Camelpox

OIE Reference Laboratory Reports

Activities in 2011

Name of disease (or topic) for which you are a designated OIE Reference Laboratory: /

Camelpox

Address of laboratory: / Central Veterinary Research Laboratory
PO Box 597
Dubai
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Tel.: / + 971 4 337 5165
Fax: /
+ 971 4 336 8638
e-mail address: /
website: / www.cvrl.ae
Name of Head of Laboratory (Responsible Official): /

Priv. Doz. Dr Dr habil. Ulrich Wernery

Name of OIE Reference Expert: /

Priv. Doz. Dr Dr habil. Ulrich Wernery

Name of writer of this report
(if different from above): /

Priv. Doz. Dr Dr habil. Ulrich Wernery


Part I: Summary of general activities related to the disease

1. Test(s) in use/or available for the specified disease/topic at your laboratory

Test / For / Specificity / Total
ELISA / Antibody / Group / 1,00
SNT / Antibody / Group / 1,000

Culture on Vero and Dubca cell lines

/ Virus isolation / Strain / 10

PCR

/ Strain / Strain / 10

2. Production and distribution of diagnostic reagents

Type of reagent / Amount supplied nationally
(including for own use) / Amount supplied to other countries
Camel pox field strains / 5 / 0
Antigens for ELISA test / 0 / 0

Part II: Activities specifically related to the mandate
of OIE Reference Laboratories

3. International harmonisation and standardisation of methods for diagnostic testing or the production and testing of vaccines

Dubca cell line and Ducapox, an attenuated camelpox vaccine have been developed many years ago and the vaccine is not any longer commercially available at Onderstepoort, South Africa, because of the small quantity of orders. However in 2011, CVRL has produced several hundred doses of Ducapox vaccine for use in the UAE, but not for other camel rearing countries. Due to the lack of rain over the last years, no major camelpox outbreak has been experienced in our area.

4. Preparation and supply of international reference standards for diagnostic tests or vaccines

None

5. Research and development of new procedures for diagnosis and control

In 2011, United Arab Emirates has not experienced any camelpox outbreak; however, CVRL conducted a survey for the evaluation of camelpox antibody status in camel population from different areas of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with serum neutralization test (SNT) and indirect ELISA. Out of 1000 camel sera tested in SNT, 83% of the camels possess high serum neutralizing antibodies. ELISA results also show a high seroprevalence of 89%. The high seroprevalence can be explained by the continuous use of the Ducapox vaccine or the possible disease prevalence in previous years.

For the commercial distribution of Ducapox a suitable company is currently being evaluated.

6. Collection, analysis and dissemination of epizootiological data relevant to international disease control

CVRL has started collecting camel ticks (Hyalomma dromedarii) to study their role in spreading camelpox. Ticks are tested in cell culture as well as with PCR. So far ticks were collected from 10 different parts of the UAE and tested negative for the presence of camelpox virus.

7. Maintenance of a system of quality assurance, biosafety and biosecurity relevant to the pathogen and the disease concerned

Biosafety is guaranteed by working in Class II Type A2 biological safety cabinets, which are submitted to regular professional maintenance. Until recently the general opinion was that camelpox cannot infect humans, but now research in India has shown that camelpox can be zoonotic.

8. Provision of consultant expertise to OIE or to OIE Members

None

9. Provision of scientific and technical training to personnel from other OIE Members

In 2011, CVRL, as parent Institute and Veterinary Type Culture Collection, Hisar, Haryana, India as candidate institute, together prepared a twinning project plan, which is ready to be submitted to the OIE soon.

10. Provision of diagnostic testing facilities to other OIE Members

None

11. Organisation of international scientific meetings on behalf of OIE or other international bodies

None

12. Participation in international scientific collaborative studies

None

13. Publication and dissemination of information relevant to the work of OIE (including list of scientific publications, internet publishing activities, presentations at international conferences)

None

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Annual reports of OIE Reference Laboratories and Collaborating Centres, 2011 3