BC reportable animal zoonoses program

Eleni Galanis, MD MPH FRCPC

BC Zoonoses SymposiumNov 10 2015

Rationale Increase knowledge and awareness of

zoonotic diseases in animals to prevent and mitigate human illness

Background 2006: BCVMA asked PHO which animal

zoonoses should be reported to PH 2007-8: WG determined reportable zoonoses 2009: list of 14 zoonoses approved by BC

Communicable Disease Policy Adv Cmte 2010-14: WG developed PH guidelines 2015: launch of program

BC reportable zoonoses in animals Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Brucellosis (Brucella abortus, melitensis, suis) Chlamydiosis (Chlamydophila psittaci), psittacosis in humans Influenza A in swine Influenza H5 and H7 Plague (Yersinia pestis) Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) Rabies Trichinosis (Trichinella spiralis) Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis, tuberculosis ) Tularemia (Francisella tularensis) West Nile Virus Zoonotic Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers

BC reportable zoonoses in animalsNew or unusual animal diseases or disease cluster with potential public health significanceZoonotic or potentially zoonotic diseases in animals that

have never or rarely been observed in BC (new or emerging) or

appear in a new species or show evidence of higher pathogenicity than expected (unusual) or

appear in a higher than expected number of animals clustered in time or space (cluster)

Guidelineswww.bccdc.ca/dis-cond/comm-manual/CDManualChap1.htm

GuidelinesDisease chapters

Principles Facilitate collaboration in reporting and

responding to an animal zoonotic disease Vets and PH to discuss cases PH to inform CVO if media planned

Respect for authority and mandate of agencies involved CFIA role in notifications and management Animal diagnostic information and farm (business)

information is confidential

Legal framework Reporting of animal cases of zoonotic diseases

governed by the Reportable and Notifiable Disease Regulation, pursuant to the BC Animal Health Act [2014]

Reports made to the CVO who shares the reports with the PHO or delegate under the Information Sharing Agreement for the Sharing of Zoonotic Communicable Disease Reports from the CVO to the PHO or Delegate [2015]

Reporting process

Lab Veterinarian

PHO

(BCCDC)

Medical Health Officer

2. Risk assessment, management and communication*

CVO

1. Discussion of case

3. Report

Reporting of case

Actions taken by PH

4. Share findings

*Involves discussion with animal health and public health experts as needed

Reporting timelines Immediately

Rabies Influenza H5 and H7 VHF

Within 24h All others

Reporting variables Etiology or diagnosis Animal species Location of animal Contact information of owner

2015 cases1. C. burnetti (Q fever) in cow in FHA in Jan

2. Blastomycosis in panda in FHA in Aug

3. Psittacosis in birds in FHA in Sep

4. 10 bat cases of rabies

“The sharing of information about human zoonotic diseases by public health authorities with animal health authorities can also improve our understanding and control of these diseases in animals and should be endeavoured.”

Acknowledgments Brian Radke Robert Cooper Jason Stone Marcus Lem William Osei Helen Schwantje Brian Emerson John Brocklebank Janice Bridgland Lori McClenaghan Jennifer Jeyes

Ken Cooper Mira Leslie Jane Pritchard Greg Tone Sue Pollock Vicky Bowes Muhammad Morshed Larry Gustafson Ron Lewis Andrew Deonarine Nataliya Skuridina

Method to determine reportability National criteria for human disease reportability modified

to suit zoonotic diseases in animals (Doherty CCDR 2006) BC human reportable zoonoses included for review Diseases scored according to each of modified criteria Average scores were derived and added Diseases ranked according to total score Ranking reviewed for consistency Threshold for reportability based on national threshold and

on attaining practical number of reportable diseases