Chapter 1
Suggested format and contents of a national rinderpest contingency plan

A rinderpest contingency plan should be a well-articulated strategy document that defines the actions to be taken in the event of a rinderpest emergency. It should contain details of the resources required to meet such an emergency and an action plan for rapid, efficient deployment of human and material resources for containment of the disease and elimination of infection. While it is not feasible to produce a model contingency plan that will be a perfect fit for the various circumstances in different countries, the format and contents described below should serve as guidelines for individual countries to design their national rinderpest contingency plans. It is suggested that a national rinderpest contingency plan should contain the following elements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISEASE

This section should describe the essential features of rinderpest such as:

• aetiology;
• epidemiological features;
• clinical signs;
• pathology;
• diagnosis: field, differential and laboratory;
• risk assessment of possible rinderpest invasion of the country.

While most of these aspects could be used almost unchanged, others need to be modified to reflect the circumstances in individual countries. The risk analysis of possible rinderpest invasion and the risk profile will vary from country to country. This section may include maps and illustrations showing administrative borders and neighbouring countries that may be sources of rinderpest infection.

NATIONAL POLICY AND RATIONALE

A national policy on rinderpest control and eradication based on the status of the disease, the results of risk analysis of rinderpest invasion and the available human and material resources should then be selected from these options:

• option one: stamping out;
• option two: modified stamping out and ring vaccination;
• option three: elimination by quarantine and emergency vaccination.

STRATEGIES FOR RINDERPEST CONTROL AND ELIMINATION

It will be desirable to describe a combination of strategies based on the national policy that will be used for rinderpest control and eradication and to:

• describe zoning policy;
• describe criteria for defining infected and disease control zones;
• describe activities to be carried out in the various zones, including tracing, surveillance, slaughter and compensation, disposal of carcasses, decontamination and vaccination (if applicable);
• state alternative disease control and eradication strategies and define situations where these alternative options would be used;
• describe strategies for dealing with special circumstances such as nomadism, transhumance and the inaccessibility of some areas, wherever these are applicable.

ORGANIZATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS DURING A RINDERPEST EMERGENCY CAMPAIGN

Describe here statutory and ad hoc committees or arrangements for dealing with a rinderpest emergency, such as the following:

• national animal disease emergency planning committee;
• consultative committee on emergency animal diseases;
• rinderpest expert team;
• national animal disease control centre;
• local animal disease control centre(s);
• training arrangements;
• public awareness arrangements.

SUPPORT PLANS

These will be required to provide the backing necessary for implementation of the rinderpest contingency plan. They should include:

• legislation;
• financial plans;
• early warning capabilities;
• resources including equipment and diagnostic laboratories with links to regional and world reference laboratories;
• contingency plans for vaccines and vaccination.

ACTION PLAN

This sets out the activities to be performed by key personnel in the event of a rinderpest emergency. It should clearly indicate:

• the command chain;
• a description of roles during various phases of rinderpest control and elimination; investigation, alert, operational and stand-down;
• criteria for proof of rinderpest elimination.

APPENDIX

A list of names and contact addresses, including the telephone numbers, fax and e-mail addresses of the following, could be placed in the appendix:

• national laboratory for rinderpest diagnosis;
• regional and world reference laboratories for rinderpest;
• international organizations for possible assistance;
• national animal health laws;
• any other information relevant to the individual country.