) Provide training materials on biosecurity Partners incl OIE, FAO, Iowa State University
ERAAAD financing Each institution (and home country) of the CC is responsibility for funding of core CC activities, including shared costs of co-managing the Centre, with reside within each nation Other activities dependent on external funding Individual governmental funding Joint research project national research councils, EU Other international funding agencies
Summary The industry demonstrated global need for aquatic epidemiology expertise Epidemiology and Risk Assessment are essential tools for controlling disease and supporting transparent reliable trade ERAAAD objectives are to support development of epidemiological knowledge at all levels (gov, academic, vet, producer) solving health challenges by evidence-based investigations and epidemiologic techniques ERAAAD welcomes input on further collaborative projects
Atlantic Veterinary College University of Prince Edward Island PEI, Canada Epidemiology and Risk Assessment for Aquatic Animal Diseases (ERAAAD)
Thank you for your attention