Global initiative to control African swine fever

During the 87th General Session of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), held 26-31 May 2019, a report on the global African swine fever (ASF) situation was presented to the Assembly. Throughout the second semester of 2018, 25 countries across Europe, Africa and Asia informed the OIE of outbreaks of African swine fever on their territory.

Given the gravity of the situation with no vaccine against the disease, and following the request of its Member Countries, the OIE has launched a global initiative for the control of ASF. It will use the GF-TADs (Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases) mechanism to develop, improve and harmonise partnerships and coordination at national, regional and international levels. The objective is to control the disease, strengthen countries’ prevention and preparation efforts, and minimise the adverse effects on animal health, animal welfare and international trade.

Launched in 2004 by the OIE and FAO, GF-TADs aims to prevent, detect and control transboundary animal diseases, taking into account their regional dimensions. In Europe, regional groups of ASF experts have been in existence under the umbrella of this platform since 2014, and groups have recently been set up in Asia and the Americas.

In the upcoming months, the OIE will establish a work programme in collaboration with FAO, taking into consideration the regional initiatives that already exist.

[SOURCE: OIE]