Dear Colleagues,
We have about ten contributions specifically concerning the main themes for PPR-GREN. The emphasis from these submissions is shown in this next table.
Laboratory research Epidemiology* Socio-economic impact Implementation Co-ordination Vaccine and related issues Diagnosis Contingency plans
7 10 8 7 7 7 7 2
*Includes Dr Richard Kock’s contribution on PPR in species other than sheep and goats.
I have some suggestions for a limited number of thematic groups. I think they incorporate the above, they are not cast in stone, and the number is not fixed.
· Justification (for global progressive control of PPR)
· Coordination and implementation of a global strategy (the final strategy to be developed and elaborated by the “OIE-FAO GF-TADS Working Group on PPR” using input from PPR-GREN.
· Disease surveillance and epidemiology
· Immunity and vaccination
· Improved laboratory-based technologies
I have deliberately chosen the terms disease surveillance and immunity to start topics 3 and 4 above. To me these are the two effector arms of progressive control with disease surveillance and its interpretation dependent on our understanding of the epidemiology of PPR, and immunity the mechanism that eliminates the virus and which we induce with strategically applied vaccine.
One of the intended outputs from this e-conference or PPR-GREN is to promote innovation and research. All five of these themes will require either cutting edge laboratory science and/or analytical and innovative thinking. Very briefly, Justification will benefit from detailed socio-economic analysis that is not currently available. Coordination and implementation needs serious thinking outside the box if we are to address the hundreds of millions of animals that we will target as well as the training and stakeholder involvement that will be needed. Disease surveillance and epidemiology has a big requirement for new knowledge about the biology of the virus itself and the disease it causes, on the role of other species, clinical signs, mild disease, and computer modelling to name a few. Diagnosis (clinical and laboratory based) would fall within this theme because it backstops disease surveillance. Immunity and vaccination needs research into
the effect on herd immunity of small ruminant replacement rates, the best methods of vaccine delivery in targeted areas, how best to protect livestock in non-target areas, appropriate seromonitoring, production and QC of exisiting vaccines, and so on. Improved laboratory-based technologies will focus on the development of new vaccines and new diagnostics, their field trials and extension. Understandably, there will considerable interaction between groups.
Separately, I hope to take one of the ten submissions and show how the themes suggested by it might fit into the ones I suggest above.
I look forward to your comments, favourable and otherwise.
Kind regards,
Paul Rossiter, Moderator.
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