Dr' Erdal Erol

1
EU Biosecurity and Food Animal Diseases Turkey
as a Gateway

• Dr. Erdal Erol
• TVMDL, Texas AM University, College Station, TX

2
A Global Problem in food safety emerging and
re-emerging animal diseases

• BSE, FMD, Avian Influenza, WNV, Bluetongue,
  Rinderpest etc.
• Extensive trade live animals, especially from
  middle east to West and, from South to North.
• An increase in international travel and tourism.
• Climate change may further increase the
  possibility of disease spread.

3
Impact of animal diseases on food safety

• Many animal diseases are zoonotic and therefore
  are major public health problems.
• Introduction of highly contagious diseases
  continues to devastate economies, social
  structures and the environment.
• Food animal diseases are a major constraint to
  production in developing countries and continue
  to be one of the major constraints to improving
  livelihoods.

4
Foot-and-Mouth Disease

• Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is always one the
  best examples in biosecurity discussions.
• Every disease is economic to some extent, but FMD
  is nearly a purely economic disease. Its worst
  effects are caused by fear of the economic
  consequences of its spread.

5
(No Transcript)
6
Another example is Avian influenza
7
(No Transcript)
8
Turkey (a candidate for EU) a gateway to food
animal disease introductions from the Middle
East, as well as a major migratory route for wild
birds that can carry disease agents. 
9
Recent efforts of Turkey

• Control and eradicate the diseases in the
  Gateway.
• A viable veterinary organization
• Transparency All outbreaks are declared.
• Lab conditions have been improved.

10
Importance of early detection in Gateways and
migratory routes

• Rapid detection of outbreaks allow us to
  implement control and eradication measures before
  the diseases spread to other locations.
• Therefore, effective, reliable and fast
  diagnostic tests are crucial.
• New molecular tests (PCR, Real-time PCR) have
  been implemented.

11
Importance of early detection in Gateways

• Quick and reliable diagnosis in an appropriate
  lab environment.
• Biosafety level-3 laboratories and new molecular
  diagnostic assays (PCR, real-time PCR) are
  important to success.
• Vaccines are part of the plan.

12
Why laboratory biosafety practices?

• Protection of
• - workers
• - products
• - lab support personnel
• - environment

13
Biosafety levels

• BSL1 - agents not known to cause disease in
  humans or animals therefore no or low individual
  and community risk (e.g most molds).
• BSL2 - agents that cause human or animal
  diseases with low to moderate individual or
  community risk (e.g. blood borne diseases).
• BSL3 - agents associated with human disease and
  with potential for aerosol transmission - high
  individual risk (e.g. respiratory diseases) but
  low community risk.
• BSL4 - dangerous/exotic agents of life
  threatening nature serious diseases (e.g.
  smallpox) that are easily transmitted .

14
EU support to build BSL 3 laboratories in Turkey

• 3 Major labs in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir.
• To diagnose AI, END, FMD and other high
  consequence diseases.
• Not only labs but equipment as well.
• Technical assistance is being provided by FAO, EU
  and USDA.

15
(No Transcript)
16
(No Transcript)
17
(No Transcript)
18
(No Transcript)
19
Mandatory Vaccination for FMDV in European
Turkey
20
Texas another example as a gateway to food
animal disease introductions  
21
Texas The long boundary with Mexico

• Texas is considered by the USDA as the most
  likely state in the union to have an outbreak of
  avian influenza (AI), because of the long border
  with Mexico, and the flight path of migrating
  birds.
• The other major threats to food safety and
  security are FMD, CSFV, END.

22
Preparedness to a high consequence disease in
Texas

• Training of key personnel in Plum Island and
  National lab, Ames, Iowa
• Proficiency tests for AI, CSF, FMD, etc
• Exercises
• Should we try joint exercises with European
  diagnosticians?

23
TVMDL
24
BSL-3 Lab
25
A mobile unit for animal disease outbreaks
26
Summary the keys to success

• Turkey and Texas have viable animal disease
  health organizations in their regions.
• Must stop the diseases at the gateways.
• Reliable and early testing, including
  surveillance, not only for food safety but also
  for safe trade
• Transparency
• Exchange of information

27

• Thank you for your patience.
• Any questions?