Avian Flu
Diagnostic Kits for Avian Influenza
& Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Get Green Light
Paris , 13
February 2008 - The BioChek Avian Influenza
Antibody and Prionics® Check Western diagnostic kits got
a positive recommendation by the Commission for
Biological Standards of the World Organisation for
Animal Health (OIE).
Both kits still have to
receive approval from the General Assembly of the 172
Member Countries national delegates in May at the OIE 76
th General Session, to obtain the final “Fitness for
Purpose” stamp. In that case, they will be included to
the OIE register of diagnostic kits and the laboratory
authorised to stamp the OIE logo on any document or
equipment associated with the test (including for
example the commercial box containing the diagnostic
kit). The validation and certification status is to be
renewed every five years, a procedure designed to ensure
the OIE official certification answers high quality
requirements.
The biological standards
Commission recommended the BioChek Avian Influenza
Antibody test kit be included to the OIE register in
“fit for the serological diagnosis in chickens of type A
avian influenza (specific to IgG in the serum) and for
the following purposes:
-
Demonstrate historical freedom
from infection in a defined population
(country/zone/compartment/flock)
-
Demonstrate re-establishment of
freedom after outbreaks in a defined population
(country/zone/compartment/flock)
-
Confirmatory diagnosis of
suspect or clinical cases
-
Estimate prevalence of infection
to facilitate risk analysis in non vaccinated
populations (surveys/flock health
schemes/disease control)
-
Determine immune status in
individual animals or populations
(post-vaccination)”
The Commission recommended
the Prionics® Check Western be included as “fit in
cattle for:
-
Confirmatory diagnosis of
suspect or clinical cases (includes confirmation
of positive screening test) in sensible animal
populations
-
Estimate prevalence of infection
to facilitate risk analysis (surveys/herd health
schemes/disease control, implementation of
disease control measures) and to assist the
demonstration of the efficiency of control
policies.
-
To confirm a non-negative test
result obtained during active surveillance with
a different type of test.”
Background
Since 2007, the OIE studies the applications of
diagnostic kits, or assays, submitted for approval at
the annual General Assembly in May. It bases on
recommendations given by experts and the OIE Biological
Standards Commission to give its official and final
vote. This new OIE procedure for validation and
certification of assays was launched in May 2005.
The procedure was decided
upon in order to palliate the confusion experienced by
some Member Countries in face of the myriad diagnostic
kits available on the world market for animal diseases,
some of which have proven to be ineffective. Open to
both public and private laboratories producing
diagnostic kits the procedure is a critical element in
animal diseases prevention and control for trade of
animals and animal products or disease surveillance
purposes worldwide.
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Satellite Re-Entry
Potential Health Effects
Associated with Hydrazine and Satellite Reentry
The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) is collaborating with federal
partners to address potential health and safety threats
associated with the reentry of an uncontrolled U.S. government
satellite into the earth’s atmosphere within the next few weeks.
Because the satellite’s fuel contains the toxic chemical
hydrazine, it is possible that the reentry of the
satellite could pose a public health threat if pieces of it fall
into populated areas. The risk of health effects related to the
satellite is considered to be low. However, CDC is encouraging
health officials and clinicians to review information about the
health effects related to hydrazine to prepare in case their
communities are affected by satellite debris.
Hydrazine is a clear, colorless
liquid with an ammonia-like odor. Hydrazine is highly reactive
and easily catches fire. It can easily evaporate to the air and
can dissolve in water. In soil, hydrazine may stick to
particles. In each of these forms hydrazine breaks down quickly
into less harmful compounds.
People can be exposed to
hydrazine by breathing contaminated air, dermal contact, or
ingestion. Breathing hydrazine may cause coughing and irritation
of the throat and lungs, convulsions, tremors, or seizures.
Dermal contact may cause redness, pain, and burns. Eating or
drinking small amounts of hydrazine may cause nausea, vomiting,
uncontrolled shaking, inflammation of the nerves, drowsiness, or
coma.
Additional information about
hydrazine can be found at
http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/hydrazine/, including the
following topics:
Frequently asked questions about
hydrazine (www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts100.html)
Toxicologic & adverse health
effect information about hydrazine (www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp100.html)
NIOSH Pocket Safety guide to
chemical hazards on hydrazine (www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0329.html)
Chemical Emergencies Overview
http://emergency.cdc.gov/chemical/overview.asp
Emergency preparedness (http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/)
Because we do not know yet where
the satellite or satellite debris will land or the scope of any
health risks associated with the satellite’s reentry, CDC will
be updating its website and providing the public health work
force, clinicians, and the general public with more information
as it becomes available.
You may also call CDC toll free
at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) for more information.
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