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Dr. B. Vallat Director General World Organization for Animal Health 12 rue de prony 75017 Paris b.vallat@oie.int

Application to accept Iraq as a historically free from Rinderpest

Dear Dr. Vallate Iraq has been free from Rinderpest since 1996, a large-scale annual vaccination campaigns for all susceptible animals were conducted from 1985 until 2003, where the Veterinary Authorities took the decision to cease vaccination against the disease, the local vaccines producer company Al- Kindi co. for production of veterinary vaccines and drugs was requested to halt all production of Rinderpest vaccine and hold no stocks at this time. Rinderpest serosurveillance undertaken in from 2006 to 2008 indicated the absence of sub-clinical Rinderpest. I’m report the demonstration of the ability of our diseases monitoring and surveillance program to prove that any Rinderpest is absent and any incursion could be detected by the Veterinary Services of Iraq I would request to examine the contents of the dossier with a view to placing the Iraq on the list of countries deemed free from Rinderpest infection. The Iraqi State Company for Veterinary Services extends you its warmest greeting. Kindly Regards

Dr. Sabah J. Mozane Director General of State Company for Veterinary Services Ministry of Agriculture Baghdad - Iraq

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Republic of Iraq Ministry of Agriculture

State Company for Veterinary Services

A dossier to support the national application

to OIE for Recognition as a country

Free from Rinderpest Infection

JANUARY 2009

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List of abbreviations: DG: Director General DSC: Departmental crisis staff FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations GREP: Global Rinderpest Eradication Programme. NCCM: National Committee for Crisis Management NC- TADs: National Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases OIE: World Organization for Animal Health RCC: Regional crisis centres RVMC: Regional Veterinary Major Clinic. SCVS: State Company for Veterinary Services VMC : Veterinary Major Clinic

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1. Introduction 1.1. Geographical factors. Iraq is a Middle Eastern country situated at the cross roads of international transportation and trade between the three continents, Europe, Asia and Africa. Iraq is located around 33 degrees North and 44 degrees East. The country is bordered by Turkey to the North, Iran to the East, Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to the South, Syria and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (HKJ) to the West. The land boundaries total 3650 km. The country has a 58 km coastline on the Arabian Gulf near Basrah in the South of the country. Map of Iraq showing topography and borders.

The area of Iraq is 437,072 km2. The country is crossed by the rivers Tigris and Euphrates draining from highlands in Turkey and Syria respectively, and running from North to South throughout the country. There are several physically different zones. The West and Southwest are largely sandy desert plains (Anbar, Muthannā, Najaf governorate) with mild to cool cloudy winters and dry hot dusty summers. The East is dry but hilly and mountainous towards the border with Iran. The northern region is mountainous along the Iranian and Turkish border and experiences cold winters with occasionally heavy snow that melts in early spring sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq. The South of Iraq is fertile land containing extensive marshes in and around the deltas of the two rivers (Nassriyah, Missan and Basrah governorates). Rainfall is below 300 mm per annum in the North and considerably less in the centre and South of Iraq. Temperatures range from more than 500 C in summer to below 00 C in winter. Most of the country's centres of population are close to and dependent upon the rivers which also provide continuous irrigation for farming along their courses facilitating crop and fodder production that supports livestock farming. Neighbouring countries that have epidemiological significance for Iraq are Turkey, Syria, KSA and Iran because of significant seasonal movement of pastoral livestock, especially sheep, between these countries. The country is divided into eighteen main administrative units, or “Governorates (Provinces)” Three of the northern governorates, Sulaimaniyah, Erbil and Dohuk, have historically operated under a degree of autonomy and are referred to in this dossier as the “Kurdish Region”.

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Map of Iraq showing the Governorates (provinces)

1.2. Livestock industry. 1.2.1 Statistics The estimated livestock populations for Iraq in 2006 are as follows:

Cattle* Buffaloes* Sheep* Goat* Camels*

1385256 148577 19493789 639187 9048 * A new livestock estimation will be carried out in this year. 1.2.2. Production system Traditional livestock rearing in Iraq depends mainly on grazing pastures within or close to the defined borders of towns and villages. Most cattle are kept as small contained dairy herds living in the villages and towns or their environs. They are have little or restricted movement outside the village and are fed though limited local grazing supplemented with seasonal crop residues Replacements are mainly provided by breeding from within the village or neighbourhood, and there is sale of culled and excess animals to markets and directly to slaughter. A number of much larger commercial dairy “stations” with several thousand animals have become less active due to the current situation in Iraq. Most of these animals are Friesian or Holstein breeds, and due to inbreeding are now reaching uneconomical levels of production. Buffaloes have a more localised distribution than cattle, because of their requirements for water, and predominantly are found in the southern marshes near Iran (Basrah, Nassriyah and Missan governorates), near the two main rivers in the centre of the country (Babel and Baghdad governorates), and in Nineveh governorate in the North. They are kept in the villages and towns close to water. There is little or no legal movement between the governorates or across international borders, and very limited illegal movement.

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Graph showing the cattle and buffalo population size in the different governorates (Provinces) of Iraq

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

140000

160000

180000

200000Cattle and Buffaloes Population in Iraq

Cattle

Buffaloes

Sheep have a wider distribution in the country than cattle and buffaloes. They are kept under semi-closed conditions in the riverine villages and towns and grazed on local pastures, similar to village cattle and buffaloes, with little movement outside the village or governorate. In the drier western governorates however, there is much less water and grazing and many flocks are kept under semi or fully nomadic systems. In these governorates, Nineveh, Anbar, Salah Aldine, Muthannā and Najaf, the sheep flocks range over much larger areas in search of grazing and move between governorates and across international boundaries with KSA, Jordan and Syria. 1.2.3. Livestock marketing. Although the country is not fully self-sufficient in animal products the Ministry of Agriculture has banned the importation of livestock since the 1985 outbreak of Rinderpest. The shortfall in requirements has been made up recently by the importation of red meat and poultry meat from a number of sources including India, Jordan and Brazil as follows: 2005, 19510 tons; 2006, 24203 tons, 2007, 22616 tons. There is strong inspection of imported products at veterinary quarantines scattered along Iraqi border entry points (19 point), following OIE international animal health code guide lines.

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2. The veterinary system in Iraq. 2.1. Veterinary services in Iraq; The Veterinary Administration and Authority of Iraq is the Ministry of Agriculture. The Deputy Minister of Animal Wealth is responsible, amongst other directorates, for the State Company for Veterinary Services (SCVS). The Director General of SCVS is the “Chief Veterinary Officer” and represents Iraq at the OIE and he is the chief of Iraqi National Team for management Transboundary Animal Disease. The SCVS have number of departments include: - Animal Health - Epidemiology - Planning and Implementation - Media information and veterinary gaudiness - Quarantines - Storage and supplements - Meat inspection - Quality control - National project for brucellosis and tuberculosis control - Public health and food safety laboratory - National Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (NC-TADs) laboratory. - Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (CVDL) .This laboratory had several units such as:

- Serology - Microbiology (Bacteriology, Mycoplasma and Virology) - Parasitology - Histopathology - Poultry and fish disease - Veterinary Insect

Samples submitted to Public health and food safety laboratory were including meats and meats products, poultry, milk and milk products, eggs, animal feed .Which were imported or collected from market and farms. The following explained the activities of last three years.

Year Total Number of Samples

Major Isolates % Isolates

2006 249 • Salmonella • Listeria • EC O 157:H7 • Unacceptable Samples for Iraqi Standardization

15 2 1 49

2007 454 • Salmonella • Listeria • Unacceptable Samples for Iraqi Standardization

15 2 45

2008 664 • Salmonella • Listeria • Unacceptable Samples for Iraqi Standardization

24 2 38

All of which play complementary roles in routine and emergency disease reporting, disease surveillance and diagnosis, and would be involved in the control of any outbreaks of Rinderpest. In addition the SCVS has a network of major clinic “hospitals” (15) in every governorate, other than the Kurdish Region, with subsidiary clinics (approximately 250), that are the main institutional part of the disease reporting, investigation and control structure and would play a key role in the detection and control of Rinderpest. When required, the SCVS recruits national consultant expertise from retired personnel, universities and other sources. The Transboundary Animal Disease laboratory (TADs) is able to diagnose and assist the control of any outbreaks of Rinderpest as well as support all surveillance work for this disease with other transboundary animal disease. The Kurdish Region has its own Ministry of Agriculture and General Directorate of Animal Resources and Veterinary Services. The Directorate has a network of major clinics “hospitals” (3) with subsidiary clinics (approximately 90) and similar to the rest of Iraq and a CVDL with competence in virology and serology for Rinderpest.

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The General Director of Animal Resources and Veterinary Services in Kurdish region is deputy of the chief of the Iraqi National Team for Management and Control of Transboundary Animal Disease and he is responsible for reporting any abnormal events occurred in animal health situation including particularly Transboundary Animal Diseases. One of the acts of the Iraqi National Team for Management and Control of Transboundary Animal Disease is cared out a national survey for TADs disease for all parts of Iraq including Kurdish Region. Private veterinary services are widely distributed throughout Iraq where there are livestock. These comprise clinics and laboratories as well as veterinary pharmacies and equipment distributors. The private services interact closely with government services in matters relating to notifiable diseases and would play a major role in the reporting of any possible outbreaks of Rinderpest to the veterinary authority. Structure of Veterinary services.

Ministry of Agriculture

Minister &  Minister Deputy

State Company for Veterinary Services 

Director General

Animal health  Planning and Implementation EpidemiologyMedia Information 

Quarantine Storage and Supplements Meat Inspection  Quality Control

Brucellosis and TB Project Public Health and Food Safety lab.NC‐TADs laboratory

Central Veterinary Diagnosis laboratory Lab. Veterinary Major Clinic (Hospital)

Serology, Microbiology, Parasitology, 

Histopathology, Poultry and fish diseases, Veterinary 

Insect  

18 VMC in all Iraq (3 in Kurdistan region) with 340 subsidiary clinics (90 in Kurdistan Region)

2.2. Legislation supporting the SCVS in the control of notifiable diseases: (Scan copy of the Law 68 and 105 are in the annex 2) Law No 68 1936 Concerning animal quarantine and animal product import and export (Trade) regulations. Law No 37 1937 As above Instructions S6 1982 As above Law No 61 1985 As above Law No 105 1989 Regulations governing the slaughter of livestock and inspection of slaughter houses. These regulations include provision to compel:

Notification of suspected cases of notifiable diseases The collection of specimens for laboratory confirmation Protective vaccination Slaughter of infected and in-contact animals Restriction and control of livestock movement Quarantine and control of the movement of livestock products Payment of compensation to farmers

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2.3. Role of farmers

According to the veterinary legislation all farmers, livestock owners irrespective of forms of property, the population, ministries and departments of all levels must render any gratis aid to the veterinary service in combating any infections, including Rinderpest. The population and livestock farmer of the country is permanently informed about dangerous contagious diseases, including Rinderpest. 2.4. Role of private veterinary profession in Rinderpest surveillance and control Recognition and reporting of notifiable diseases relies upon observation of clinical signs by farmers, government field staff, abattoir workers, and private veterinarians. All veterinarians are obliged to report notifiable diseases to the authorities. Reports are submitted to the governorate major veterinary clinics (hospitals) either through veterinary clinics or directly. Routine monthly reports of diseases confirmed by each governorate major veterinary clinic (hospital) and by laboratories (Baghdad, Erbil) and other departments are sent to the Departments of Animal Health in the SCVS in Baghdad and Erbil. Transboundary Animal Disease (TADs) Centre with its Laboratory was established in September 2008 which responsible for management and controlling of Transboundary Animal Disease in Iraq. 3. Rinderpest eradication 3.1. The history of Rinderpest in Iraq 1918 The first outbreak of Rinderpest in Iraq occurred following importation of Indian buffaloes by the British army. The disease was controlled by movement restrictions and Slaughter, and eradicated in 1923. During this period the present Iraq veterinary service including its current headquarters was established in Baghdad. Rinderpest was not present in the country from that time until 1985. 1973 Production of tissue culture Kabete-O Rinderpest vaccine started in Abu-Graib (Al- Kindi co. for production of veterinary vaccines and drugs) laboratory in Baghdad, for export. It was not used in Iraq at this time or in the early1980s when Rinderpest affected several neighboring countries. 1985 In March, Indian buffaloes illegally entered the South of Iraq without any quarantine measures. Because indigenous animals in the border zone had not been vaccinated against Rinderpest they were fully susceptible. The disease appeared in Iraqi buffaloes and cattle soon after the illegal entry of Indian buffaloes, and then spread rapidly throughout the national cattle and buffalo populations. 1985 Iraq was obliged to use mass vaccination of cattle and buffaloes against Rinderpest for the first time, using locally produced vaccine. Slaughter of clinically affected animals was also carried out during the first few months of the outbreak. 1985-1991 The vaccination campaign brought about a reduction in the incidence of new outbreaks but the disease was not eliminated. Sporadic outbreaks and minor epidemics of Rinderpest persisted throughout Iraq despite mass vaccination. 1991 - 1994 in 1989 the FAO West Asia Rinderpest Eradication Campaign (WAREC) had started and had established its headquarters in Baghdad. The national WAREC program for Iraq began in 1991 with a general survey for Rinderpest. The survey searched for clinical disease and was supported by serology, virus isolation and antigen detection. It found that Rinderpest was still prevalent and widespread, and concluded that improved mass vaccination should continue against the disease. This was done until 1994. 1994 The improved levels of vaccination brought about a significant decrease in new outbreaks and the last case of Rinderpest in central and southern Iraq was reported at the end of this year (but not notified to OIE). In the Kurdish Region, however, cases of the disease continued. 1995 Research in Iraq had indicated that the optimum earliest age to vaccinate newly born calves under local conditions was 4.5 months. In view of the success of the mass vaccination program in central and southern Iraq it was decided to restrict vaccination there to annual inoculation of all unvaccinated animals over 4.5 months old. 1996 The last case of Rinderpest was recorded in Iraq, at Erbil in the Kurdish Region. 1997 The veterinary authorities in the Kurdish Region decided, on advice from FAO, to stop all vaccination against the disease. 1998-1999 On the advice of FAO Rinderpest sero-surveillance was carried out in the Kurdish Region of Iraq only. Approximately 10% of the total samples were positive, with 46% of the 300 villages that were sampled having one or more positive animal. These positive results were considered by national staff and FAO GREP to be due to the inclusion of older vaccinated animals in the sample. 1999 – 2003 Vaccination of buffalo and cattle calves over 4.5 months old continued in central and southern Iraq. 2003 In March, since there had been no evidence of any cases of Rinderpest anywhere in Iraq since 1996, it was decided to stop vaccination throughout the country. This decision coincided with the start of the second Gulf War which prevented routine field activities. Vaccine production also ceased when the war destroyed Iraq's veterinary vaccine laboratory at Abu Ghraib (Al- Kindi co. for production of veterinary vaccines and drugs). 2005-2006 A Rinderpest sero-surveys were carried out in central and southern Iraq. The sero-surveys results showed 21% of antibody positive animals (25 villages), which was attributed to sampling older animals that had been vaccinated. 2006 April Iraq declared provisional freedom from Rinderpest to OIE.

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3.2. Present strategy against Rinderpest in Iraq. There have been no cases of Rinderpest since 1996, vaccination for Rinderpest stopped in 2003, there is no disease in immediately neighboring countries, and Iraq does not import significant numbers of live animals. Consequently Iraq considers itself free of Rinderpest, and of little risk currently of infection from neighboring countries. The country's chosen strategy for Rinderpest is to prove the absence of the disease from the national livestock population. To support the process of proving freedom from Rinderpest Iraq has carried out various disease surveillance procedures which have failed to indicate the presence of the disease in the country. 3.3. Vaccines and vaccination The first outbreak of Rinderpest in Iraq occurred in 1918. The disease controlled by movement restriction and slaughtering and disease eradicated in 1923, Local production of Rinderpest vaccine started in 1973 in Al-Kindi Company for Production of Veterinary Vaccines and Drugs in Baghdad. In March 1985 the disease appeared in Iraqi buffaloes and cattle soon after the illegal entry of Indian buffaloes, Iraq was able to control the disease by using mass vaccination of buffaloes and cattle against Rinderpest and slaughtering the infected animals. To maintain our defence against this disease a large-scale annual vaccination campaigns for all susceptible animals were conducted from 1985 until 2003, where the veterinary Authorities took the decision to cease vaccination against the diseases, the local company AL- Kindi was requested to halt all production of Rinderpest vaccine and hold no stocks at this time. Iraq has been free from Rinderpest since 1996 (no clinical disease has been detected). The last vaccination campaign was carried out in 2003.

Annual numbers of Rinderpest vaccinations administered in central and southern of Iraq in the five years before vaccination stopped in 2003.

Year Number of vaccinations ( Cattle &

Buffaloes) 1999 228482 2000 830001 2001 791306 2002 866150 2003 152806

3.4. Legislation From 1989-1994, when FAO/UNDP establish WAREC (West Asia Rinderpest Eradication Campaign) and set the HQ of it in Baghdad-Iraq, for conducting Rinderpest controlling strategies and eradication programmes in the region .Iraqi veterinary authorities (The State Company for Veterinary Services) was joined the laboratory facility and specialist under its authority after 1994 (the time over of the WAREC program) and start to continue the WAREC program for Iraq only. For that reason the SCVS establish a new laboratory (Rinderpest Laboratory), the responsibility of this specific laboratory was to managing the vaccine campaign for Rinderpest and PPR with diagnosis of suspected cases to both diseases. In 2005 the Rinderpest laboratory responsibility was pass to the central veterinary diagnostic laboratory – serological suction, the responsibility of this section was to make a serological diagnosis to all livestock diseases and not for Rinderpest only. In 9/2008 – and according to requirements of FAO/OIE in controlling transboundary animal diseases in which Rinderpest is one of the TADs list, the SCVS was establish a more specific center and laboratory for TADs. The act of SCVS in managing the control of contagious list A OIE disease is depend on law No.68 – 1936 and law No.37 – 1937 and their annexes . 3.5. Animal identification and movement control. The veterinary services in Iraq are under the control of the State Company for Veterinary Services (SCVS) which it is Iraqi official representation to the OIE. The (SCVS) is part of the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture. The quarantine system of Iraq is managed by the quarantine department of the SCVS. Iraq ceased the legal importation of live cattle and buffaloes for meat or livestock production after the 1985 outbreak of Rinderpest. Red meat and other animal products are controlled through 19 (including Kurdish Region) permanent border points. The only recent legal introduction of cattle was the importation of 30 breeding bulls from Australia in 2006 (results of Rinderpest c-ELISA test in the table):

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Results of Rinderpest c-ELISA test of breeding Australian bulls

Number of Bulls

Imported Date to Iraq Number of Samples Results

30 2006 5 0/5 Note: These bulls were housed in Abu - Graib region (Baghdad), this area was heavily infected with the 1st outbreak of Rinderpest in Iraq 1985. 4. Rinderpest diagnosis 4.1. Rinderpest laboratory diagnosis The Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (CVDL) in Baghdad and Erbil received samples for diagnosis of enteritis-stomatitis syndrome (which it was not responds to medicinally treatments) from different governorates over the past three years ago (2006, 2007, and 2008), the samples analysed and the results shown below: Table shown the analysed sample for the diagnosis of cases have stomatitis syndrome submitted to CVDL, Baghdad, and Erbil

AGID, c-ELISA and VNT for Rinderpest was not performs as it was carried out jointly with the 2006 national Rinderpest sero- surveillance. Only 25 villages were Positive using c-ELISA Abs for Rinderpest. 4.2. Overview of the Rinderpest approved laboratories, in particular to address the following points:

4.2.1. Procedures for the official accreditation of laboratories: The official evaluation of Transboundary Animal Diseases laboratory was only from Iraqi veterinary colleges PhD professors specialists in Veterinary sciences and Microbiology (Virology), more over the specialist staff of this laboratory which they had worked in WAREC FAO/UNDP program in Iraq are still work in this laboratory.

Now we are working to develop the knowledge of our specialist and our equipments with cooperation of FAO, EU and Reference laboratory in Pirbright – UK and other scientific organization, especially in isolation and serotyping of FMD virus with other mucosal diseases viruses.

4.2.2. The participation in inter-laboratory validation tests (ring tests): Our TADs Laboratory staffs includes –MsC VMD and Virology in Rinderpest disease, MsC in Virology in FMD, MsC Veterinary epidemiology, well training BVM as co-operators in laboratory works, with a technical in biology. These staffs are under observation of a consultant of PhD professors from Bagdad Veterinary College.

4.2.3. Is live virus handled: No laboratory and diagnostic laboratory are allowed to use and store infective diagnostic reagents and materials except the SCVS in Baghdad and Erbil. Currently no live virus is handled in these laboratories. 4.2.4. Biosecurity measures applied: Any department and people cannot produce rinderpest vaccine and store materials with virulent or avirulent Rinderpest virus without the Ministry permission 4.2.5. Details of the type of tests undertaken: Confirmative diagnosis is dependent on virus isolation and identification. Pathogen identification tests include agar gel immuno-diffusion test, counter immunoelectrophoresis, c-ELISA and RT-PCR. Retrospective diagnosis is dependent on antibody test (including competitive ELISA, neutralization test, and agar gel immuno diffusion test). At present, the tests applied in Iraq are technically in conformity with those recommended by OIE.

Years Number of samples received

Serologic results Diagnosis

2006 99 34 / 99 FMD 2007 1294 96 / 1294 FMD 2008 7 0 / 7 FMD

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5. Rinderpest surveillance 5.1. Clinical suspicion Routine monthly reports of diseases confirmed by each governorate major veterinary clinic (hospital) and by the CVDLs and other departments are sent to the Departments of Animal Health in the SCVS in Baghdad and Erbil. The Department of Animal Health then analyse incoming reports and decide on follow-up investigations or control measures as appropriate. The data is compiled for further epidemiological analysis and summary reports. Serious outbreaks of disease and notifiable diseases can be reported without delay as “emergencies”. Rinderpest is a notifiable disease in Iraq. Recognition and reporting of notifiable diseases relies upon observation of clinical signs by farmers, government field staff, abattoir workers, and private veterinarians. All veterinarians are obliged to report notifiable diseases to the authorities. Reports are submitted to the governorate major veterinary clinics (hospitals) either through veterinary clinics or directly. Each major clinic (hospital) is responsible for forwarding these reports to the Departments of Animal Health in the SCVS in Baghdad, and Erbil. In response to such a report, primary investigation may be made by staff from the veterinary major clinic (hospital) that will collect samples and sent to the CVDL and TADs laboratory in Baghdad or CVDL in Erbil, with a copy of their findings and actions also sent to SCVS. If more investigation and sampling is required the SCVS and TADs Lab., CVDL will send a specialized team to re-investigate the case. Active surveillance programmes for Brucellosis and Screw Worm are operating in Iraq. They provide additional access to farms by qualified field staff that are given details and carry out preliminary investigations and reporting of any possible notifiable diseases, while, an important Rift Valley Fever (RVF) sero-surveys were carried out in central and southern of Iraq in 2006, the results of this survey were presented in FAO / Rome 20-24/2/2006. Strengthening of disease surveillance, reporting and information management are all subjects identified for international support in Iraq by organizations including FAO, EC and the governments of Australia and the United States of America. Iraq is a member of the OIE and FAO and all reports of notifiable disease are forwarded to these organizations.

Brucellosis prevalence in livestock in Iraq 2006 serosurveillance

Governorate RBT Prevalence % ELISA Prevalence %

Sheep and Gout

Cattle Buffaloes Camel Sheep and Gout

Cattle Buffaloes

Neniva 4.901 0.551 11.481 - 4.901 0.367 0.37 Bābil 5.083 0.74 0 - 4.594 0.37 0

Missan 3.33 0.74 0.558 - 3.232 0.74 0.372 Baghdad 14.165 12.068 6.481 - 6.848 0.689 2.777 Dayala 10.107 0.74 1.666 - 9.813 0.555 1.296

Nasriyah 1.083 1.113 0.553 - 0.886 0 0.369 Diwanya 15.964 21.15 10.018 - 7.541 1.113 2.782

Wāsit 22.233 9.444 2.592 - 7.933 0.74 1.666 Salah Alden 13.333 4.444 - - 11.862 1.481 -

Kirkuk 25.882 6.481 - - 16.372 2.592 - Karbala 9.705 1.666 0.925 - 8.823 0.925 0.74 Anbar 13.497 2.037 - - 7.783 0.74 - Basrah 19.509 23.191 24.354 - 1.666 0.927 5.35

Muthannā 0.49 8.163 - 0 0.196 0 0.196 Najaf 6.502 3.703 1.104 - 5.221 3.703 0.184 IRAQ 11.07% 6.44% 5.49% 0 6.51% 1.00% 1.48%

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Case reports of Screw Worm infection 2006-2008

Governorate 2006 2007 2008 Neniva 0 0 0 Bābil 0 1 0

Missan 6 4 0 Baghdad 4 0 0 Dayala 5 0 0

Nasriyah 3 0 0 Diwanya 0 0 0

Wāsit 0 0 0 Salah Alden 0 0 0

Kirkuk 0 0 0 Karbala 383 0 0 Anbar 0 0 0 Basrah 1465 2 0

Muthannā 0 0 0 Najaf 0 5 0 Total 1866 12 0

Rift Valley Fever ( RVF) sero-survey results

Type of Animals Number of samples Serological method Results Sheep and Gout 6120 ELISA IgG , IgM Ab Detecting 0/6120

Cattle and Buffaloes 1080 ELISA IgG, IgM Ab Detecting 0/1080 Not: The majority of samples were collected from middle and southern part of Iraq and with the border area to Saudi Arabia

Kingdom, because it has the suitable environmental conditions for RVFV and the suspicions of related vector were presents especially in the Marshlands and area behind it.

Table of the notifiable diseases reports submitted to OIE

Disease Report reference Avian influenza virus Ref OIE: 4597, Report Date : 03/02/2006 , Country Iraq Avian influenza virus Ref OIE: 4598, Report Date : 07/02/2006 , Country Iraq

RINDERPEST 4 April 2006 THE DELEGATE DECLARES HIS COUNTRY ‘PROVISIONALLY

FREE FROM RINDERPEST’ (a) National animal disease detection and reporting system Thought the routine monthly reports which submitted from the governorates to SCVS Baghdad for the last three years (2006-2007-2008), showing evidence of the presence of some cases had Enteritis-Stomatitis syndrome in cattle and buffaloes in most governorates, which it was treated medicinally and heal without complication, while the complicated unresponds cases were sending investigating laboratory samples to the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (CVDL) in Baghdad and Erbil. This evidence is showing as a table below.

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Table show the numbers and ratio of animals have syndrome (clinically) of enteritis in all governorates through the last three years which it was treated medicinally locally and heal without complication , the majority of these cases were due to Enterobacteriacea Infection.

Governorate Animal population (Cattle & Buffaloes)

Number and % of animals show enteritis syndrome

2006 % 2007 % 2008 % Sulaimaniyah 188037 5677 3.2 6457 3.6 5457 3.0

Neniva 175256 8506 4.8 5457 3.1 3077 1.7 Bābil 174509 4080 2.3 2112 1.2 1206 0.7

Missan 113242 803 0.7 724 0.6 298 0.3 Baghdad 102015 1676 1.6 1571 1.5 1347 1.3

Erbil 85000 867 2.9 945 3.1 1010 3.0 Dayala 89071 3196 3.5 1895 2.1 2534 2.8

Nasriyah 83735 6055 7.2 2612 3.1 2659 3.7 Diwanya 81467 830 1.0 699 0.8 342 0.4

Wāsit 79384 6211 7.8 5054 6.3 3314 4.0 Salah Alden 70020 0 0.0 0 0.0 343 0.5

Dohuk 50617 2033 4.0 1876 3.7 1989 3.9 Kirkuk 49472 1566 3.1 1234 2.4 1098 2.2 Karbala 44446 584 1.3 578 1.3 989 2.2 Anbar 40109 263 0.6 0 0.0 457 1.1 Basrah 37854 1299 3.4 1423 3.7 1293 3.4

Muthannā 36414 0 0.0 132 0.4 275 0.7 Najaf 33221 2680 8.0 2373 7.0 819 2.4

(b) Emergency disease reporting system.

No emergency reports of Rinderpest or Rinderpest-like disease have been received by the SCVS in Baghdad or in Erbil for the past three or more years, but a list of the details of cases /outbreaks of FMD that have been received and investigated for the last three years and the details is found in tables below. And a cases / outbreak of PPR that have been received as a case reports for the last three years is found in the table below, while a continues yearly vaccination against PPR.

Table show the number of FMD case / outbreak which investigate for last three years

Table show the emergency FMD reports to SCVS

Year Governorate Clinically + ve Death 2006 Neniva 15 -

Baghdad 15 3 Bābil 57 - Nasriyah 12 - Diwanya 23 - Najaf 21 2

2007 Wāsit 645 43 Bābil 35 5 Karbala 30 - Najaf 32 32

2008 Diwanya 141 26 Bābil 1 - Wāsit 70 47 Karbala 15 - Baghdad 1 - Najaf 16 - Dayala 3 -

Years Number of investigate case

Location ( Governorate)

Results

2006 99 Neniva , Sulaimaniyah , Nasriyah, Baghdad 34+ (FMD) 2007 1296 Sulaimaniyah, 34+ (FMD) 2008 252 Sulaimaniyah, Wāsit, Bābil, Diwanya, Baghdad, Basrah 0/252 (FMD)

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Table of PPR case reports submitted to SCVS

Year Clinically PPR + ve 2006 186 2007 345 2008 158

(c) Active searching for and thorough investigation of epidemiologically significant events (e.g. ‘stomatitis-enteritis syndrome’) raising suspicion of Rinderpest (which may include participatory disease searching, combined with follow-up and investigation) 5.2. Serological surveillance Sampling unit: According to the OIE guidelines provided in Appendix 3.8.2, .a sampling unit is defined as a group of animals in sufficiently close contact that individuals within the group are at approximately equally at risk for coming into contact with the virus. Giving the current security problem in Iraq in order to facilitate the field implementation of the survey, the country was consider as one stratum with 2 canters of commands: Baghdad and Erbil. Sample size and sample selection: Considering the recommendations of the OIE guidelines provided in Appendix 3.8.2. Surveillance for Rinderpest of the Terrestrial Code, the .annual sample size shall be sufficient to provide 95% probability of detecting Rinderpest if present at a prevalence of 1% of herds and 5% within herds, or other sampling units, based on the Guidelines for Epidemiological Surveillance for Rinderpest. The random selection of the 300 herds was done proportionally to the estimated cattle population in the two regions /canters of command (Baghdad and Erbil). Official cattle estimates of the Ministry were used for this purpose. The cattle population for each sub-division was expressed as a percentage of the total cattle population in the Stratum. The number of .herds to be sampled per unit was calculated by multiplying this percentage by 300 and rounded to the nearest integer. In order to achieve a 95% probability of detecting Rinderpest antibodies in a herd with a within-herd prevalence of 5%, statistically 20 samples should be collected per herd. It was decided to collect randomly serum samples of 15 eligible animals from each herd. Eligible animals included non vaccinated animals, aged between 1-2 years. The criterion used to estimate the age was one pair of permanent incisors. Base on this 2 round of sero-surveillance was carried out. A 2nd national survey was carried out to collect serum samples from unvaccinated cattle and buffaloes in October 2008. This survey was used as the opportunity to search the selected villages for mild Rinderpest, stomatitis and enteritis. The serological results of the 40 cases of stomatitis – enteritis syndrome are due to FMD or BVD infection as in the table below.

Stomatitis and enteritis syndrome % on the sampled animals and the test results

Governorate No. of Sample

Stomatitis – Enteritis

Syndrome (Sample)

Rinderpest

FMD

BVD

Sulaimaniyah 540 23/540 0/23 15/23 8/23 Neniva 507 - - - - Bābil 510 3/510 0/3 2/3 1/3

Missan 330 11/330 0/11 8/11 3/11 Baghdad 300 - - - -

Erbil 255 - - - - Dayala 255 - - - -

Nasriyah 240 1/240 0/1 1/1 - Diwanya 240 - - - -

Wāsit 240 - - - - Salah Alden 210 - - - -

Dohuk 150 - - - - Kirkuk 150 - - - - Karbala 135 2/135 0/2 1/2 1/2 Anbar 120 - - - - Basrah 105 - - - -

Muthannā 105 - - - - Najaf 105 - - - - Total 4497 40/4497 0/40 27/40 13/40

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As a follow-up of the 2nd national random survey, a collection of suitable serum samples were collected from the 25 villages where Rinderpest antibody positive animals were found in the 2006 (1st national survey). The result from this further investigation does not reveal any presence of antibodies suggesting that the sero-positive may have been due to non-specifically positive or miss ageing of animal. Table of the results of serum samples from the 25 villages which were Rinderpest sero-positive in the 1st national survey 2006

Governorate No of Villages No. of Samples Rinderpest +ve Neniva 4 60 0/60

Salah Alden 2 30 0/30 Dayala 1 15 0/15 Bābil 2 30 0/30

Diwanya 1 15 0/15 Karbala 1 15 0/15

Najaf 4 60 0/60 Nasriyah 3 45 0/45

Muthannā 1 15 0/15 Missan 3 45 0/45 Basrah 1 15 0/15

Baghdad 2 30 0/30 The Randomised serosurveys (second round in October/2008) was to examine statistically selected samples from relevant strata within the susceptible populations to detect serological evidence of possible virus transmission and other virus with stomatitis - enteritis syndrome. A total of 300 villages / herds randomly selected from all villages in Iraq, and weighted towards the cattle and buffaloes populations in each governorate. Serum samples were collected from 15 young animals in each sampling unit/village. Collection and testing of samples strictly followed recommendations of OIE on Rinderpest eradication and that of Terrestrial Animals Health Code. Only animals with two permanent incisors are included in the survey (12-24 month of age). The total numbers of 4497 sera were collected. The sera were analysed for antibodies to Rinderpest by BDSL Diagnostic Rinderpest c-ELISA kit, and also using IDEXX FMD-3ABC bo-ov Antibody Test kits and IDEXX Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus Antibody Test Kits in the TADs Laboratory in Baghdad and in CVDL in Erbil. The number of randomly selected villages visited during the survey is shown below.

National survey for Rinderpest, FMD and BVD results

BVD %+ve

FMD %+ve

Rinderpest+ ve

Sample Age/month

No. of Samples

No. of villagesTotal Buffaloes Cattle Governorate

26.6 95 11/540 12-24 540 36 1880372802 185235 Sulaimaniyah 30.8 12.8 5/510 12-24 507 34 1752569694 165562 Neniva 10.5 13.7 2/510 12-24 510 34 174509 13759 160750 Bābil 11.2 20.3 4/330 12-24 330 22 113242 14020 99222 Missan 18.6 20 1/300 12-24 300 20 102015 36664 65315 Baghdad 48.5 35.1 4/255 12-24 255 17 85000 - 85000 Erbil 20.7 12.94 7/255 12-24 255 17 89071 6768 82303 Dayala 4.5 17.5 2/240 12-24 240 16 83735 11467 72268 Nasriyah 7 18.33 2/240 12-24 240 16 81467 8376 73091 Diwanya

22.5 11.25 1/240 12-24 240 16 79384 2694 76690 Wāsit 45.5 23.3 1/210 12-24 210 14 70020 103 69917 Salah Alden 31.6 22.2 1/150 12-24 150 10 50617 - 50617 Dohuk 40.5 16 2/150 12-24 150 10 49472 301 49171 Kirkuk 6.6 8.14 0/135 12-24 135 9 44446 12923 31523 Karbala

15.8 22.5 5/120 12-24 120 8 40109 438 39671 Anbar 31.4 54.2 2/105 12-24 105 7 37854 17801 20053 Basrah 10.4 4.7 3/105 12-24 105 7 36414 2391 34023 Muthannā 3.8 6.6 0/105 12-24 105 7 33221 8376 24845 Najaf

21.4 23.03 53/4497 4497 300 1533833 148577 1385256 Total

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53 positive samples over the 4497 were positive (1.17% % as prevalence) using ELISA kit. Further field investigation was carried out in positive samples units. During that investigation, owner of the sero-positive animal were interview and the age of animals was assess using dentition. The sero-positive may have been due to non-specifically positive or miss ageing of animal, or some other type of cross-reaction or unexplained reason. The distribution of RP c-ELISA PI value (using the Rinderpest c-ECLSA kits provided by Pirbright Laboratory）of bovine serum from the 2008 survey is shown in the histogramme below. The PI is very high in the range between [31.35].

Number

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

< (-)30 (-)30,(-)20

(-)10,(-)19

0, (-)0.9

0, 5 6, 10 11, 15 16, 20 21, 25 26, 30 31, 35 36, 40 41, 45 46, 50 51, 55 56, 60 >60

PI Values Iraq

Num

ber b

y ra

nge

Number

5.3. Livestock demographics and economics.

In the past, a substantial part of the rural population had been nomadic, moving animals between seasonal grazing areas. Sheep and goats were the most important livestock, supplying meat, wool, milk, skins, and hair. A 1978 government survey, which represented the most recent official data available as of early 1988, estimated the sheep population at 9.7 million and the goat population at 2.1 million. Sheep and goats were tended primarily by nomadic and semi nomadic groups. The 1978 survey estimated the number of cattle at 1.7 million, the number of water buffalo at 170,000, the number of horses at 53,000, and the number of camels at 70,000.

In the 1970s, the government started to emphasize livestock and fish production, in an effort to add protein to the national diet. But 1985's red meat production (about 93,000 tons) and milk production (375,000 tons) were, respectively, about 24 and 23 percent less than the in 1975 totals, although other figures indicated that total livestock production remained stable between 1976 and 1985. In the mid-1980s, however, British, West German, and Hungarian companies were given contracts to establish poultry farms. At the same time, the government expanded aquaculture and deep-sea fishing. Total production of processed chicken and fish almost doubled, to about 20,000 tons apiece, from 1981 to 1985, while egg production increased substantially, to more than 1 billion per year.

Iraq’s poultry and livestock populations were devastated by the loss of rangeland to grain crops and the drop off of feed grain imports and veterinary medicines needed for routine control of parasites and diseases. Poultry inventories dropped from an estimated 105 million birds in 1989 to only 3.6 million in 1991.18 The 1991 liquidation of the poultry inventory represented a major setback for poultry consumption dropping the daily calorie per capita from poultry from over 55 in the 1989 to less than 4 in 1991 according to FAO data. Similarly, Iraq’s cattle population saw its number decline by nearly 37 percent between 1989 and 1991. A 1997 screw worm epidemic and a 1998 outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease resulted in further losses of animals.

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Nineveh3,8 Suleimanyah

2,0

Anbar1,5

Diyalah1,1

Kirkuk0,9

Muthannah1,3

Wasit0,8 Missan

0,8

Sheep

× 1000,000

Basrah0,1

Nasriyah0,6

*Baghdad0,3

Saladin1,2

Karbala *0,3

Dohuk0,5 Erbil

0,6

Babel *0,5

*Diwanneyah0,4

Najaf0,5

                   

Suleimanyah

Dohuk

Anbar

Nineveh

Erbil

1,7

5,0

15,0

2,0

0,5

Goat

× 100,000Kirkuk

0,5Saladin

0,2 Diyalah0,5

Muthanna0,9

Najaf0,0

Missan0,3

Basrah0,1

* Nasriyah0,1

Karbala*0,1

Baghdad* 0,3

Wasit1,0Babel

0,3Diwanniyah

0,5

 

Nineveh1,6

Suleimanyah2,0

Erbil1,2

Dohuk0,6

Anbar0,4

Kirkuk0,5

Cattle

× 100,000Saladin

0,7 Diyalah0,9

Wasit0,8

Missan1,0

Basrah0,2

Muthannah0,4

Nasriyah *0,7

**

*

*Baghdad

0,7

**Karbala

0,3 Babel*1,6

Diwanniyah* 0,7

*Najaf0,3

Nineveh0,9

*Baghdad

3,6

*Suleimanyah0,4

* Missan1,4

* Basrah1,7

* Nasriyah1,1

*Karbala1,3

* Babel1,4

Najaf0,9

Anbar0,04

Muthannah0,2

* Wasit0,3

* Diyalah0,7

* Saladin0,01

Dohuk0,04* * Erbil

0,01

* Kirkuk0,03

* Diwannyah

Buffalo× 10000

5.4. Wildlife demographics.

The wildlife of Iraq includes its flora and fauna and their natural habitats. Iraq had lost all of its Asiatic Lion, Asiatic Cheetah and the now extinct Caspian Tigers by the earlier years of the twentieth century, and also the wildlife in Iraq includes different types of mammals and birds which lived mostly in the west and south desert and at the mountains at the north of Iraq and also at marshes at the south of all country, others still lived at the meadow and near the tow revivers. The mammals of Iraq include 8 orders, 26 families and 88 species and subspecies, such as: Insectivores, Carnivores, Artiodactyls, and Rodentia etc. Many spices still wondering in many area of Iraq. Few numbers of Gazelles are free or in parks ,wild Goat at the mountains ,Hares , many foxes and jackals ,wolves ,badgers Wild pigs are found especially in marshes area but in limited population due to draining of these marshes before 20 years . From the bird order, Galliformes, fowl phasianidae, chucks, partridge and quail, the large ,small Asiatic Hubara which is considered as endangered spices. Although vast number of waterfowl migrate to Iraq, particularly at winter ,little has been down to records , study and protect them . Iraqi Natural history museum is the main organization concerning studying their migration, they include, swam, geese and ducks. Also many animals from classes Amphibian, Reptilians which distributed all over Iraq. 5.5. Slaughterhouses and markets Small markets are found at several locations in most governorates in which animals from local villages and farms are sold for slaughter and trade. Most governorates also have a larger central market that receives animals from the smaller markets for onward sale to the major national markets in Baghdad, Qādisiyyah, Babel and Mosul. If these central markets are situated close to an international border (for instance Basra, Missan, and Dayala, Mosul, and Anbar governorates) some livestock may find their way, illegally, to neighbouring countries.

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Map showing the main livestock movement routes into and out of Iraq

Searching pasture movement (Mainly Sheep) In movement (Mainly Sheep) Out (Illegal movement)

6. Rinderpest prevention 6.1. Coordination with neighbouring countries. The Ministry of Agriculture and SCVS co-ordinate closely with neighbouring countries to share information on animal diseases. This includes:

- Co-ordination of animal health programmes including disease surveillance, quarantine and control. - Use of compatible disease reporting and information systems - Exchange of information at central levels

Joint training workshops arranged by international and regional organizations

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6.2. Import control procedures Meat imports, an estimated 24% of consumption, are significant, but supplies are unpredictable. The once thriving poultry industry was in disarray even before the emergence of bird flu in the region. Imports represent some 41%. At an estimated 8% import dependency, supplies of red meat -- lamb, goats and sheep – appear to be more stable, and there are some exports to neighbouring countries and the Gulf. The pervasive presence of the Public Distribution System (PDS), a publicly funded, basic food basket program, is a major factor hindering potentially efficient, private, market-oriented investment in the sector.97 All the biggest food markets in Iraq – sugar, edible oil, cereals, and milk – are distorted by the PDS distribution scheme crowding out market oriented private investment. The government has prepared some change and reduced. The government has prepared some changes and reductions in the PDS program. There is presently no enforcement of any food code. Reliable enhancement of poultry industry is created by the ministry of agriculture and directed to increase the production towered self sufficient in near future. Although the country is not fully self-sufficient in animal products the Ministry of Agriculture has banned the importation of livestock since the 1985 outbreak of Rinderpest. The shortfall in requirements has been made up recently by the importation of red meat and poultry meat from a number of sources including India, Jordan and Brazil as follows: 2005 (19510 tons); 2006 (24203 tons), 2007 (22616 tons). There is strong inspection of imported products at veterinary quarantines scattered along Iraqi border entry points (19 point), following OIE international animal health code guide lines.

6.2.1. Map with the number and location of ports, airports and land crossings

Airport Port

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The SCVS and Veterinary Services in Kurdish region are responsible for import controls part of the official services and had a quarantine department which was responsible upon 19 quarantine points on the border , airports and ports .

Permanent border points which located in: South border (Kuwait - Gulf, Iran) 5 Quarantine.

North border (turkey) 1 Quarantine.

West border (Syria, Jordon) 4 Quarantine.

East border (Iran) 6 Quarantine.

Airport quarantine: 3

6.2.2. The regulations, procedures, type and frequency of checks at the point of entry into the country and/or their final destination, concerning the import and follow up of the following:

a) Animals --- Livestock had been banned since the 1985 outbreak of Rinderpest

b) Genetic material (semen and embryos)--- Laboratory analysis

c) Animal products--- Laboratory analysis

d) Veterinary medicinal products (i.e. biologics)--- Laboratory analysis

6.2.3. The action available under legislation, and actually taken, when an illegal import is detected. Provide information on detected illegal imports.

In case of an illegal importation are detected, the custom authority with cooperation of veterinary quarantine point staff will check the issues and took the appropriate action according to the law No. No.68 – 1936 and law No.37 – 1937 and their annexes, which include confiscation of issues :

- Animals – Quarantined in specific part in the border or check points and different samples for laboratory analysis are submitted to specific laboratory in Baghdad and Erbil. If samples are positive to specific contagious diseases, the animals must be slaughtered on site, and destroying the carcases.

- Animal products and other material related to livestock health and production - Quarantined in specific part in the border or check points and different samples for laboratory analysis are submitted to specific laboratory in Baghdad and Erbil; the high-risk material must be rendered harmless.

7. Control measures and contingency planning Previously Iraq has no specific Emergency Preparedness Plan for Rinderpest and no contingency plan to cater for any outbreak. No vaccine is available for emergency use. No funds have been “earmarked” for emergency activities.

Now, In the event of an outbreak of Rinderpest in Iraq there are an Emergency Preparedness Plan for this disease and a contingency plan to cater for any outbreak, and arranging for vaccines availability for emergency use through FAO / GREP, in addition to that, funds have been “earmarked” for emergency activities. (Annex 1).

8. Compliance with the Terrestrial Code 8.1. Concerning Provisional and Freedom from Rinderpest disease

In 4 April 2006, after 3 years since discontinuation of vaccination against RP Iraq announced Provisional free from the disease. While considering the application and taking into account activities conducted, OIE suggested that Iraq will apply to be declared as a country free from the disease by submitting the Dossier.

8.2. Concerning freedom from rinderpest infection By submitting the given Dossier, the Government of Iraq assures that the country is free from Rinderpest diseases and infection according to PDS and sero-surveillance results and historical background. Due to the reason that the last vaccination against RP in Iraq was held more than 10 years ago and vaccination 6 years ago, according to OIE rule, Iraq can apply to OIE for obtaining free from RP infection status as well.

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All actual data on activities performed in accordance with the Terrestrial Animal Health Code for the last 4 years are presented in the Dossier.

Though Rinderpest in Iraq has not been reported since 1996, confirm positive samples had never been detected in the course of the whole period of the surveillance. In the course of this period, no clinical signs of the disease have been detected diagnose and confirm in the laboratory.

9. Recovery of status Countries applying for recovery of status should comply with the provisions of Article 2.2.12.2 of the Terrestrial Code and provide detailed information as specified in sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 5.2 of this report. In the event of a suspected outbreak of Rinderpest the SCVS will send a veterinary team to the infected village with authority for all control. The team will impose quarantine for at least one month on the affected premises and on all livestock within a 3 kilometre radius. This is known as the “protection zone”. The team acting at a local level and the Ministry of Agriculture and SCVS acting at a central level will inform the Ministry of the Interior about the outbreak and request all support including the assistance of the police in controlling animal movement and the implementation of appropriate legislation. The disease will be controlled and eradicated through slaughter of infected animals in the quarantine zone and vaccination of all others. Vaccine will be obtained through a pre-arranged emergency procedure from external sources. Slaughtered animals will be destroyed by burning and burial. Continuous clinical surveillance supported by laboratory confirmation will monitor the presence of the disease until no new cases are detected. Active disease surveillance and investigation will also be made in a “surveillance zone” surrounding the “protection” zone for an additional 20 kilometres. If confirmed cases are found in this zone the protection zone will be increased to include it, and a new “surveillance zone” declared. Quarantines will be lifted two months after the last confirmed case but surveillance maintained for a further six months.

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Annex 1

RINDERPEST CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR IRAQ

SECTION 1: DISEASE DESCRIPTION 1.1 History and spread of the disease Rinderpest (Cattle plague) is a contagious disease that principally affects cattle, but occasionally can also affect sheep, goats and camels, certain wild ruminants and pigs. Cattle plague was a major disease of livestock since 1985 in Iraq. It last occurred here in 1996 but it survives in other parts of the world. It is an OIE Class A disease reflecting its serious economic impact. 1.2 Symptoms The temperature rises in the early stages. The animal is off its food, dull and the coat is staring. Sometimes shivering is noticed. The breathing is quick: a watery or mucous discharge flows from the eyes and nostrils; in the latter case there may be a slight amount of blood in the discharge. In milking cows the secretion of milk is diminished or arrested. The membrane of the nostrils reddens, and an eruption, like grains of bran, appears in the nostrils and inside the lips and cheeks. This eruption is often followed by distinct ulceration. The animal is at first constipated, but in the later stages diarrhoea often sets in. In this case the dung has a foul smell and is often tinged with blood. The animal rapidly loses condition and the disease usually terminates fatally in from 6 to 10 days. Cattle plague does not attack single animals in a herd, but spreads rapidly from one to another. 1.3 Post-mortem The principal lesions here are in the alimentary tract. Small necrotic areas, which later develop into sharply defined deep ulcers, occur in the mouth, pharynx and oesophagus. These ulcers later coalesce to form large erosions. Similar lesions and also numerous small haemorrhages occur in the mucosa of the abomasums (fourth stomach). Zones of intense inflammation are found in the large intestine. Typically, these are arranged transversely giving a striped appearance. All lymph nodes are severely congested and dark red in colour. SECTION 2: LEGAL POWERS 2.1 Statutory Powers • The State company for Veterinary Services SCVS (The Iraqi Federalism Government) • Veterinary Services in Kurdistan Region. 2.2.1 Notification of Suspected Rinderpest OIE legislation regarding control of animal disease has been implemented in the SVSC act. The act deals with the control measures to be undertaken by Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture, for diseases in cattle, Buffaloes, sheep, gout, camel, poultry, and livestock. In the Directive on notification of infectious animal diseases Rinderpest is denoted as infectious animal disease in livestock, bringing it under the scope of the act require compulsory notification of suspected Rinderpest by the owner/keeper and the veterinarian. The course of action on receipt of a notification of Rinderpest is set down in the Rinderpest contingency plan. Directly after notification of Rinderpest, it is reported to the FAO \ GREP. As soon as livestock is suspected of being infected the measures set down are taken. As most of the cases require emergency action, the head of Provence Veterinary Major Clinics of the SCVS usually takes the necessary action and informs the SCVS DG immediately, every veterinarian is obliged to conduct his profession according to the normal rules and practices. This means that the veterinarian is also obliged to ensure that no damage is inflicted to animal health or that there is no damage to public health or the national economy. 2.2.2 Slaughter of infected and animals suspected of being infected As soon as Rinderpest is officially confirmed on a farm, all susceptible animals present on the farm must be slaughtered on site. Under domestic law slaughter of diseased animals or animals suspected of being diseased can be carried out. 2.2.3 Destruction of carcasses and access to sites to be used for this purpose Animal waste originating from animals slaughtered under measures to combat the spread of veterinary disease is designated high-risk material. The high-risk material must be rendered harmless. The SCVS has a legal responsibility to destroy material under measures to combat the spread of veterinary diseases. 2.2.4 Payment of compensation The SCVS with the Ministry of Agriculture act has a closed system of compensation. Article of this act states that compensation can be granted from the Farmers Supporting Fund, if animals were slaughtered or rendered harmless under

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measures to combat infectious animal diseases. Compensation for animals suspected of being diseased equals the value of the healthy animal, for diseased animals 50% of this value and animals died before the moment of suspicion 0%. Products and materials will be compensated with the value at the moment the measures were taken. SCVS DG will inform the owner of the amount as soon as the valuation has been made and accepted. Conditions may be attached to the granting of compensation regarding the layout, hygiene, re-stocking of the animals and veterinary supervision of the farm. The Minister of Agriculture could reduce compensation, withhold payment or demand repayment if it is determined that the conditions have not been met. 2.2.5 Cleaning and disinfecting and other measures to be taken with regard to buildings and land The Veterinary doctor incharge can order the cleaning and disinfections of buildings, land, manure silos and storage areas. These measures are laid down in the regulation concerning the execution of measures to combat infectious animal diseases. 2.2.6 Standstill orders and limitation of movement orders As soon as Rinderpest is officially confirmed the competent authorities will delineate a protection area around the infected farm with a radius of at least 3 km and a surveillance zone with a radius of at least 10 km. The SCVS forms the basis for the standstill orders to be put in place to combat the spread of animal disease. In addition, warning signs must be placed. Under the procedure set down by the SCVS the necessary regulation comes into force immediately after it has been made known to the media. The Minister of Agriculture may ban the transport of animals, products or materials which could be carriers of contamination, in the whole of Iraq, or in certain areas of it. The Veterinary doctor incharge of the district may announce a standstill order around a farm infected or suspected of being infected. Buildings and land can be declared infected or suspected of being infected by posting official notices by the veterinary authority in the region. As soon as a notice has been posted the farm concerned automatically becomes subject to the following general legal provisions: A ban on animals, products and materials that could be carriers of infection entering or leaving the farm are set down in the decision on transport to and from buildings and land contaminated or suspected to be contaminated. The compulsory cleaning and disinfections of persons leaving the farm is set down in the regulation on leaving building and land contaminated or suspected to be contaminated. 2.2.7 Vaccination Vaccination against Rinderpest is prohibited, but it is possible to carry out emergency vaccination to supplement control measures already taken in the event of outbreak of Rinderpest. The FAO / GREP will make this decision. A vaccination programme will be provided to Iraq at the moment Iraq asks the FAO / GREP to take vaccination in consideration as a control measure in a Rinderpest outbreak. 2.3. Enforcement SCVS act officials designated by the Minister of agriculture are responsible for compliance with disease control as established. Detection of punishable offences is the responsibility of the officials so designated under the National Economic Offenses. 2.4 Penalties Violations of SCVS act are punishable under the National Economic Offenses Act. If a veterinarian does not fulfil his duty of care in the practice of veterinary medicine the measures set by SCVS come into force. A disciplinary tribunal can impose these measures. SECTION 3: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS 3.1 Covenant for financing outbreaks of animal disease The expenses for legal control of contagious animal diseases are financed by the SCVS through the ministry of agriculture. 3.1.1 Personnel Money voted to the Ministry of Agriculture each year cover the cost of staff employed by SCVS. If additional personnel are required on a temporary basis their cost is borne by SCVS Fund for the Control of Contagious Diseases. The costs covered in this Fund include not only the pay but also personnel-related operating costs, e.g. travel and subsistence. 3.1.2 Equipment and consumable items The costs of equipment and consumable items are covered by the SCVS resources . Small equipment and consumable items are in stock. Costs for major capital items on call to hire or to buy from commercial firms are also covered by the SCVS resources.

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3.1.3 Slaughter, Transport of carcasses and transport and destruction of contaminated material, sanitation. These costs are covered by the SCVS resources. 3.1.4 Compensation payments Compensation payments are paid out of the SCVS resources but from farmer supporting fund. Once valuation is agreed payment is authorised by the Veterinary doctor incharge and passed to the Director of SCVS, who signs for payment on behalf of the Minister of agriculture. In general payment takes place within 3 months after valuation. 3.1.5 Emergency vaccination and identification As a rule the costs of vaccine, emergency vaccination and identification are provided for by the SCVS resources although there is an opportunity for the Minister of Agriculture to decide that these costs are in total or partly at the expense of the owner of the livestock concerned. SECTION 4: THE CHAIN OF COMMAND AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRANSBOUNDARY ANIMAL DISEASES 4.1 Introduction This contingency plan was set down by the SCVS and can be found on the Ministry of agriculture, Provinces Veterinary Major Clinics, and those who could become involved with combating Rinderpest are familiar with it, which can be used during an outbreak of Rinderpest. 4.2 Chain of command In the event of an outbreak of Rinderpest, the Director General of SCVS is the official leader of the chain of command. To effectively combat an outbreak, the following measures will be taken: • The National Committee for Crisis Management (NCCM) will be activated. • The departmental crisis staff (DCS) will be assembled, and will meet in the Ministry of agriculture main building. The DCS is

made up of: Minister Deputy as head, SCVS DG, Consultants. The crisis staffs are primarily concerned with the main policy and regulatory decisions and have as its job:

Evaluating the crisis situation; Formulating/evaluating the possible policy options; Making recommendations to Minister of Agriculture about policy measures to be taken; Measures to take to ensure a legal and efficient execution of policy decisions taken by the Minister of Agriculture; Translating policy decisions into assignments for the operational team; Formulating/evaluating the communication/information strategy to be followed.

• One or more regional crisis centres (RCC) will be activated. 4.3 The National Centre for TADs The NC-TADs which it belong to SCVS acts as supporting in service of the crisis organisation, in which every outbreak of an OIE-listed A disease is treated in theory as a crisis. A process manager is appointed by the SCVS DG , charged with all facilities-, personnel- and other non-policy-related matters needing arrangements. • The NC-TADs is housed in the main building of the Laboratories in Baghdad. • The address is

• Baghdad – Iraq • AL- Nahdha sq. • Tel. 009647400187858

The NC-TADs has the general duty to: • Make recommendations to the SCVS DG about measures to take; • Assembling and evaluating information about the national and international situation; • Take measures to ensure a lawful and efficient carrying out of the decisions taken by the DG. • Maintain the necessary internal and external contacts including informing citizens and other involved persons, with

co-operation of other departments in SCVS. • Have a specialist in diagnosis TADs with a well consultant staff.

4.4 The operations team Crisis staff is supported by the operation team, which is in charge of: • Gathering and interpreting information, setting up a policy information system; • Formulating policy proposals; • Executing policy decisions;

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• Preparing situation reports. The operations team is under day-to-day management of the SCVS DG, who is responsible for: • Harmonising the work of the operations team with existing regional teams and workers in the field; • Communication and harmonisation about the formulated policy proposals with the regional and field teams before they are

submitted to the crisis staff for decision. The operations team will be housed in the crisis centre in SCVS. 4.5 The operation team has at its disposal the following facilities: • Audio-visual equipment

• Video-conferencing facility • Overhead projector which can be linked to the video system • Radio • Television

• Communications equipment and information systems • Direct connection to the public telephone network (Mobile) and Satellite Telephone • Internet connections • Variable network connections suitable for voice and data transmissions

• Meeting facilities • Whiteboard, flip-over • Projector screen

• Necessary information • Maps of Iraq (both large-scale national and detailed maps)

• Making manual including important telephone and Email numbers, addresses and emergency network numbers. SECTION 5: DISEASE CONTROL AT LOCAL LEVEL 5.1 Responsibilities The regional Veterinary director is in charge of the general and logistics management of the regional crisis centre (RCC). 5.2 List of regional crisis centres The NCCM maintains a list of regional crisis centres. This list gives for each centre the name of the persons in charge, the address, its telephone, and e-mail address and a map showing the area under its control; this list is available to the Commission as required. 5.3 Temporary regional crisis centre In the event of a disease outbreak the Minister Deputy may decide to set up a temporary regional crisis centre conveniently located close to the disease outbreak. This centre is preferably within the surveillance zone surrounding the primary outbreak. 5.4. Regional crisis centre The regional veterinary director is in charge of the general and logistic management of the regional crisis centre. He / She directly report to the SCVS DG. All staff allocated to a centre for the period of the disease emergency is under his / her command, and has the necessary authority to: • Designate a holding as an “infected premises” (after consultation with, and the sanction of, the NC-TADs if that is considered

necessary) • Deploy the necessary staff and equipment to infected premises, • Arrange valuation and slaughter of infected and contacted cattle, the disposal of carcasses and contaminated material and

sanitation procedures, • Advise on the delineation of protection and surveillance zones; close livestock markets and abattoirs as necessary, • Stay in contact with police and other authorities over the designation of infected premises and the maintenance of standstill

orders and other restrictions. 5.5 Equipment The local centres are equipped with: • Adequate telephone, and e-mail communications. One line is reserved for communication with the NC-TADs. • Record systems. • Maps covering the territory overseen by the centre (minimally 1:50,000) • Lists of persons and organisations in the area covered by the centre to be contacted in the event of a disease outbreak: • Facilities for informing the press and other media so that all persons are fully aware of the restrictions in force. • Equipment stores Facilities for cleaning and disinfecting personnel, clothing and vehicles.

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SECTION 6: EXPERT GROUPS & SPECIALIST TEAMS 6.1 Expert group There is an expert group in Iraq operating at the national level co-operated with SCVS. 6.1 Responsibilities The national expert group has the following responsibilities: • In the event of a primary outbreak, they conduct an immediate epidemiological enquiry that provides a broad assessment of the

risk involved. • During the course of the disease control campaigns they deal with particular problems as they emerge and they provide advice. • At all times they maintain expertise within Iraq and develop new control strategies and techniques where necessary, • They train and advise other staff on disease emergency measures. 6.2 Animal Disease Specialist teams The specialist team goes to the first suspected farm. The team consist of a specially trained veterinarian, NC-TADs veterinarian and the local practitioner. They will describe • The situation at the infected holding • The number and species of susceptible and other livestock; the method of husbandry, • The number of clinically affected animals and the estimated age of the oldest lesion(s), • Take samples of animals with clinical symptoms. • The size and location of the holding and its relationships with other holdings, public roads, etc. • The recent movements (cattle and personnel) on and off the holding 6.3 Screening teams • Inventory screening: To get a good impression of the spread of the virus within the protection zone as soon as possible and

make an inventory of the amount of animals in this area. • Follow-up screening: to stay informed of the amount of susceptible animals and the possible spread of the virus within the area

by making farm visits. • Final screening: Serological screening on farms within the enclosed area. This is one of the conditions for lifting up the

restricted measurements. 6.4 Tracing teams To find all the possible contact farms of the infected farms, upward and downward • Keep under surveillance of contact holdings and all other suspected holdings till the suspicion of the disease is ruled out • Taking samples on infected farms to get knowledge of the origin of the disease virus and the length of period between infection

and diagnosis • Advice on holdings for preventive culling • Taking samples on holdings that will be preventive culled to investigate if the holding was infected or not 6.5 Culling teams • Killing of infected and strongly suspected farms as soon as possible. • Determine the value of the susceptible animals to take over, animal feed to be taken over and the utensils . • Killing and carry off susceptible animals, carry off the animal feed, milk and milk products and the carry off the materials • Supervises the first disinfections, the in between disinfections, the second disinfections in the check-up on the disinfections. 6.6 Epidemiologists On the basis of the findings of the specialist team and tracing team, combined with findings of other holdings the epidemiological team will advise the local or national centre on: • The possible origin of the infection • The likely period of infection on the premises, • The holdings most at risk due to either airborne spread or movements of animals, • Tracing and other measures that need to be undertaken to limit the spread of disease. SECTION 7: PERSONNEL RESOURCES 7.1 List of staff The SCVS is responsible for the provision of an adequate number of well-qualified staff both at the national and regional level. 7.2 Agreements The SCVS is responsible for ensuring that well qualified personnel, specialised in Rinderpest is available and guarantees that in an outbreak of disease they can be deployed under the command of the SCVS. The SCVS has the names and addresses of all

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practising veterinarians in IRAQ and provides support in the recruitment of extra personnel in times of crisis. This could be a veterinary practitioner for support tasks. 7.3 NC-TADs The veterinarian in charge of the NC-TADs has at her/his command veterinarians and other staff who have been trained in the management of disease emergencies. 7.4 regional crisis centres RCC’s are minimally staffed as follows: • Regional director (Veterinary Doctor) • Crisis manager (Veterinary Doctor) • 2 - 3 veterinarians • 2 - 4 lay support staff for field duties • 2 - 5 office support staff 7.5 Training The veterinarians are trained in the diagnosis of Rinderpest. 7.6 Expert groups The composition of the central expert group may vary but shall consist of at least: • A senior veterinarian • 2 veterinarians with a scientific research background • 1 veterinary epidemiologist • 1 veterinarian from the State Company of Animal welfare Service • Administrative personnel • Advice from a Veterinary Colleges is always available 7.7 Personnel resources in Iraq Iraq’s ensures that sufficient trained staff is immediately available. SECTION 8: EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES RESOURCES 8.1 Availability Since effective control of Rinderpest depends on the immediate availability of equipment and immediate access to facilities, the following equipment is readily available. 8.2 Equipment Iraq does have available at regional offices or some other convenient place the following equipment: • Protective clothing • Disinfectants effective against Rinderpest virus, detergents and soaps • Pumps, shovel and scrapers • Humane killers and lethal drugs • Autopsy and sampling equipment • Sign posts/warning notices for use at infected premises and in protection/surveillance zones • Maps • Vaccination equipment 8.3 Access The veterinarian in charge of the disease control centre has standing arrangements for access to: • Vehicles • Combustible materials • Digging equipment • Flame guns (for sterilising metal) • Sprayers and other means of sanitation. 8.4 Transport of carcasses Since carcasses must be transported to rendering plants in sealed vehicles, Iraq’s ensure that these facilities are available in sufficient quantity to deal with major epidemics. 8.5 Office equipment Each RCC has office equipment available including:

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• Office furniture, photocopiers, etc. • Pre-printed forms (restrictions, valuation, epidemiological, public, tracing, movements) SECTION 9: DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORIES 9.1 Laboratories : Laboratory tests for the confirmation of a Rinderpest diagnosis are carried out at the NC-TADs Laboratory, which is currently validating new diagnostic techniques. Material of a first outbreak will also be sent to the reference laboratory IAH in Pirbright, UK. The tests are carried out according to chapter 2.1.4 (Rinderpest) of the OIE manual of standards for diagnostic tests & vaccines. 9.2 Duration of Tests: Identification of the agent by Agar Gill Immuno -Diffusions AGID or virus isolation will take between 1 and 21 days. Detection of antibodies takes between 7 and 14 days. 9.3 Sampling: Instruments and tubes necessary for sample collection are stored at every district office of the RVMC and at the Veterinary major clinics. 9.4 Capacity: The minimal laboratory capacity immediately available for virus detection is 30 samples per week. For the detection of antibodies, 400 serum samples/week can be tested. Capacity for the tests is dependent on the availability of reagents that are bought from commercial companies vs. FAO cooperation. Extra capacity can be created by instructing and deploying extra personnel that are familiar with this kind of diagnostic work.

Rinderpest diagnosis at NC-TADs Lab. Test

Standard capacity(per week)

Increased capacity2 weeks after first outbreak

(per week) Antigen or virus detection 30 60

Antibody detection 400 4000 Annex 2 Scan copy of the Law 68 and 105 (In Arabic)

      

 

 

 

 

 

بسم اهللا الرحمن الرحيم

جريده الوقائع العراقيه

3285: العدد

12/1989/ 10: السنه

بأسم الشعب

مجلس قياده الثوره

من الماده الثانيه واالربعين من الدستور قرر مجلس قياده الثوره " أ"استنادا الى احكام الفقره

اصدار القانون االتي

1989لسنه " 105"رقم

قانون

1972لسنه " 22"التعديل الثاني لقانون ذبح الحيوانات رقم

الماده االولى :

ويحل " المعدل " 1972لسنه " 22"تلغى الماده االولى من قانون تنظيم ذبح الحيوانات رقم :محلها ما يأتي

الماده االولى

.وزير الزراعه والري –الوزير . 1 اينما " الجهة المختصه " وتحل محل عباره ، وزاره الزراعه والري –الوزاره . 2

.وردت في القانون المكان المخصص لذبح الحيوانات المعده لآلستهالك البشري وبضمنها –المجزره . 3

.الدواجن .المحكمه المختصه بنظر الدعاوى الناشئه عن مخالفه احكام هذا القانون –المحكمه . 4

الماده الثانيه ::من القانون ويحل محلها ما يأتي " الثانيه " من الماده " 3" تلغى الفقره

من هذه الماده اذا آان وزنها " 1" اليجوز ذبح الحيوانات الوارد ذآرها في الفقره . وهي حيه يقل عن الوزن المحدد في البيان الصادر عن الوزير او من يخوله والمنشور

.قبل تاريخ الذبح في الجريده الرسميه

الماده الثالثه :

:من القانون ويحل محلها ما يأتي "الثالثه " تلغى الماده

الماده الثالثه :

من القانون اال في االماآن التي " الماده الثانيه " اليجوز ذبح الحيوانات الوارد ذآرها في .تعدها الوزاره لهذا الغرض

الماده الرابعه

:من القانون ويحل محلها ما يأتي " الخامسه " تلغى الماده وتتولى ، تصادر الوزاره الذبائح وملحقاتها اذا ثبت لها ان الذبح تم خالفًا الحكام القانون على ان ، بيع الصالح منها لآلستهالك البشري لهذا الغرض والتصرف بغير الصالح منها

.خزينه العامه تسجل االثمان المتحققه عن آال العمليتين ايرادًا لل الماده الخامسه :

: من القانون ويحل محلها ما يأتي" السادسه " تلغى الماده

يعاقب من يخالف احكام هذا القانون بالحبس مده التزيد على سنتين والتقل عن ثالثه . 1او بكلتا " ثالثمائه دينار " " 300"والتقل عن " 3000" اشهر او بغرامه التزيد على

وللمحكمه في هذه الحاله ، وفي حاله العود يعاقب المخالف بكلتا العقوبتين . تين العقوب.الغاء اجازه ممارسه المهنه بصوره مؤقته او دائمه

، في المخالفات البسيطه التي التحال الى المحكمه ، للوزير او من يخوله ان يقرر . 2او فرض غرامه التزيد يومًاغلق المجزره او محل بيع اللحوم مده التزيد على ثالثين

وللمعاقب حق االعتراض على ذلك ، او بهما معًا " ثالثمائه دينار " " 300/ -" على ويكون قرار ، امام المحكمه خالل مده التتجاوز عشره ايام من تاريخ التبلغ بالقرار

.المحكمه بهذا الشأن باتًا

الماده السادسه :

يومًا من " 60" الجريده الرسميه خالل مده اقصاها يصدر الوزير تعليمات تنشرفي :تاريخ تنفيذ هذا القانون تتناول المحاور اآلتيه

.من الماده السادسه من القانون " 2" تحديد المخالفاتالمشار اليها في الفقره . 1 .اعداد ونقل وخزن وبيع اللحوم المعده لآلستهالك البشري . 2 .لمجازر االشراف الصحي على ا. 3 .مهام المراقبه والتفتيش والمتابعه . 4 .شروط وضوابط منح اجازه ممارسه المهنه . 5

الماده السابعه :

.ينفذ هذا القانون من تاريخ نشره في الجريده الرسميه

صدام حسين رئيس مجلس قياده الثوره