Rapid Response Surveillance Capability Development for TSEs

Summary

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Background
The last two decades have seen a rising frequency of unpredictable emergency animal disease events throughout the world.  While some of these are due to known pathogens (eg avian influenza, foot and mouth disease, West Nile virus), others are the result of previously unknown agents (eg Nipah virus, bovine spongiform encephalopathy - BSE). Some of these agents also cross species barriers (eg avian influenza, West Nile virus, BSE).  Australia has not been insulated from this trend with Hendra virus, Menangle virus and Australian bat lyssavirus emerging from wildlife reservoirs to affect both domestic animals and humans during the past decade.
For many diseases, exposure to infection can be confirmed in the live animal by methods which detect either the agent directly (eg polymerase chain reaction - PCR) or the host’s production of specific antibodies (eg enzyme-linked immunoassay – ELISA).  These methods provide the basis for surveillance for many infectious diseases.  However, for some conditions such as the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), animals must be autopsied in order to determine whether or not the disease is present as there are presently no tests available for reliable detection in live animals.  This poses a particular challenge for disease surveillance – what is the most cost-effective method to track an epidemic and to confirm freedom for such diseases?
To adequately address sampling from these risk animals, convenient aggregation points (such as meatworks, knackeries, saleyards and live export depots) need to be assessed to determine their usefulness from a surveillance perspective.  To this end, a number of working parties under the auspices of SAFEMEAT and Animal Health Australia have considered a wide range of research options.  
Purpose
The purpose of the proposed project is to ensure Australia has the capability to quickly deploy surveillance methods requiring post-mortem sampling, sometimes in public places such as saleyards.  This will address an important challenge for Australia where, because of the extensive nature of production systems, there is a need to develop innovative, cost effective sample collection methods based on a number of different livestock aggregation points.  
Lessons learned will be used to position Australia to rapidly respond to any changes in surveillance requirements for diseases like BSE that might occur in the future, whether that results from detecting disease, a change to international standards or domestic policy, or in response to trading partner requirements.
Description

This project aims to evaluate Australia’s unique needs and ability to scale up surveillance in specific risk animal sub-populations through post-mortem sampling at different aggregation points.  Activities will comprise using rapid ELISA-based BSE tests at AAHL; transferring this technology to a State veterinary laboratory; and developing and testing methods to identify and sample risk animals at a number of aggregation points such as meatworks, saleyards, knackeries and live export facilities.  
Objectives

There are two objectives to be met by the Project –
1. to develop, evaluate and describe cost-effective methods for the identification of eligible risk animals (both cattle and sheep) presented at different types of aggregation points such as meatworks, saleyards, knackeries and live export facilities as well as the collection, transport and processing of fully traceable tissue samples collected post-mortem in Years 1 and 2;
2. to develop, evaluate and describe the processes involved in the  transfer of technology from AAHL to a State veterinary laboratory with development of associated quality assurance and quality control procedures in Years 1 and 2;