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This presentation provides an update on the status of animal diseases and disease management in South Africa, discussing the risks and challenges faced by veterinary services. It also highlights the key observations and recommendations from the OIE on the PVS evaluation.
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BRIEFING ON THE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL STATUS OF ANIMAL DISEASES – ANIMAL DISEASE SITUATION REPORT AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES 30 OCTOBER 2013 Presentation by KCM MANNYA & DR BM MODISANE
PURPOSE To report to the Portfolio Committee on the status of Animal Diseases and disease management in the country To update the committee on the status of South Africa’s application for FMD Freedom to the OIE South Africa has credible Veterinary services but which is at risk of decline unless care is exercised to address governance and resourcing of service provision.
Veterinary Services Introduction Disease control is identified as a functional area of concurrent national and provincial legislative competence in Schedule 4 (Part A) of the Constitution. The risks that exists provinces choose a different configuration and arrangement for providing veterinary services which may weaken the chain of command and therefore biosecurity. The concurrency has led to disease control measures being implemented by the Provinces, and DAFF setting norms and standards sometimes with inadequate alignment. This has proven to be a major challenge due to lack of uniformity in resources, capacity and understanding; compounded by the fact that diseases do not respect borders and control measures should be applied consistently. Enforcing disease control measures requires partnerships across the spectrum by all stakeholders
Veterinary Services Introduction Key observations by OIE on the PVS evaluation The Veterinary Services (VS) of South Africa is still generally of a very high standard but there are certainly dangers of possible rapid decline. The “bright future” requires restoration of the chain of command with unity of the different veterinary domains and the development of a comprehensive VS system including official delegation to private veterinarians. It will be necessary to develop improved interaction with all stakeholders and consumers, with priority given to addressing public good. The “rapid decline” may result from continued fragmentation of the VS by local authorities or by function or activities will be market-driven by private interests and double standards will persist in animal and veterinary public health, and there will be a failure to address public good.
Veterinary Services Introduction Key observations by OIE on the PVS evaluation Some positive thing about VS in South Africa Good laboratory network Financial resources could be made available when necessary Internal and external quality of legislation and regulations is satisfactory. International certification and transparency should be improved by increasing the number of field veterinarians Communication with interested parties is well supported Official representation of the VS in OIE and other international institutions is regular
Veterinary Services Introduction Key observations by OIE on the PVS evaluation Some weaknesses about VS in South Africa There are not enough dedicated legal staff to update regulations regularly. No dedicated risk analysis unit. Lack in technical independence particularly at abattoirs The registration, audit and on-sight inspection of facilities producing for the local market No individual animal identification Although veterinary staff are well trained their frequency of contact with farms and animals is not adequate and will limit the capacity of the VS to certify products or activities
Veterinary Services Introduction There has been a backlog in the recapitalization of veterinary facilities –clinics, laboratories, vaccine production, drug production. Recapitalization has started with OBP, OVI and Mobile veterinary clinics. Veterinary staff remains a scarce skill in the country due to limited capacity in the training institutions and easy mobility to commonwealth countries. Discussions with Training institutions is yielding fruit to increase intake. Retention of staff in government is not adequate. Discussion on the Occupation specific dispensation (OSD) for Vets with Dept of Public Service and Administration is at an early stages. There is a need to strengthen the partnership with industry to find joint solution for disease control measures. Harmonization and Review of the Veterinary services system country wide will include – Government agencies, Industry, and OIE. Review and development of improved animal disease control measures will include – Strategy development, Legislative review, Human Resource development, Resource mobilization , institutional development, Delivery systems and partnerships. Implement the recommendations of the PVS evaluation
Recommendations: To establish clear strategy, policy and supportive measures to develop a more comprehensive network of veterinarians in the field with regular contact with farms and animals to improve the reporting To restore the national chain of command for all aspects of the VS To provide adequate resources To appoint staff dedicated to risk analysis at central and provincial levels
Recommendations: To improve technical independence To develop specific communication tools to target all categories of interested parties To develop joint programmes for important diseases
Recommendations It is recommended that the committee: Notes the status of animal diseases in the country. Supports the efforts of the Department to improve animal disease controls in the country by helping to address the identified deficiencies
DISEASES: Foot and mouth disease (FMD): Mpumalanga Mpumalanga FMD outbreak (previous): The following outbreaks were reported in the Protection Zone, which is part of the FMD controlled area: - January 2012 to July 2012 in Nsikazi - April 2012 to July 2012 in Bushbuckridge Mpumalanga FMD outbreak (current): Six positive locations were detected in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga; in the FMD protection zone, which is part of the FMD controlled area. These locations are: Gottenburg; Hlalakhane; Seville A; Seville B; Timbavati; and Thlavekisa
Foot and mouth disease (FMD): Limpopo Four positive locations were detected in Greater Giyani, Limpopo; in the FMD protection zone, which is part of the FMD controlled area. Only local spread has occurred in: Makuhuva; Selwane B; Khenyi; and Mushiyani.
World Animal Health Organization (OIE) Application A revised dossier was submitted to the OIE in September 2013 for their re-evaluation, this dossier included all information which the OIE indicated was missing or not clear in the previous dossier. The OIE, and other trade partners, have moved away from the principle of movement control using physical barriers, but demand auditable records of number, identification and location of animals.
Avian Influenza The last High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) case was slaughtered out in June and the outbreak of HPAI reported closed with the OIE; New positive farms are still being identified but all current outbreaks are classified as being caused by Low Pathogenic Avian influenza strains. These outbreaks were in: - Western Cape: 8 Farms; - Eastern Cape: 1 farm; - Free State: 2 farms; and - Gauteng: 1 premises (a bird park with wild and exotic birds)
Rabies Rabies remains a problem in most provinces with underreporting masking the severity in some provinces; Free State Province and Limpopo Province have reported an increased number of outbreaks; and The continuous, intensive/vigilant control campaigns ran by the KZN Provincial Veterinary Services proved to be highly successful and a sharp decline of outbreaks has been observed.
Swine Influenza Swine Influenza has never been detected in South Africa as confirmed by the national pig survey conducted in 2009. The 2013 National Pig Survey is underway and some positive serology has been detected. Further investigations to determine the type is still underway but preliminary analysis indicates that human influenza strains might be the cause of the positive reactions. Human Influenza strains may be temporarily introduced to pigs but disappear when the human flu season comes to an end without any effect on pigs.
FVO Mission The objective: to verify that the control systems for live equidae are functioning in a manner compatible with the EU requirements for their import, and assess the adequacy of guarantees given by the competent authorities (CA) in this regard.
FVO Mission (Cont) Findings: The rules for movement of equidae, are in force, largely in line with EU provisions; The measures taken following the outbreak of African horse sickness in the surveillance zone in 2011 do not allow to reasonably conclude that virus is absent from this zone; The surveillance implemented actually suggest otherwise; The extensive vaccination of equidae in this zone compromises its status as “surveillance zone” The surveillance is further affected by the unclear organisation of the laboratory network, and the significant shortcomings observed in the national laboratory; Weaknesses in resources and organisation of the Competent Authorities represent a further impediment to an effective delivery of the programme; The system for export of horses to the EU is well organised, but the current test and its interpretation do not preclude the risk of presence of virus.
FVO Mission (Cont) Recommendations: To review the organisation of the competent authority, in order to have a clear designation of roles and responsibilities for the AHS control programme and ensure that sufficient staff is provided for its effective application. To clarify and ensure that the competent authority have adequate legal powers to enforce the rules related to the AHS control programme. To review the organisation and capacity of the laboratory network, in order to ensure consistent and reliable diagnosis capacity; to clarify the diagnostic procedures; to validate the tests used in the local context. To organise a monthly sero-epidemiological monitoring programme for AHS, at least meeting the conditions set out in Annex I to Council Decision 2008/698/EC, and following the recommendations of Article 12.1.15 of the OIE Code. To develop and implement a contingency plan following outbreaks in the control area, in order to demonstrate the absence of virus following the implementation of control measures
FVO Mission (Cont) …. Recommendations: To develop and apply validated procedures ensuring that no horse will be certified if an increase of antibody level is observed between the first and second samples for AHS and equine encephalosis. To ensure that the risk control measures applied in the rules for import of equidaefrom third countries are consistently applied. To adopt adequate measures in order to ensure the absence of dourine from the territory of dispatch
Ovine Johne’s Disease Gudair vaccine may only be used on infected farms. Therefore, all farms where farmers had purchased and used the vaccine are regarded as being infected with OJD. The table on the next slide gives a summary of the districts, as well as the number of farms per district, where vaccine had been purchased between 1 July 2006 and 31 July 2013.
Conclusion South Africa has largely a good capable system that requires harmonization and strengthening. The impact on animal production and trade in animals and animal products is severely hampered by disease presence and inadequate controls. Prevention of diseases, their early detection and effective control measures form the basis of effective and efficient production systems. This is negatively affected by the current veterinary services structures. Holistic review of the animal disease control system will be completed by May 2014. Costing and revised budget submission for MTEF, Enabling legislation review proposals will be submitted in 2014/15 in addition to existing. Partnership with Industry that has started will be increased to ensure strong collaboration. The Portfolio Committee is requested to note and support the review of the Veterinary system and animal disease control measures.
