Dr. Alejandro Schudel Fundación PROSAIA Argentina 17 th IMS World Meat Congress Cape Town, South Africa, 7-10 September 2008
The international scene. Hazards and opportunities: New challenges Past years history and lessons learned A continuing demand. An opportunity How to position? From Animal Health to Food Safety
Occurring during the last 25 years. Spread of animal infectious diseases and global occurrence. New disease and increase in the mortality and morbidity. Change from the XIX century! Re-emergence of some zoonoses Antimicrobial resistance. 75 % of the emerging animal diseases are zoonotic! Human factors associated to the emergence!
Biological and genetic Environmental Microbial Social, economical and political Human Ecological Convergence Model (Microbial Threats to Health IOM/NAS, 2003)
Adaptation and Microbial genetic changes. Host susceptibility to infection. Climate changes. Ecosystem changes. Economical development and land use. Population density and cultural changes. Technology and Industrialization.
Tourism and International Trade Lack of Public Health control Poverty and inequity War Lack of political will Intentional harm
Increase of the global demand for proteins of animal origin Occidentalization of Asia and Latin America Concern on sustainability Increase on the emergency of animal diseases (zoonoses) due to the increasing concentration of animals and humans
Increase in the occurrence of endemic diseases Increase on the appearance of emergent diseases (zoonotic) Antimicrobial resistance Recognition of new animal diseases Intentional use of biological agents
1993 - Hendra Virus (Aus) 1994 - Plague (India) Ebola Virus (Zaire) 1996 - New Variant CJD (UK) AI H 5 N 1 Influenza (Hong Kong) 1998/08-Nipah Virus (Malaysia. Bengaladesh) 1999/06 - West Nile Virus (USA, Argentina) 2001 - Antrax (USA) 2002 - Norwalk Virus (Scot) 2003 - SARS (SEA, Canadá) 2004 - AI H5N1 (SEA) Rabies (Georgia) 2005/8- AI H5N1 (Asia, Europa and África) 2000/8 -Rift Valey Fever (Egypt, Kenya, Madagascar)
BSE emergence in the UK, Europe, Asia and America (1986-??) Re-emergence of FMD in Asia, Africa, Europe and America (2001-?? ) HPAI (H5N1) in Asia, Europe and Africa (2004-?? )
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) 1986, detection in the UK (more that 5 million cattle destroyed) 1996, BSE/vCJD association. Public Health and consumer involvement. 2005-??, 24 countries affected in Europe, Asia and America. Lessons learned: Need to prioritize food safety Consumer role. Need for proper communication and with sound scientific bases. Public concern about animal production/food safety Impact of the emergence, exceeds the animal production area. Rich and poor countries affected on its international trade.
1990, emergence of FMD virus O1 PanAsia in India 2001, fast spread of the epidemic to Japan, Korea, Mongolia, UK, Ireland, France and The Nederlands. 2001-02 Stamping out of more than 4 million animals in the UK. Lessons learned: Economical damage for the UK >13 billon Pounds. Impact exceeded the animal production area (eg. Tourism!!) Consumer and general public concern about animal health and production Animal welfare regulations Acceptance for more appropriate control measures (vaccination). Rich and poor countries affected. International Trade compromised.
2004, Detection of HPAI (H5N1) in SEA 2005-??, Fast expansion of the epidemic out of the SEA region (KDR, Russia, Mongolia, Kazajstan, and later to Europe and Africa)) Estimated losses in the first year, 8-12 billon US. Lessons learned: Need for adequate Veterinary Services (early detection and quick response.) Need for a better interaction among the Veterinary Services and Public Health. Fast spread of the epidemic at national, regional and global level. Changes on the animal production systems. (Biosecurity) International trade of animal products (avian) severely affected.
What is next at international level? Critical and transparent evaluation of the Veterinary Services. Quality of the certification. Import audits. Conflicts and mediation (OIE).
What to do? Strengthening of the Veterinary Services (early detection, fast response, prevention and quality certification). Full incorporation of the concept of food safety to the animal production/ industrialization chain. More participation of the private sector (farmers, industry, consumers) on animal health, production and food safety issues at national, regional and international level More interaction among the Veterinary Services and Public Health at national, regional and international level. Constant alert on the animal health situation worldwide,
80% of the animal pathogens have more than one host. 75% of the emerging diseases have of zoonotic characteristics. 60% of the human pathogens are of zoonotic nature. Several animal infectious diseases and zoonoses well known from the XIX century have increased their presence. Well known animal pathogens, as FMD/AI/HC, are still widespread in different continents. Several new animal pathogens of zoonotic nature, have been recognized during the last 20 years. 80% of the pathogens with potential use as biological weapons, have a zoonotic nature.
What is needed? Veterinary Services with a solid and well reputed international recogition. Collaboration and interdependence among Veterinary Services and Public Health in order to address the issue of food safety. Increased role of the private sector at national, regional and international level.
alejandro.schudel@gmail.com