Laboratory Twinning – a tool to Laboratory Twinning – a tool to improve global disease securityimprove global disease security

Keith Hamilton

World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)

• An intergovernmental organisation, founded in 1924

• 178 Members Countries • Headquarters in Paris, France

6 Regional offices 6 Regional sub offices

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OIE International Standards

Terrestrial Animal Health Code – mammals, birds and bees

Terrestrial Animal Health Code – mammals, birds and bees

Aquatic Animal Health Code – fish, molluscs and crustaceans

Aquatic Animal Health Code – fish, molluscs and crustaceans

Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals

Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals

Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals

Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals

OIE Quality Standard and Guidelines for Veterinary Laboratories:

Infectious Diseases

OIE Quality Standard and Guidelines for Veterinary Laboratories:

Infectious Diseases

Available in 3 languages and on the OIE website

Mandate of an OIE Reference LaboratoryMandate of an OIE Reference Laboratory(disease based)(disease based)

• Centre of expertise and standardisation – develop and uphold OIE Standards

• Technical advice, diagnostic services and training

• Confirmatory testing, pathogen isolation and characterisation - report positive findings to the international community

• Develop new diagnostic tests

• Publish and disseminate useful information

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mandate

Mandate of an OIE Collaborating CentresMandate of an OIE Collaborating Centres(competence based)(competence based)

• Centre of research, expertise, standardisation and dissemination of techniques

• Provide technical advice and training

• Develop new techniques and procedures

• Publish and disseminate useful information

• Place expert consultants at the disposal of OIE

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mandate

The twinning conceptThe twinning concept

Sustainable enhancement of capacity and expertise by supporting

a link between

an OIE RL or CC (parent) and

a national laboratory (candidate)

Aims and objectives - expertiseAims and objectives - expertise

• To build scientific communities and improve compliance with OIE standards

• Improved access to high quality diagnostics and technical assistance for more OIE Member

• Eventually for some Candidates to apply for ‘reference’ status

• To help countries to enter scientific debate on an equal footing with others

Aims and objectives - networkingAims and objectives - networking

• Extend the OIE network of expertise to provide better global geographical coverage for priority diseases in priority areas

• To form long and lasting links between the two institutes

• Strengthen global disease surveillance networks

• To strengthen national scientific networks

ScopeScope

• Project length is 1-3 years

• For OIE listed diseases or topics

• Focus on expertise

• No funding for hardware or upgrading of facilities

• Ultimate aim to reach OIE reference status

OIE Standards and guidelines for biosafety and biosecurity in veterinary laboratories

To protect health of staff, the general public, animal populations, the environment, and the pathogen

http://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/tahm/1.1.02_BIOSAFETY.pdf

Steps after twinningSteps after twinning

• Engaging with the international scientific community

• Joining disease networks

• Joint research opportunities

• Applying for OIE Reference Laboratory status

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http://www.oie.int/en/support-to-oie-members/laboratory-twinning/