8 December 2003
Boxmeer, December 05, 2003
At the beginning of this month, the EU Standing Committee approved the EU Commission Decision on the positive evaluation of a discriminatory test for Classical Swine Fever (CSF). In doing so, it made available an essential tool that can be combined with E2 Marker vaccines should marker vaccination campaigns be initiated during CSF outbreaks in Europe. A complete marker system is now available, supplied by Bommeli Diagnostics and its parent company Intervet International.
The general public has strong objections to large-scale culling of animals during outbreaks of CSF or similar notifiable diseases. In the past, countries have been reluctant to vaccinate, given the difficulties of monitoring the outbreak in vaccinated herds and the serious consequences it has on the trade of animals and animal products.
This year, lively debate at the EU moved emergency vaccination to the forefront of control measures, although the basic approach to eradicating CSF, involving the culling of all susceptible animals on infected farms and pre-emptive culling around the outbreaks, is maintained.
In the event of an outbreak of CSF in an area with a high concentration of pigs, marker vaccination can now be seen as the most viable option. If the decision were taken to pursue a vaccination program without pre-emptive culling, the use of a marker vaccine and the accompanying discriminatory test would be the first choice, as it allows epidemiological investigations in the vaccinated herds during the outbreak. With the official recognition of the discriminatory test based on the E2 vaccine / Erns test concept, a complete marker system is now available, consisting of the Erns test, supplied by Bommeli Diagnostics, and the E2 vaccine, supplied by its parent company Intervet International.
Since the situation would be considered an emergency, in which the vaccine would be used immediately, it would be prudent to establish vaccine banks and maintain emergency stocks of the vaccine and the diagnostic test for the future.
Note for the editor:
Intervet, a business unit of Akzo Nobel, headquartered in Boxmeer, The Netherlands, with sales of EUR 1,081 million in 2002, is focused on the research and development, manufacturing and marketing of veterinary products. Products include vaccines for the prevention of infectious diseases, anti-infectives, anti-parasitics, pharmaceutical specialities and products for fertility management. All of these products are intended for use in a variety of animal species, including poultry, pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, fish and companion animals. Intervet operates globally with its own marketing organizations. The company currently employs around 5,000 people.
Internet:www.intervet.com
Akzo Nobel, based in the Netherlands, serves customers throughout the world with healthcare products, coatings and chemicals. Consolidated sales for 2002 totaled EUR 14 billion. The Company currently employs approximately 65,200 people in more than 80 countries. Financial results for 2003 will be published on February 3, 2004.
Internet:www.akzonobel.com
For further information please contact:
Sabine Schueller Tel: +31 (0)485 587085
Communications & Public Affairs Fax: +31 (0)485 585392
Intervet International bv
communications@intervet.com
