Nearly all of Taiwan listed as foot-and-mouth disease-free

2017/06/02

The vast majority of Taiwan was officially recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) as foot-and-mouth disease-free at the 85th OIE General Session May 25 in Paris, according to the Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture.

The OIE recognizes two disease status categories for countries and territories in regards to being FMD-free—with and without the use of vaccinations. Taiwan proper and the outlying islands of Penghu and Matsu received the former designation, as routine vaccinations are currently used to guarantee the health of local animals prone to the disease.

According to the COA’s Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, Kinmen was not included due to two reported FMD cases there in mid-2015. In order to qualify as FMD-free, an area must have no cases for a minimum of two years.

OIE member nations that aim to be officially recognized as FMD-free submit a completed questionnaire, which is assessed by the organization’s Scientific Commission. Following its initial approval, the application is made available for review to all member countries before a resolution is adopted at the World Assembly of Delegates during the General Session that takes place each May.

Taiwan’s initial application submission in October 2015 was rejected due to concerns over exports from outlying Kinmen County to other areas of Taiwan. In August 2016, the bureau submitted additional evidence to prove Taiwan’s FMD controls were in compliance with OIE standards.

Taiwan is a member of the organization, and as such sent a COA delegation to attend this year’s OIE General Session as well as to receive a certificate recognizing the nation’s recent achievement. According to the council, the government will actively continue to strengthen Taiwan’s disease-prevention efforts as well as work toward achieving FMD-free without vaccinations status for Taiwan proper, Penghu and Matsu.

Also during the session, it was announced that the classical swine fever reference laboratory of the COA’s Animal Health Research Institute had been approved to become one of eight official OIE CSF reference laboratories in the world.

The AHRI laboratory has decades of experience in CSF research, the COA said, adding that no cases of CSF have been reported in Taiwan in over 10 years. The OIE approval of the laboratory highlights the country’s expertise in CSF prevention and research as well as recognition from the international community.

The nation experienced its first FMD case in 1997, according to the BAPHIQ. After implementing vaccination efforts, Taiwan was recognized as FMD-free with the use of vaccinations in 2003 by the OIE.

In 2009, FMD returned and the disease-free status was suspended. Currently, over 90 percent of even-toed cloven-hoofed animals are vaccinated, with over 80 percent of that number effectively immunized, according to the bureau.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=15&post=116102)