AGRICULTURAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE
PLAN TEMPLATE
Explanatory Notes
The following agricultural emergency response plan template is designed to assist
countries and territories to develop an agricultural emergency response plan to suit
their national needs and situation. Indicative headings, content and layout are
included in the template but these can be modified or deleted to suit the individual
needs of a country or territory. Similarly it is likely that a country/territory will
need to include additional content, charts or diagrams not present in the template.
The operational detail of this template (including attachments) is drafted primarily
as an emergency animal disease response plan. In developing a comprehensive
agriculture emergency response plan (ie one which covers both animal and plant
disease emergencies), each country /territory will need to decide whether it’s needs
will be best served by developing a separate emergency plant disease response plan
or whether to modify this template to address both animal and plant disease
emergencies.
For assistance and/or advice in using this agricultural emergency response plan
template please contact any of the following persons:
Ken Cokanasiga (kenc@spc.int)
Andrew Tukana (andrewt@spc.int)
David Thomson (davidt@spc.int)
Ilagi Puana (ilagip@spc.int)
Laurie Fooks (laurief@spc.int)
Ian Peebles (ianp@spc.int)
SPC would appreciate receiving constructive feedback on how the template may be
improved in terms of its content and usefulness as a tool to assist emergency
response planning for an agricultural emergency.
SPC Animal Health & Production
(SPC, Fiji Islands)
11 February 2009
i
TEMPLATE v1.1_ERPT (11 Feb09)
[Pacific Island Country/Territory name]
AGRICULTURE EMERGENCY
RESPONSE PLAN (TEMPLATE)
(AgERPLAN)
Sub-plan of the [insert name of plan eg National Disaster Plan]
ii
RATIONALE AND AUTHORISATION
This Agriculture Emergency Response Plan describes the arrangements in
place in [insert name of PICT] for the management and coordination of an
emergency response to an outbreak of a pest or disease that would have
serious consequences on agriculture, food security, public health,
environment and/or public amenity if it became established.
The [insert name of PICT] is/are free from many highly contagious animal
diseases (such as avian influenza and foot and mouth disease), that can
have severe effects on animal health and welfare (eg mass mortalities,
clinical disease, loss of production) as well as significant public health
consequences when the disease agents are transmissible to humans (eg
zoonotic diseases such as rabies, avian influenza, Nipah virus).
Similarly the introduction of invasive plant pests and diseases can have
serious socio-economic and environmental consequences that place
significant constraints on the sustainability of agricultural production
systems, reduce food security and diminish community resilience.
In addition to serving our national interest, the emergency eradication of
incursions of serious pests and diseases from [insert name of PICT] will also
benefit our partner countries and territories in the Pacific Island Region,
through the removal of serious biosecurity threats that could potentially
spread to their shores. Therefore, emergency eradication, when feasible,
will be the primary objective in responding to the detection of an emergency
pest or disease in [insert name of PICT].
This plan highlights that the [insert name of lead agency, Ministry of Agriculture] is the
lead agency responsible for responding to emergency pests and diseases
in [insert name of PICT].. This plan has been developed through consultation
with stakeholders across a range of sectors (government, non-government
organisations, industry, community) and identifies the agreed roles and
responsibilities of key support agencies in the event of a pest or disease
emergency.
1
The underlying strategy of this emergency response plan is that
immediately following the detection of an outbreak of an emergency pest or
disease, an emergency response will be established to:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
investigate and determine the extent of an outbreak;
establish quarantine measures at affected sites to contain the pest
or disease;
identify the likely source of the outbreak; and
assess the feasibility of eradication being achieved.
The national [insert name of relevant committee, eg Emergency Response Management
Committee ] – chaired by the [insert position details, eg Permanent Secretary of Ministry of
Agriculture] will consider all available information obtained by the emergency
response team to evaluate the feasibility of eradicating the pest or disease.
Where emergency eradication is considered to be feasible, the Emergency
Response Management Committee will be responsible for establishing an emergency
eradication campaign and for monitoring it’s progress.
The legislative basis in [insert name of PICT] for emergency response measures
for pests and diseases of plants and animals (such as quarantine
measures, destruction of infected plants or livestock) is provided in [insert
reference to legislation relevant to an animal health emergency].
The availability of appropriate arrangements for the replacement of crops,
produce and/or livestock that must be destroyed as part of an emergency
eradication campaign is an important consideration in facilitating the
cooperation of affected communities. Under this plan the [insert name of
committee, eg Emergency Response Management Committee] is responsible for determining
whether or not replacement arrangements for crops or livestock should be
provided to affected producers, and if so, the nature and level of
replacement and the administrative arrangements for implementation.
Where national resources are inadequate to address the operational needs
of an emergency response, [insert name of PICT] will notify the Secretariat of the
Pacific Community of its need for regional assistance to effectively manage
a pest or disease emergency.
This plan has been agreed by the [insert name of emergency management body, eg
National Disaster Management Organisation] and will be reviewed and updated on an
ongoing basis as required.
2
RECOMMENDED
..............................................................
[insert details of office holder, eg Minister for Agriculture]
Dated:
ENDORSED
...............................................................
[insert details of office holder, eg Prime Minister & Cabinet]
Dated:
GAZETTED [insert relevant reference]
3
AMENDMENTS
The [insert name of Department or Ministry] is responsible for maintaining, updating and
distributing amended versions of this animal health emergency response plan to all stakeholders.
Proposals for amendments to the contents of this Animal Health Emergency Response Plan are
to be forwarded to:
Title
Agency (eg Dept of Agriculture)
Postal address
City, Country
e-mail address:
Version history
Date
Draft Version 1.1F (2Feb09)
Draft Version 1.1_ERPT (5Feb09)
2-Feb-09 – (restricted circulation)
5-Feb-09 – (minor edits to Dft. V 1.1)
DISTRIBUTION
This Animal Health Emergency Response plan has been distributed either electronically or in
hard copy (as indicated) to the agencies noted in the table below. Organisations and individuals
should confirm they have the latest copy by checking the current version at: (website address to
be provided)
4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXPLANATORY NOTES .............................................................................................................. I
DEFINITIONS .............................................................................................................................. 7
ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................................................................... 10
1.
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 11
2.
AIM ...................................................................................................................................... 12
3.
POLICY CONTEXT .......................................................................................................... 12
4.
AUTHORITY AND LEGISLATIVE BASIS TO ACT .................................................. 13
5.
PHASES OF ACTIVATION ............................................................................................. 13
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
INVESTIGATION PHASE .................................................................................................... 14
ALERT PHASE .................................................................................................................. 14
OPERATIONAL PHASE ..................................................................................................... 14
STAND-DOWN PHASE ..................................................................................................... 18
RECOVERY PHASE........................................................................................................... 20
6.
COMMAND AND CONTROL STRUCTURE ............................................................... 21
7.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................................ 22
7.1 INVESTIGATION PHASE ..................................................................................................... 22
7.1.1 Lead Agency ......................................................................................................... 22
7.2 ALERT PHASE................................................................................................................... 22
7.2.1 Lead Agency ......................................................................................................... 22
7.2.2 Support Agencies - Regional ............................................................................... 23
7.3 OPERATIONAL PHASE ....................................................................................................... 23
7.3.1 Lead Agency ......................................................................................................... 23
7.3.2 Emergency Services ............................................................................................. 24
7.3.3 Livestock Industry Associations and Authorities ............................................... 25
7.3.4 Community Organisations and Volunteer Groups ............................................. 25
7.3.5 Secretariat of Pacific Community ....................................................................... 25
7.4 STAND-DOWN PHASE ...................................................................................................... 25
7.4.1 Lead Agency ......................................................................................................... 26
7.4.2 Emergency Services ............................................................................................. 26
7.5 INITIAL RECOVERY PHASE ............................................................................................... 26
7.5.1 Lead Agency ......................................................................................................... 26
7.5.2 Environmental Services ....................................................................................... 27
7.5.3 Welfare Services ................................................................................................... 27
8.
COORDINATION OF OPERATIONS............................................................................ 28
8.1 COORDINATION - NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL................................................................ 28
8.2 OPERATIONAL UNITS ...................................................................................................... 30
8.2.1 Disease Investigation and Tracing Unit ............................................................. 30
5
8.2.2 Restricted Area Movement & Security Unit........................................................ 31
8.2.3 Infected Premises Operations .............................................................................. 32
8.2.4 Planning, Logistics and Communication Unit ................................................... 32
8.2.5 Staffing Strategy ................................................................................................... 33
8.3 COORDINATION – REGIONAL .......................................................................................... 36
9. COMMUNICATIONS ........................................................................................................... 38
10. ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS ........................................................................... 38
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
FINANCE ....................................................................................................................... 38
POLICY FOR REPLACEMENT OF LIVESTOCK.................................................................... 39
LOGISTIC SUPPORT ........................................................................................................ 39
PUBLIC INFORMATION .................................................................................................. 40
TESTING AND REVIEW .................................................................................................. 40
11. APPENDICES ....................................................................................................................... 41
12. REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................... 57
6
DEFINITIONS
Agent
In this plan, an agent is any micro-organism or other pest that is recognized as the cause of an
emergency animal disease. Typically an agent will be highly infectious, readily transmissible
between susceptible animals and have significant impacts on the health of infected animals.
Animal Health Emergency
In this plan, an animal health emergency exists when one or more animals are infected with, or
infested by, the causal agent of an emergency animal disease.
Emergency Response Management Committee
This is the committee that has overall responsibility for management of an animal health
emergency and will typically include persons in government departments/agencies who have
executive decision making authority.
Field Response Operational Groups
This is the team that carries out emergency disease control operations when an animal health
emergency exists. Its composition may change but it will typically include personnel from the
lead agency plus additional personnel from support agencies.
Animal Product
Any item, material or product of animal origin for which there are legislative provisions that
enable it to be subject to quarantine.
Area
A defined tract of land subject to restrictions under emergency animal disease legislation.

Restricted Area (RA): A defined area that surrounds infected and dangerous contact premises, in
which stringent conditions apply to the movement of specified animals, animal products, fodder,
fittings and vehicles, and to the operation of risk enterprises.

Control Area (CA): A defined area that surrounds the RA, in which less stringent conditions
apply to the movement of specified animals and animal products and to the operation of risk
enterprises.
Decontamination
Cleaning and disinfection operations designed to eliminate a pest or disease agent.
Disease Control Headquarters (DCHQ)
The operations centre from which emergency disease control actions are controlled and
coordinated, and in which all policy decisions are taken or confirmed.
Disposal
Sanitary removal of animal carcasses and contaminated materials by burial, burning or some
other process to prevent the spread of infection.
7
Emergency Animal Disease
A serious disease of animals (including mammals, birds, fish and bees) that does not normally
occur in [insert name of PICT]. An emergency animal disease may also be one that does occur
in [insert name of PICT] but is limited in its distribution; its detection in animals outside its
known (or expected) distribution range would constitute an animal health emergency.
Emergency animal diseases are also commonly referred to as trans-boundary animal diseases and
examples include foot and mouth disease, classical swine fever, rabies, and Newcastle disease. In
this plan the term emergency animal disease also includes disease caused by infestation by pests
that cause significant impacts on animal health (eg screw worm fly).
Eradication
Refers to the elimination of disease and its causative agent from an affected country or territory.
Fittings
Means any stall, box cage, enclosure, pen or material used for penning, yarding or the containing
of any animal, and includes any equipment, harness, saddlery, rope, bucket, trough, bedding,
utensil and implement used in the handling, keeping or storage of animals, animals products or
feedstuffs.
Head of Agriculture (Animals)
The Director (or equivalent) of Agriculture with prime responsibility for animal disease control
within [insert PICT name].
Incident
In this plan, an incident refers to the suspected occurrence of an animal health emergency.
Lead Agency
The agency that has primary responsibility for responding to a particular emergency. For an
animal health emergency in [insert PICT name] it is [insert name of agency, eg the Ministry of Agriculture] .
Local Disease Control Centre (LDCC)
The operations centre from which all field operations aimed at containing and eliminating an
emergency animal disease from a specific locality are controlled and coordinated.
Movement Control
Restrictions placed on movement of animals, animal products, feedstuffs, fittings, vehicles or
people to prevent spread of disease.
Operations
In this Plan, operations refer to the activities directed at controlling or eradicating a disease.
Premises, property or place
Includes land, buildings, yards and other structures where animals are held.
8

Dangerous Contact Premises (DCP): Premises containing animals showing no clinical signs of
disease but, due to possible exposure to infection, may be subject to full disease control measures.

Infected Premises (IP): Premises in which an emergency animal disease or its infective agent
exists or is believed to exist. IPs are subject to full disease control measures.

Suspect Premises (SP): Premises containing animals that may have been exposed to an
emergency animal disease agent. SPs are quarantined and intensively monitored for a period of
time. Provided there is no evidence of infection, SPs may subsequently be released from
quarantine.
Proof of Freedom
Surveillance activities undertaken in accordance with internationally accepted requirements specified by
the World Organisation for Animal Health.
Quarantine
Legal restrictions imposed on a premises or area (by the serving of a notice) that limit movement in or out
of specified animals, animal products, feedstuffs, fittings and vehicles.
Rehabilitation
Process of adjustment to circumstances prevailing after an incursion of an emergency animal disease.
Risk Enterprise
A livestock or livestock-related enterprise with a high potential for rapid dissemination of an infectious
disease agent, eg an abattoir, milk factory, egg grading floor, artificial breeding centre, livestock market
or livestock transport.
Stamping Out
Eradication procedures based on the slaughter of all infected and ‘in-contact’ animals with the aim of
eliminating the disease agent of concern.
Support Plan
A plan detailing the role, type and extent of resources committed, and internal procedures for a supporting
agency (agencies).
Surveillance
A program of investigation designed to establish the presence, extent of, or absence of a specified disease,
or the presence, abundance and distribution of specified wild animals.
Tracing
The process of locating animals, animal products, feedstuffs, fittings and vehicles that may be involved in
the spread of disease so that appropriate action can be taken.
Wild animals
Includes wild animals, rodents and other vertebrate pests.
9
ABBREVIATIONS
CA
Control Area
DCHQ
Disease Control Headquarters
ERMC
Emergency Response Management Committee
IP
Infected Premises
FCP
Forward Command Post
FROG
Field Response Operational Group
LDCC
Local Disease Control Centre
NFA
No further action
OIE
World Organisation for Animal Health
PICT
Pacific Island Country or Territory
PIR
Pacific Island Region
RA
Restricted Area
SP
Suspect Premises
SPC
Secretariat of the Pacific Community
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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background, Hazard Analysis and Impact
101
The Pacific Island nation of [insert name here] is located in the sub-region of [insert
sub-region] Melanesia; Polynesia; or Micronesia.
102
The human population of [insert PICT name] is estimated at [insert figures here] and the
national language is [insert]. Other languages commonly spoken are [insert if relevant]
and reflect the mixed cultural heritage of residents of [insert PICT name].
103
Livestock sectors are predominantly [provide details]: (eg small-holder based,
subsistence farming with estimates of livestock nos. and the nos. of households that
keep livestock.)
104
[Insert information on other animals present]
105
While the island status of [insert PICT name] provides considerable protection against
the introduction of significant pests and diseases, threats to biosecurity are ever
present via commerce-related activities such as (insert relevant activities here: eg
tourism, fishing, logging, importation of foodstuffs and agricultural produce).
106
If relevant [include reference to inter-island movement of humans for cultural activities] (eg is
there cross-border movement from other countries or territories?).
107
Should an outbreak of an emergency animal disease occur, regular inter-island
movement of animals such as pigs, poultry and dogs would readily enable the spread
of infection to neighbouring islands.
108
[Include general statement on impacts of an outbreak of emergency animal disease ]
(eg companion animals if relevant)
– (eg the
establishment of an emergency animal disease, such as foot and mouth disease,
would have significant adverse socio-economic impacts on the livelihoods of small
holders and subsistence farmers.) Are commercial enterprises present – eg for
domestic production? Is there an export industry that would be affected by an
incursion of an emergency animal disease? For example, in countries that have an
active beef export industry (eg Vanuatu), an incursion of foot and mouth disease
would curtail exports until international requirements for freedom from foot and
mouth disease are able to be satisfied. Cessation of exports would destabilize prices
of affected commodities (eg beef) and result in a significant disruption of employment
for abattoir workers, with adverse impacts on national and/or provincial economies.
11
2. AIM
201
The aim of this plan is to describe the emergency response arrangements in [insert
name of PICT] to manage an animal health emergency. An animal health emergency
exists when one or more animals are infected with, or infested by, the causal agent of
an emergency animal disease (see definitions, p.7). A shortlist of emergency animal
diseases is attached at Annex 10.

NOTE: The arrangements and procedures for an animal health emergency due
to an infectious disease could equally be applied to manage an emergency
situation due to a non-infectious agent [such as the presence of a toxic
contaminant (eg heavy metals, dioxins) in animals that are intended for human
consumption].
3. POLICY CONTEXT
301
In planning for an outbreak of an emergency animal disease in [insert PICT name] the
objective is to establish animal disease surveillance and response systems that enable
early detection, containment and elimination of an emergency animal disease in as
short a time as possible until eradication is achieved, taking into account relevant
considerations such as resource mobilization, occupational health and safety, animal
welfare and replacement of livestock and associated facilities that need to be
destroyed during an emergency eradication campaign.
302
This plan recognizes that eradication of an emergency animal disease will generally
be of considerable socio-economic benefit when compared with the ongoing
consequences that would be borne when such diseases become established including:
(i)
the need for ongoing disease control measures (eg vaccination, movement
controls);
(ii)
ongoing production losses due to incomplete or ineffective disease control;
(iii)
illness and/or death of humans associated with zoonotic diseases;
(iv)
a permanent constraint on livestock production systems as well as
inhibiting the development of export trade opportunities (FAO, 1999).
303
Disease control measures such as vaccination may be tactically applied in an animal
health emergency to decrease the rate of spread of an agent and/or protect valuable
genetic resources (eg breeding stocks) that could not be readily replaced if affected
by an emergency animal disease.
304
In circumstances when the eradication of an outbreak of an emergency animal
disease is no longer feasible, an emergency response will be discontinued and
appropriate disease control measures will be developed to reduce the rate of disease
spread and where possible its impacts.
12
305
This plan recognizes that the ability of response agencies to effectively minimize the
impacts of an emergency animal disease outbreak on an affected community depends
on a number of key elements including:
(i)
the presence of effective surveillance and disease reporting systems for
early disease detection;
(ii)
the ability to mobilize adequate resources to achieve rapid containment
and eradication;
(iii) implementation of stringent quarantine procedures at affected sites; and
(iv) clear and transparent communication to keep affected communities,
stakeholders and the general public informed of developments and to
foster ongoing cooperation as circumstances may require.
4. AUTHORITY AND LEGISLATIVE BASIS TO ACT
401
The authority to enact legislative powers for the control of an emergency animal
disease is vested in the [insert position holder details, eg Minister for Agriculture (or delegate) ]
under the [insert name of relevant Act etc].
402
When the initial investigation of a disease report by a suitably qualified livestock
officer indicates that an outbreak of an emergency animal disease is possible and/or
likely, the [insert name of relevant office bearer, eg Head of Agriculture] will exercise his/her
judgement to determine the appropriate phase of activation of the Animal Health
Emergency Plan.
403
Where emergency control measures (such as the declaration of restricted movement
areas) are required, the [insert name of relevant office bearer, eg Head of Agriculture (or
delegate)] is to ensure that the relevant legislative authority is activated.
5. PHASES OF ACTIVATION
501
Under this plan the response to and recovery from an animal health emergency has
five phases of action as described below and outlined in Fig. 1 (p. 15) and Fig. 3
(p.19) respectively:
1. Investigation phase
2. Alert phase
3. Operations phase
4. Stand Down phase
5. Recovery phase
13
5.1 Investigation phase
502
The Investigation phase starts whenever there is a report of an unusual animal
disease incident which, on first indications, could POSSIBLY BE due to an
emergency animal disease. Examples of disease reports that would initiate the
Investigation phase are:


A sudden death incident in a number of chickens, ducks or other birds (for
which a diagnosis of highly pathogenic avian influenza and Newcastle
disease must be excluded);
Lameness in a number of cloven hoofed (eg cattle, pigs) livestock (for
which a diagnosis of foot and mouth disease must be excluded)
The Investigation phase involves a situation assessment based on inspection of
affected animals, history taking and specimen collection to determine the nature and
extent of a possible emergency disease situation
5.2 Alert phase
503
The Alert phase starts when, following initial investigations conducted in the
Investigation Phase, the presence of an emergency animal disease in [insert PICT name]
is considered by the [lead animal health representative (or delegate) of insert name of agency ] to
be LIKELY.
It is important that PRIORITY is given to:
504

Implementing containment measures at affected sites as soon as possible to
minimise the risk of disease spread; and

Continuing disease investigations to determine the extent of an incursion
(delimiting surveillance), identify a likely source (trace-back investigation),
and enable diagnostic confirmation as soon as possible.
In the Alert Phase key personnel within [insert name of PICT] are placed on standby,
and [insert name of office bearer ] is to notify SPC’s Animal Health and Production
Adviser (or delegate) of the situation and consult with relevant specialists for
technical and operational advice.
5.3 Operational Phase
505
The Operational phase starts when an animal health emergency is either;


confirmed by laboratory diagnostic procedures; OR
highly suspected and presumed to exist by the [insert name of office-bearer]
based on clinical and other supporting evidence (eg confirmation of introduction of
infected material from an infected country).
14
INVESTIGATION PHASE
Pest or Disease Report Received by Agriculture Office
Provided by:
 Routine surveillance/monitoring
 Farmer / agricultural adviser
 Other source – eg villager, community worker, missionary
Agriculture Field Services (AFS) investigate report:



History taking
Inspection of crop, livestock
Sample collection & submission
o rapid test, post-mortem (if appropriate)
AFS evaluates investigation findings:




Field evidence, history
Test results
o rapid test results (if appropriate)
o laboratory advice (if available)
Specialist technical advice obtained (if available)
Head of Agriculture informed of findings
Pest or disease emergency LIKELY?
NO
STAND DOWN
PHASE
YES
Head of Agriculture activates ALERT Phase
ALERT PHASE
Fig. 1. Key Investigation phase activities and outcomes
15
506
Emergency operations are commenced to contain the spread of disease and achieve
its eradication and continue for as long as eradication is deemed to be necessary and
feasible.
507
The scale (how many animals and sites affected) and extent (how widespread) of
an outbreak of an emergency animal disease, along with knowledge of disease
epidemiology, are key determining factors of the resources required for effective
management and whether or not an emergency disease is likely to be eradicable;

NOTE: Disease outbreaks that are localized in one or two discrete locations
are more likely to be eradicable than outbreaks that are widespread and
affecting a large number of animals at numerous locations.
508
When an emergency animal disease is either confirmed or highly suspected on a
property (or in a village) the location is to be classified as an Infected Premises (IP).
Information on the movement of livestock and livestock products to and from an
Infected Premises will be used to identify other locations as Dangerous Contact
Premises (DCP) or Suspect Premises;
509
Containment measures are implemented at classified premises (IPs, DCPs and SPs)
to restrict the movement of animals, animal products, feedstuffs, fittings, animal
handling and/or processing equipment as well as the movement of people from and
onto these premises .
510
A Restricted Area (RA) is declared to surround all classified premises in any given
location and within which strict containment measures are implemented to minimise
the risk of disease spread, in accordance with advice from technical specialists.
511
A Control Area (CA) is declared to surround any Restricted Area (RA) to provide a
significant disease buffer zone between a disease infected area and unaffected areas
(see Fig. 2).

NOTE 1: The radius of a Restricted Area and of a Control Area may vary
according to disease agent. Typically a RA may have a radius of 3km with a
CA having a radius of at least 10km.

NOTE 2: Both a Restricted Area and a Control Area need to be established
taking into account local infrastructure (eg roads, bridges) and geographic
features (eg rivers, dams). It will rarely (if ever) be possible for either the RA
or the CA to be ‘symmetrical’ in nature.
16
Control Area (CA)
(disease buffer zone)
Disease Free
Area
Restricted Area (RA)
Infected premises (IP)
Dangerous contact premises (DCP)
Suspect premises (SP)
Fig. 2.
Outline of ‘model’ disease containment system,
including premises classification.
17
512
The movement of specified animals, animal products, feedstuffs, animal handling
and/or processing equipment and vehicles into, out of and within the RA is restricted
and allowed by permit only. Intensive surveillance of livestock is to be conducted in
each designated RA and the operations of ‘high-risk’ enterprises (such as markets
where animals are sold; farms where susceptible animals are raised; abattoirs where
infected products may be stored) are to be strictly controlled.
513
Once the scale and extent of a disease outbreak have been confidently defined, the
RA and CA boundaries and movement controls can be modified.
514
Under this plan there are 4 key operational elements to be managed during an
animal health emergency response (as shown in Fig. 3.):
515

1. RESTRICTED AREA MOVEMENT and SECURITY – to achieve
disease containment;

2. DISEASE INVESTIGATION AND TRACING – to determine the
source and extent of a disease incursion;

3. INFECTED PREMISES OPERATIONS – to achieve disease
eradication through destruction and disposal of infected and incontact livestock;

4. PLANNING, LOGISTICS and COMMUNICATION – to coordinate
and prioritize response activities and the allocation of adequate
resources to efficiently address field operational requirements.
Guidelines on the operational structure and function, as well as staffing strategy of
these operational elements, are provided in Section 8 (Coordination).
5.4 Stand-Down Phase
516
517
The Stand-Down phase commences when:

The suspected disease is proven not to exist;

The disease is eradicated or otherwise under control;

Eradication procedures have failed and the disease is declared to be
endemic (established).
Where disease eradication is achieved, disease containment operations cease but
disease surveillance is enhanced and continued to:


Enable early detection of any disease recurrence; and
Provide proof of disease freedom
18
ALERT PHASE
Head of Agriculture (HOA) :





Directs personnel to implement containment measures;
Places key personnel on stand-by;
Notifies Emergency Response Management Committee;
Directs Investigation Leader to prepare a situation report
Ensure relevant information is provided to affected communities
Pest or disease emergency confirmed?


NO
Laboratory advice and/or
Judgement exercised by HOA
OPERATIONS PHASE
STAND DOWN
PHASE
YES
RECOVERY PHASE
Emergency Response Management Committee (ERMC)






Activates field response operations groups
Engages National Disaster Council as required
Activates Biosecurity legisl’n req’d for emergency operations
Assesses feasibility of eradication
Develops overall action plan
Develops and implements communication strategy
Field Response Operations Groups (FROGS)




Containment – Restricted area movement security
Surveillance – Disease investigation and tracing
Eradication
– Infected premises operations
Resource coordination – Planning, logistics & communication
Emergency pest or disease eradicated ?
YES
STAND DOWN PHASE
NO
not
eradicable
Agriculture Field Services
Agriculture Field Services


Maintain surveillance to
confirm freedom
Develop ongoing control /
management measures
RECOVERY PHASE
Fig. 3. Key activities in Alert, Operations and Stand-Down Phases
19
5.5 Recovery Phase
519
Under this plan, Recovery phase activities are aimed at providing initial support to
assist affected people, industries and/or communities to become re-established.
Recovery starts DURING the operational phase and continues WELL AFTER the
completion of the Stand-Down phase.
520
Further action may be needed to assist in the recovery process and as circumstances
indicate, monitoring will be conducted to enable any residual health and/or
environmental impacts to be identified and addressed.
Table 1. Phases of Activation in an Animal Health Emergency
1. Investigation Phase – Commences when report of disease occurrence is
received that COULD BE an animal health emergency;
2. Alert Phase – Commences when investigations indicate that an animal health
emergency is LIKELY;
3. Operational Phase – Commences when animal health emergency is either:
(i) CONFIRMED by laboratory diagnostic procedures or;
(ii) HIGHLY SUSPECTED and presumed to exist based
on clinical findings and supporting evidence from field
investigation (eg history of introduction of
livestock/livestock products from an infected country)
4. Stand Down Phase – Commences when any of the following conditions exist:
(i) the suspected disease is PROVEN NOT TO BE
PRESENT;
(ii) the disease is ERADICATED or OTHERWISE UNDER
CONTROL;
(iii) ERADICATION procedures have failed and the
disease is declared to be established (endemic)
5. Recovery Phase – Commences during the OPERATIONAL Phase and finishes
well after the Stand Down Phase. Recovery phase
activities aim to assist affected persons, communities &
sectors to return to normal following an animal health
emergency.
20
6. COMMAND AND CONTROL STRUCTURE
Under this emergency response plan, the [insert name of relevant office bearer,
eg Minister of Agriculture] is responsible for declaring an agricultural
emergency and the [insert name of relevant agency, eg Ministry of Agriculture] is the
lead agency responsible for management of an agricultural
emergency. An [insert name of relevant committee, eg Emergency Response
Management Committee] is responsible for establishing and monitoring the
progress of an emergency response. Emergency operational
activities will be conducted by [insert name of operating units, eg field response
operational groups] under the direction of a [insert name of management position, eg
Field Operations Manager / Management Team], depending on the scale of the
emergency (see Fig. 4).
PRIME MINISTER
& CABINET
NATIONAL DISASTER
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
MINISTRY OF
FINANCE
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE
FINANCE
CONTROLLER
(EMERGENCY )
(Emergency)
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
MANAGEMENT
COMMITTEE
Chairperson
Head of Quarantine
Technical Specialist
Director NDMO
Director Health (Infectious
Disease)
Director Police
Director Emergency Services
Director Community Welfare
Others? [insert others]
Operations Manager /
Management Team
Field Controller (s)
Field Response
Operations Groups
Fig. 4. Outline of Command and Control Structure (Example)
21
7. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
701
The overall response to an animal health emergency in [insert name of PICT] is
managed by an [insert name of committee, Emergency Response Management Committee]
comprising [insert details here, for eg Head of Agriculture, Executive Director of Emergency
Services, Executive Director of Corporate Services ). The ERMC is to be chaired by [insert
name of office-bearer , eg Head of Agriculture] or as otherwise agreed by the ERMC
members.
7.1 Investigation phase
7.1.1 Lead Agency
702
As the lead agency responsible for management of an animal health emergency, the
[insert agency name] on receiving a report that COULD BE an animal health emergency
is to:
(i) Activate a field investigation to obtain relevant information and enable an
informed assessment of the disease situation. Guidelines on relevant information
requirements are provided in Annex 1;
(ii) Implement quarantine restrictions at affected locations if the investigation
findings indicate the presence of an emergency animal disease is likely;
(iii)Collect, package, and submit specimens for diagnostic analysis to relevant
national, sub-regional and /or regional reference laboratories;
(iv) Maintain close contact with the animal/property owner(s) to monitor the health of
remaining animals (as appropriate) and keep the owner(s) informed of
investigation progress (eg findings from tracing investigations) and developments
(eg diagnostic).
7.2 Alert phase
7.2.1 Lead Agency
703
The [insert name of office-bearer, eg Head of Agriculture (or delegate)] is to notify relevant
managers and personnel within [insert name of lead agency] that:
 a disease investigation is ongoing in which it is LIKELY that an
emergency animal disease is present; and
 to request managers to place personnel on standby to support disease
investigation and emergency management activities as may be required.
704
The names, contact details of relevant lead agency personnel and their intended roles
in an animal health emergency are provided in Annex 4.
705
The [insert name of office bearer, eg Head of Agriculture (or delegate)] is to convene the
ERMC and provide them with a situation report. ERMC representatives are to
nominate liaison officers from participating and supporting organizations (as
22
appropriate) to support DISEASE INVESTIGATION and CONTAINMENT
activities. ERMC is to consider the need to establish disease control centres to
manage an Operational phase response [eg National Disease Control Centre
(NDCC); Local Disease Control Centre (LDCC)] and specifically;

Where such control centres are to be located and administrative
requirements for control centre establishment and maintenance; and

Any legislative powers that need to be enacted to support disease
investigation and containment activities.
7.2.2 Support Agencies - Regional
706
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (Animal Health and Production Group) is
to provide the following key supporting roles when it is LIKELY that an animal
health emergency is present in [insert name of PICT]:

Technical assistance;

Liaison with regional and/or international reference laboratories for specific
advice on specimen collection and submission;

Ensure that import permits are available to enable specimen submission to
regional and/or international reference laboratories as required;

Liaison with relevant agencies (emergency management, agricultural) in
other countries to identify human resources that are available to provide
emergency assistance and facilitate their mobilisation as circumstances
require.
7.3 Operational phase
7.3.1 Lead Agency
As the lead agency responsible for the management of an animal health emergency,
the [insert name of lead agency] is responsible for:
707
Ensuring that relevant legislative arrangements for the management of an animal
health emergency are enacted/activated as required [insert position of office-bearer, eg
Minister of Agriculture].
708
Convening the ERMC to formally establish emergency FIELD OPERATIONS
through activation of FIELD RESPONSE OPERATIONAL GROUPS. The roles
and composition of the FIELD RESPONSE OPERATIONAL GROUPS are outlined
in Section 8 (Coordination of Operations) and Annex 5 respectively.
709
The ERMC is, in consultation with the FIELD OPERATIONS LEADERS, to
develop an emergency management action plan (see Annex 7) that includes
consideration of the following items:
23
a. Funding of Operational phase activities;
b. Establishment of disease control centres;
c. Establishment of quarantine and movement restrictions at affected
localities;
d. Surveillance and tracing to identify additional infected, dangerous contact
and suspect premises (sites);
e. Sourcing of maps and other specialized land information (eg suitable sites
for disposal of contaminated waste).
f. Communications to provide public awareness (local, national and
international as appropriate) including media releases;
g. Laboratory confirmation of disease diagnosis (if not yet obtained);
h. Euthanasia and disposal of livestock at affected sites;
i. Decontamination of affected sites (contaminated carcases, animal
products, feedstuffs, handling and/or processing equipment, vehicles etc;
j. Monitoring and/or regulating the operations of high risk enterprises (eg
abattoirs, live markets, ‘wet’ product markets) that could significantly
increase disease spread;
k. Assessment, valuation (of livestock) and arranging replacement of
livestock (eg monetary or via replacement of stock and/or property) for the
owners of animals and/or property that are destroyed as part of an
Operational phase response;
710
Operational phase activities are to be conducted in accordance with emergency
animal disease Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)1 and otherwise as directed by
the ERMC.
7.3.2 Emergency Services
1
711
The Emergency Services agency [insert agency name] is to assist in identifying suitable
locations for the establishment of disease control centres, particularly where a disease
control centre is needed at some distance from an urban or provincial centre.
712
The Emergency Services agency [insert agency name] may also assist in contacting
contractors and other service providers (eg community organizations) to assist with
an Operational phase response.
A manual of Standard Operating Procedures is to be developed
24
7.3.3 Livestock Industry Associations and Authorities
713
The Livestock Industry Associations and Authorities are to provide the following
support as required:
a. Advice on livestock handling, equipment and management practices
b. Experienced personnel
c. Knowledge of transport contractors and/or experienced operators who can
assist in transport of carcases and the removal of contaminated waste to
disposal sites
7.3.4 Community Organisations and Volunteer Groups
714
Community organisations and volunteer agencies are to provide the following support
as required in accordance with the capabilities and expertise of available persons:
a. Assist the lead agency as required (eg manning of checkpoints,
communicating relevant information to the public, assisting with
decontamination operations);
b. Assist Police Services in implementing movement restrictions at affected
localities.
7.3.5 Secretariat of Pacific Community
715
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community is to provide the following support as
required:
a. Technical assistance;
b. Ongoing liaison with regional and/or international reference laboratories;
c. Administrative assistance to facilitate the deployment of suitably qualified
personnel from other countries to assist in an Operational phase response;
d. Facilitate access to regional stockpiles of pharmaceuticals, protective
equipment, chemicals and other items that may be required during an
Operational phase response;
e. Assistance with disease notification, both within the Pacific Island Region
and to OIE.
7.4 Stand-Down phase
When an emergency operational response is conducted the [insert name of committee, eg
ERMC] is to monitor and review progress of the emergency response. When ERMC
determines that emergency response operations are no longer required it is to direct
25
the Field Operations Manager to commence Stand-Down activities. Stand-Down
activities are to be conducted in a planned manner with appropriate consideration
given to biosecurity, environment management and ongoing vigilance for disease reoccurrence.
7.4.1 Lead Agency
716
Upon being directed by [insert name of committee, eg ERMC] to commence Stand Down
activities, the [insert office bearer details , eg Field Operations Manager] for [insert name of lead
agency] is to:
a. Direct Operational phase managers that the emergency response is now in
Stand-Down phase
717
The [insert office bearer details , eg Field Operations Manager] for [insert name of lead agency] is
to:
a. Arrange the ‘stand-down’ from active operations of all participants no
longer required;
b. Arrange for debriefings to be held for all participants in the Operational
phase response and for all participants to be informed of the timing and
locations of debriefings;
c. Maintain disease surveillance operations; and
d. Oversee re-stocking where necessary; and
e. Prepare a final report on the animal health emergency and its management.
7.4.2 Emergency Services
718
Emergency Services [insert agency name] is to provide the following support as
required:
a. Conduct formal debriefings
b. Assist in the preparation of a final report on the animal health emergency
and its management
c. Participate in formal debriefings
7.5 Initial Recovery phase
7.5.1 Lead Agency
719
The lead agency [insert lead agency name] is to:
a. Provide advice to affected livestock owners about available financial
assistance, rebuilding, re-equipping, re-stocking and other agricultural
advisory services;
b. Maintain surveillance to establish ‘proof of freedom’ if appropriate ;
26
c. Arrange for monitoring of waste disposal sites as appropriate;
d. Make arrangements for monitoring of community recovery in accordance
with the scale of the Operational phase response.
7.5.2 Environmental Services
720
The Environmental Services agency [insert agency name] is to provide the following
support as required:
a. Monitoring of disposal sites (and other sites) as appropriate for
environmental degradation and/or contamination
7.5.3 Welfare Services
721
The Welfare Services agency [insert agency name] is to provide the following support
as required:
a. Welfare support;
b. Coordinate community relief and rehabilitation arrangements (including
employment related issues)
c. Counselling for affected individuals and families.
27
8. COORDINATION OF OPERATIONS
8.1 Coordination - National and Provincial
801
The role of the [insert committee name , eg Emergency Response Management Committee]
throughout the management of an animal health emergency is to:

Determine and provide technical policy direction;

Ensure that legislative arrangements necessary (such as gazettal of
restricted movement areas) to support field operations are enacted;

Liaise with relevant regional support agencies (eg SPC) for resource
assistance in situations where local resources are inadequate;

Establish a centrally located National Disease Control Centre (NDCC) to
direct and coordinate emergency management operations in an affected
PICT;

Develop and implement a communications strategy, including media
communications, to keep locally affected communities, industry sectors
and the general public informed;

Enable financial and administrative support for an emergency response;

Keep relevant Ministers briefed on progress and, in particular, problems
that are hindering operational progress;

Notify partner countries and territories within the Pacific Island Region of
the occurrence of an animal health emergency and provide regular
updates;

Notify the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) of the occurrence
of an animal health emergency (or seek assistance via SPC to do so) and
provide regular updates;

Provide clear information for the general public
802
Emergency disease management operations will be conducted by the Field Response
Operational Groups under the direction of the [insert position name here, eg Field
Operations Manager]. The Field Operations Manager is to communicate situation
reports for the information of the Emergency Response Management Committee on a
regular basis (daily where feasible) to enable informed decision-making by that
committee.
803
The role of the Field Response Operational Groups throughout an animal health
emergency is to:

Establish field control centres as appropriate (eg LDCC)

Determine the source of a disease outbreak and define its extent (how
widespread) through tracing and surveillance ;
28

Limit the spread of disease by appropriate measures which may
include:
o Movement controls on livestock, livestock products, feedstuffs,
waste materials, equipment and other potential disease vectors;
o Regulating the operations of ‘risk’ enterprises (primarily
enterprises that hold, transport and/or process large numbers of
susceptible animals and/or commodities derived from susceptible
animals)
o Vaccination of affected and/or ‘at risk’ livestock
o Control of feral animals and wild animal vectors
804

Record and conduct valuation of all animals and property destroyed
for purposes of restitution (eg monetary or by replacement);

Eradicate outbreaks of disease using appropriate techniques [eg
destruction of infected animals (and ‘in-contact’ animals] as directed by
ERMC, with due consideration to animal welfare;

Eliminate all sources of infection through disposal of infected animals
and animal products, and decontamination of premises and things (with
due consideration to minimising environmental impacts);

Mobilise resources including personnel and equipment, in a timely
manner to establish and support an emergency response.

Perform surveillance to provide disease status information, including
for ‘proof of freedom’ purposes in circumstances where eradication is
considered to have been achieved; and

Maintain effective information recording and flow, to enable the Field
Operations Manager to provide timely reports and advice to the
Emergency Response Management Committee.
The Field Response Operational Groups will, as a situation requires, establish a
Local Disease Control Centre (LDCC) as close as is practical to the centre of field
operations (ie the locality where an emergency animal disease outbreak has occurred)
to enable the efficient management of a disease outbreak;

More than one LDCC may be established in situations where a number of
disease outbreaks occur at the same time but in different locations (at a
significant distance from each other).

A Forward Command Post may also be established in situations where
field operational requirements are relatively small in scale.
29
8.2 Operational Units
805
The Field Response Operational Groups will, as a situation requires, work in the
following discrete units to facilitate efficient completion of specific operational tasks:

DISEASE INVESTIGATION and TRACING

RESTRICTED AREA and SECURITY

INFECTED PREMISES OPERATIONS

PLANNING, LOGISTICS and COMMUNICATIONS
8.2.1 Disease Investigation and Tracing Unit
806
The Disease Investigation and Tracing Unit conducts tracing and surveillance in the
area controlled by a Local Disease Control Centre (LDCC); its aim is to


807
Identify any infected localities; and
Confirm freedom from infection after eradication
Key activities of the Disease Investigation and Tracing Unit are to:

Interview owner/manager(s) of affected livestock to estimate how long
infection is likely to have been present at infected site(s). Identify possible
source of infection (traceback investigation) and possible localities to
which infection may have been spread (traceforward investigation);

Provide clear information to the owners/managers of premises where
surveillance is conducted regarding the surveillance findings, premises
classification, subsequent quarantine restrictions and any other actions
required;

Identify and classify premises (ie Dangerous Contact Premises, Suspect
Premises) that require inspection based on available disease investigation
information, including traceback and traceforward information;

Keep the LDCC Manager informed of the numbers of DCPs and SPs
that ARE within the Restricted Movement Area (RA) being maintained
by the LDCC;

Notify the National Disease Control Centre (NDCC) of any:
o
DCPs or SPs that require inspection and are NOT within the
Restricted Movement Area (RA) being maintained by the LDCC;
o
Tracing information relevant to international movements (either
import or export);
30

Conduct surveillance of DCPs and SPs in a timely manner and
immediately notify the LDCC Manager of the identification and details of
any newly identified Infected Premises (IPs);

Schedule revisits of DCPs and/or SPs as appropriate;

Notify the LDCC Manager when the classification status of DCPs and/or
SPs is revised to NO FURTHER ACTION (NFA) required

Maintain a detailed map identifying IPs, DCPs and all other premises in
the Restricted Area with susceptible livestock;
8.2.2 Restricted Area Movement & Security Unit
808
The Restricted Area Movement and Security (RAMS) unit is tasked with establishing
and maintaining;

809
Control over the movement of animals, animal products, vehicles,
other things and people into, within and out of the RA to limit the spread
of disease
Key activities of the Restricted Area Movement and Security unit are to:

Issue movement permits in accordance with legislation, risk assessment
and the agreed biosecurity policy (NOTE - this unit may require a
separate entrance to an LDCC due to items being brought for inspection);

Consult with NDCC operations manager for advice on biosecurity
policy (eg when a request outside the existing policy is received);

Establish and operate vehicle checkpoints in the RA (as required),
including transport authorities, police, local government, industry and the
community;

Maintain biosecurity in the RA in consultation with the Infected
Premises Operations unit, through appropriate containment measures for
the management of IPs;

Maintain records of all movements in the RA and IPs, permits issued,
and details of staff allocated to the RAMS unit;

Provide information to the Planning, Logistics and Communications
unit on breaches of biosecurity for evaluation and referral to Police
Services as appropriate.
31
8.2.3 Infected Premises Operations
810
The Infected Premises Operations (IPO) unit manages all activities on IPs (and DCPs
as required) to contain and eradicate infection. Activities are coordinated at the
LDCC with field activities conducted on IPs (and DCPs as required) to:

Implement containment measures at infected premises to maintain
biosecurity and security measures to protect the physical safety of
personnel working on infected premises;

Undertake initial site assessment_identify hazards and record
(photograph, video) the physical condition of the property’s facilities;

Consult and engage the owner/manager (as required) in planning
valuation, destruction, disposal and decontamination including
consideration of wild/stray animals, rodents and invertebrate pest control;

Advise the owner/manager on relief, support and recovery arrangements
for affected individuals, families and/or communities;

Prepare an inventory of susceptible animals and other risk materials for
destruction and/or disposal and facilitate valuations for livestock
replacement;

Schedule and conduct the destruction and disposal of animals and
materials as required. Confirm the destruction and disposal of all animals
and materials scheduled for destruction and disposal.
8.2.4 Planning, Logistics and Communication Unit
811
Planning, Logistics and Communication (PLC) is a multi-purpose unit suitable for
the management of small-scale incursions. For larger scale incursions the
various functions may be separated into discrete units. Logistic support includes
administrative support for day-to-day requirements of operational personnel such as
transport, accommodation and meals. The planning function includes industry,
community and local government liaison, situation assessment and reporting,
resource planning and facilitating the delivery of relief and recovery arrangements.
812
Key activities of the Planning, Logistics and Communication Unit are to:

Provide clear direction on occupational health and safety (OH&S)
arrangements for all LDCC personnel and maintain awareness of OH&S
issues through liaison with operational managers, team leaders as required;

Ensure adequate induction and training is provided for all operational
personnel;

Make recommendations to the Field Operations Manager on the;
o Criteria for Declaration of IPs, DCPs and SPs;
32
o Boundaries of the Restricted Area and the surrounding Control
Area

Liaise with the Disease Investigation and Tracing unit to determine the
source, means, date of introduction, and method of spread of an
emergency animal disease as well as identifying localities to which the
disease may have spread through movement of infected livestock, produce
and/or contaminated equipment;

Prepare and provide situation reports for the information of National
Disease Control Centre (NDCC), LDCC management and personnel;

Monitor situation reports to identify disease trends, evaluate progress,
identify and resolve operational problems (eg that may indicate a
breakdown in operational biosecurity) during an Operational phase
response.

Provide local public relations through liaison with industry,
community and local government about emergency response progress as
well as relief, recovery and support arrangements.

Provide administrative support for operational personnel (including
meals, accommodation and laundry arrangements).

Ensure adequate provision of resources (both human and equipment) in
accordance with the scale (no. of animals and premises affected) and
extent (how widespread) of an Operational phase response.

Arrange security for LDCC facilities and equipment.
8.2.5 Staffing Strategy
813
The staffing requirements of an emergency operational response will be influenced
by the scale of an emergency, specifically the number of premises and animals at
risk.
814
An outbreak of an emergency animal disease in a commercial enterprise that is
situated close to a number of other susceptible commercial enterprises will generally
require a considerably greater number of emergency response personnel for the
infected premises operations (IPO) unit than would an outbreak in small holdings
and/or subsistence farming operations, where there are significantly fewer animals.
815
When the presence of an emergency animal disease is considered to be LIKELY (ie
Alert Phase) adequate resources must be mobilised for both disease containment
(Restricted Area Movement and Security) and disease surveillance (Disease
Investigation and Tracing) activities to:

minimize the risk of disease spread; and
33

816
quickly determine the extent of an incursion to enable accurate estimation
of the level of resources and likely timeframe required to achieve
eradication.
Whenever possible each unit should include at least one person with prior training
and/or experience for the assigned tasks. Experienced/trained personnel are to
provide training for additional recruits in relevant operating procedures as
circumstances require:
 only personnel with prior training should investigate disease and
conduct or supervise diagnosis and sample collection;
 unskilled personnel will generally be used to implement and monitor
biosecurity (eg at checkpoints, infected premises) as training in relevant
disinfection procedures and requirements is relatively straightforward ;
 unskilled personnel can also be readily trained in disposal of infected
materials and decontamination of infected premises.
 in some circumstances unskilled personnel may be suitable for training in
euthanasia, particularly in poultry as procedures for humane euthanasia are
relatively straightforward.
817
Personnel who work on infected premises are not to visit or work on premises of
lesser or unknown disease status (eg DCP, SP) for a minimum period of 48 hours.
Such personnel may be transferred to duties in another unit that do not require
visiting premises with susceptible livestock, eg Restricted Area Movement and
Security.
818
Disease and Tracing unit personnel should include;
819

a veterinarian or paravet trained in the recognition of emergency
animal diseases;

personnel familiar with handling livestock and trained in biosecurity
procedures to minimize the risk of spreading infectious disease agents;

a driver, preferably with stock inspector status (or equivalent) and familiar
with the local geography, to facilitate locating, entering and quarantining
of ‘at risk’ premises.
When an emergency animal disease is detected (or suspected) by Disease
Investigation and Tracing unit personnel, those personnel are to:

remain at the infected premises and initiate emergency biosecurity
procedures;

interview the livestock owner /manager to identify a possible source of
infection (traceback) and possible locations to which infection may have
been spread (traceforward);
34
820
821
822
823

notify relevant operational managers of any high risk tracings
identified through interview with the livestock owner/manager or other
means;

maintain emergency biosecurity arrangements until relieved by
additional support personnel (eg IPO unit personnel);

ensure they do not enter any other premises with susceptible livestock
for a minimum period of 48 hours (such personnel may be transferred to
duties in another unit, eg Restricted Area Movement and Security)
Personnel involved in the destruction of livestock may comprise:

veterinarians or paravets trained in animal euthanasia;

animal handlers familiar with managing and handling livestock (including
industry representatives);

trained slaughter personnel;

suitably experienced and qualified private contractors.
Personnel involved in the disposal of infectious and hazardous waste materials
may comprise;

environmental services personnel trained to evaluate disposal sites for
environmental suitability;

emergency services personnel and/or community volunteers;

heavy equipment operators (including bobcats, dump trucks and cranes);

transport operators trained in biosecurity procedures and requirements;
Personnel involved in the disinfection and decontamination of infected premises
may comprise:

personnel trained in the handling and disposal of hazardous materials (eg
HAZMAT);

fire brigade services personnel (may be HAZMAT trained);

emergency services personnel and/or community volunteers;

private contractors given adequate terms of reference;

local public works personnel.
Personnel involved in implementing Restricted Area Movement and Security
activities may include:

agriculture, environmental, police services, military personnel, emergency
services, fire brigade services, and/or community volunteers;

industry representatives;

local public works personnel.
35
8.3 Coordination – Regional
824
825
Where human and/or other resources within [inset name of affected PICT] are
inadequate to effectively manage an animal health emergency, the Chairperson of
the Emergency Response Management Committee is to submit a Request for
Assistance (see Annex 9) to SPC’s Animal Health and Production Adviser. The
Request for Assistance is to:

include an estimate of the human resource requirements needed and
highlight any particular skills/proficiencies that would be beneficial;

highlight any anticipated deficiencies/ inadequacies in equipment,
materials and other non-human resource requirements.
The regional coordination role of SPC throughout the duration of an animal health
emergency is (on an as required basis) to:

Provide technical assistance;

Liaise with regional and/or international reference laboratories;

Facilitate the mobilisation of suitably qualified personnel from other
countries to assist in an Operational phase response.

Facilitate emergency access to regional stockpiles of pharmaceuticals,
protective equipment, chemicals and other items that may be required
during an Operational phase response.

Provide assistance with disease notification, both within the Pacific Island
Region and to OIE
36
NATIONAL
DISEASE
CONTROL
HEADQUARTERS
LDCC CONTROLLER
Operations
Planning, Logistics &
Communication
- Direction on OH&S
- Induction & training
- Recommend’n on size &
loc’n of RA & CA
- Situation reports, assessmt &
distribution
- Local public relations (relief
& recovery arrangemts, other
information )
- Admin. support (eg meals,
accommod’n, laundry)
- Resource planning and
requisition
- Incident action plans
- Security for LDCC facility &
equipment.
Disease Investigation
& Tracing
-
Interview owners / mgrs
Tracing assessments
Classify premises
Conduct surveillance
Inform owners/mgrs of
outcome
Refer to IPO or reclassify
Maintain detailed map of
IPs, DCPs, SPs & other
premises
Restricted Area Movement
& Security
- Implement RA biosecurity
- Issue movement permits
- Vehicle checkpoints
- Document movements in
RA (livestock, equipmt,
RAMS personnel)
- Liaise with IPO & PAL
personnel as req’d
Infected Premises Operations
- Implement IP biosecurity (and
physical security)
- Site assessment
- Consult & plan with owner
(valuation, destruction, disposal
& decontamination)
- Advise on relief and recovery
arrangements
- Inventory of animals & eqpmt
for destr’n & disposal
- Conduct destruction & disposal
Forward Command Post
- secure storage and office
facility for small operations
at distance from an LDCC
Fig. 6. Outline of operational structure and function in a model Local Disease Control Centre
37
9. COMMUNICATIONS
901
Communications infrastructure and linkages are to be established and maintained to
facilitate communication within and between key operating centres, including:



902
between field personnel and an LDCC;
between an LDCC and NDCC; and
with various national and regional support agencies
The NDCC is to develop and implement a communications strategy to keep the
locally affected community and general public informed of developments in an
emergency response in a timely manner. The NDCC is to liaise with the LDCC to
determine the extent and nature of public relations activities that are to be conducted
by LDCC personnel and provide support as required.
10. ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS
10.1 Finance
1001
Effective management of an animal health emergency will require funding to cover a
range of operational expenses. A lack of adequate funding presents a significant risk
of ‘disabling’ an emergency response and preventing the eradication of an
emergency animal disease.
1002
Executive Officers in both the lead agency and various support agencies for the
management of an animal health emergency are to ensure that contingency
arrangements are in place to enable the immediate authorization of funds that may be
required in an animal health emergency for:







1003
purchase of emergency supplies and equipment;
transport for emergency operations personnel (and equipment);
accommodation of emergency operations personnel;
catering/meals for emergency operations personnel;
contractors/service providers (eg charter of helicopters, machinery hire);
establishing and maintaining telecommunications and/or other modes of
communication;
other miscellaneous expenditure
When the duration of emergency operations is such that contingency funding in
[insert name of PICT] becomes ‘exhausted’, a technical and operational review of
the disease situation is to be undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of eradication and
the additional (indicative) budgetary resources that would be required for eradication
to be achieved;

Where it is determined that continuing emergency operations is likely to
succeed in achieving eradication within a reasonable timeframe, a Request
for Emergency Assistance (see Annex 9) will be submitted to SPC.
38
1004
SPC will endeavour to source financial support and other resources to enable
emergency operations to continue until eradication is achieved.
10.2 Policy for replacement of livestock
1005
Under this plan, arrangements for the replacement of livestock for owners whose
stock (and in some cases infrastructure – eg sheds, handling facilities) are destroyed
as part of an emergency eradication campaign, is a vital element to promote early
disease reporting and cooperation of affected producers and /or communities.
1006
In the absence of formal arrangements for the replacement of livestock (and/or
infrastructure) that is destroyed as part of an emergency eradication campaign, the
ERMC is responsible for determining;



1007
Whether or not livestock replacement arrangements should be established
and implemented for affected owners /producers; and if so;
The nature and level of livestock replacement to be provided;
The administrative arrangements for implementation of livestock
replacement.
Livestock replacement arrangements may include ex gratia payments, stock
replacement and/or a combination of each. The following principles are to be
applied in determining restitution associated with the management of an animal
health emergency:





No persons to be better or worse off financially due to the reporting of an
emergency disease incident;
Livestock replacement to be provided in an efficient and prompt manner to
affected livestock owners;
Provision of livestock replacement to affected owners to be dependent on
producer cooperation during an eradication campaign;
Animal industry sectors that will benefit from the eradication of an
emergency animal disease should contribute to the resourcing of an
emergency eradication campaign, including livestock replacement
arrangements;
Livestock replacement arrangements to be simple and straightforward in
both policy and implementation.
10.3 Logistic support
1008
The establishment of control centres to coordinate emergency operations requires
considerable administrative support to facilitate planning, implementation,
communications, personnel, procurement and inventory management. This
requirement for administrative support also extends to emergency operations
conducted in remote localities.
39
1009
Adequate numbers of suitably trained administrative personnel are to be mobilised to
facilitate the establishment and operation of administrative systems necessary for the
efficient management of control centres throughout an animal health emergency.
10.4 Public Information
1010
The Lead Agency [insert name of agency here] is responsible for providing accurate
information about the animal health emergency to the media and public with support
from specialist public information services as required.
1011
The Health Services agency [insert agency name] will, in consultation with the Lead
Agency, prepare and disseminate relevant information when there are public health
implications associated with an incursion by an emergency animal disease.
1012
The coordinated use of all electronic media (radio, television, internet) will be
undertaken through the establishment of a Public Information Coordination Centre
and/or Joint Media Information Centre as required.
10.5 Testing and Review
1013
The lead agency [insert agency name ] is to plan for and conduct regular (eg annual)
testing exercises to establish, maintain and enhance familiarity of both lead agency
and support agency personnel with emergency management arrangements for an
animal health emergency.
1014
Changes in personnel in various agencies can rapidly decrease the accuracy of
emergency contact lists as well as the awareness and familiarity within agencies
(both lead and support) of emergency management arrangements and procedures.
The lead agency [insert agency name] is to regularly review (eg quarterly) contact
lists with various support agencies and organizations.
1015
This animal health emergency plan of [insert PICT name] is a ‘living document’ and
will be reviewed, modified and updated as required following testing exercises,
emergency responses and other relevant advice.
40
11. APPENDICES
Annex 1. Outbreak Inspection (Animal Disease) Form #1
Annex 2. Outbreak Inspection (Animal Disease) Form #2
Annex 3. Emergency Eradication Slaughter Report
Annex 4. Emergency Contact List (Animal Health& Support Agencies)
Annex 5. Field Response Operational Groups (Animal Health)
Annex 6. Situation Report Form – Emergency Animal Disease
Annex 7. Emergency Action Plan (Template) - Emergency Animal Disease
Annex 8. Action Plan Budget – Emergency Animal Disease
Annex 9. Request for Emergency Assistance
Annex 10.Shortlist of Emergency Animal Diseases
41
Annex 1 (1 of 1)
OUTBREAK INSPECTION (ANIMAL DISEASE) FORM #1
1. Visit date
…………………….………………...
2. Initial; Repeat visit
…………….........................................
3. Date of Previous visit (if applicable) ………………………………………..
4. Case no. (or estimate no. of previous cases)
……………………….…...
5. Property identification/name
………………………….…
6. Reason for visit [Notification, Surveillance, Trace, Sentinel, Other]
7. Owner/ Manager Details:
a. Name: …………………… b. Phone: ……………………………....
c. Mobile: …………… …..... d. Fax: …………....... e. Radio: ……….
8. Address:………………………………………………………………………..
9. Property location details:
a. GPS reference: …………….….. b. Local Govt reference: …….
c. Map no. ……………………….. d. Map reference: …………….
10. Disease concern, species affected: ………………….………….……...............
……………………………………………………………………………………...
11. Inspection summary
At-risk*
Inspected
Dead
Sick
Comment
* group by age where possible
12. Report summary & provisional diagnosis
(*Complete Outbreak Inspection Form #2 if emergency animal disease is
suspected )
……………………………………………………………………………….……
…………………………………………………………………………………….
13. Quarantine order date (if applicable): ………………………………………...
14. Name of Investigating officer (s): ……………………. Phone (s): ………….
42
Annex 2 (1 of 3)
OUTBREAK INSPECTION (ANIMAL DISEASE) FORM #2
Additional Information for Suspect or Infected Premises
Case No:
1. History and clinical signs – (include estimate of how long clinical signs have
been present)
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
2. Distribution and age of lesions (if relevant)
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
3. Affected animals - number & species
Species
No. Dead
4. Tentative Diagnosis
No. sick
No. in contact Total
<P> ositive ; <I> nconclusive
5. Biosecurity Considerations – fences, roads, gates.
6. Valuation considerations
a. Facilities (eg shed, holding pens, yards) ....................................................
b. Livestock …………………………………………………………………
Species
Age
Breeder
Commercial
Non - commercial
43
Annex 2 (2 of 3)
7. Slaughter considerations – species / facilities / special considerations
8. Disposal Considerations – species / labour (owner involvement)
– facilities / articles for disposal;
– rodent / wild animal control
 burn – fire control & management; smell; duration.
 bury – soil type, water table, power, pipelines, equipment.
 compost – covering; aeration; smell; duration
9. Decontamination Considerations
 crates / cages/ pens / yards / enclosures / sheds
 feed / water containers
 handling equipment / vehicles
 general environment
10. Recent movements of stock, materials or products from the property
Date
Item & Quantity
Moved by
Comment
11. Recent movements of stock, materials or products to the property
Date
Item & Quantity
Moved by
Comment
12. Other stock at risk
a) Other premises/livestock belonging to owner
b) Other premises/livestock belonging to employees/workers
c) Adjacent premises
44
Annex 2 (3 of 3)
13. Additional Comments
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
Completed by:
............................................................. ...................................................
(Name)
(Position)
............................................................ ..................................................
(Date)
(Signature)
Local Disease Centre Control (LDCC) Instruction Advice
1. Officer Name and Position
............................................................. .....................................................
(Name)
(Position)
2. Slaughter of livestock and destruction of contaminated articles and other
infrastructure that cannot readily be decontaminated is hereby authorised:
............................................................
............../……......./……..........
(Signature)
(Date)
3. Infected Premises Manager advised in writing / verbally / both on: …../.../…...
(circle as appropriate)
(Date)
4. Data entered by: .................................
(Name)
......./......../.......... ……………
(Date)
(Time)
45
Annex 3 (1 of 1)
EMERGENCY ERADICATION – SLAUGHTER REPORT
IP/DCP No:………….….. Case No. ……………………
Owner:…………………………………… …………… Phone No:……………..
Premises Address: …………………………………. Property No:……..……….
Slaughter Commenced on: ……….../……/…….
Time……………….
Slaughter Completed on: ……...…../……./…….
Time…………….…
Stock details:
Species
No. slaughtered
today
No. with
lesions
No. examined
(if not all)
No. awaiting
slaughter
Poultry
……………
…………
……………
……………
Pigs
……………
…………
……………
……………
Cattle - Bulls
……………
…………
……………
……………
- Cows
……………
…………
……………
……………
- Other
……………
…………
……………
……………
Goats
Sheep
Other
Description of lesions and age: ……………………………………………………
Was valuation completed before slaughter: <Y>es, <N>o:………. Name of Valuer:……………
Comments:…………………………………………………………………………………………
Brief details of slaughter arrangement ….…………………………………………..
Comments:…………………………………………………………………………
Officer’s name and designation:……………………………………………………
Date……/…../….. Time………....
<O>riginal, <R>elayed report:… <R>elayed report taken by …Entered…./…/…..
46
Annex 4 (1 of 1)
EMERGENCY CONTACT LIST (Animal Health & Support Agencies)
Contact Details for Lead Agency Personnel
Name
Agency
Phone Numbers
Email
Contact Details for Support Agency Personnel
47
Annex 5 (1 of 1)
FIELD RESPONSE OPERATIONS GROUP (Animal Health)
Name
Agency
Phone Numbers
Email
48
Annex 6 (1 of 3)
Situation Report Form – Emergency Animal Disease
1. Overview –
[Nature of incident; species & (estimated) no. of animals affected]
[Type of animals affected; domesticated/wild animals]
[Type of holdings affected; smallholder/commercial (free-range; intensive)]
…………………….……..………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
2. Distribution – [No. of localities affected (eg districts, provinces)?]
[No. of affected sites in each location?]
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
3. Duration – [How long (estimate) has the infection/syndrome been present?]
……………………………………………………………….....................
……………………………………………………………….....................
……………………………………………………………….....................
……………………………………………………………………………
4. Source – [Has a source been identified? If not, outline the efforts made &/or
ongoing efforts to identify a source?]
…….………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
5. Diagnostics – [What diagnostic results are available (or in progress)?]
…….………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
49
Annex 6 (2 of 3)
Situation Report Form – Emergency Animal Disease (cont’d)
6. Actions taken to date
[for eg: incident management group formed; action plan developed; resources
allocated; emergency actions commenced (eg containment, surveillance,
destruction, disposal, decontamination); public awareness, media liaison; disease
reporting]
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
……………………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………….
7. Proposed priority actions
[for eg: continue containment & surveillance pending diagnostic advice; prepare
advice to establish/gazette restricted movement areas; meeting with affected
producers, village chiefs, community reps; seek technical and/or resource
assistance from support agencies]
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
50
Annex 6 (3 of 3)
Situation Report Form – Emergency Animal Disease (cont’d)
8. Considerations on eradicability
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
END Annex 6
51
Annex 7 (1 of 1)
Emergency Management Action Plan (Template)
(Indicative headings only, add others as required)
1.
Funding of Emergency Operations
2.
Establishment of Disease Control Centres

national disease control centre, local disease control centre
3.
Surveillance and Tracing (to identify other affected locations)
4.
Information management (including maps)




records of disease reports (paper-based; electronic?);
records of disease report investigations (paper-based; electronic?);
records of affected localities – (paper-based; electronic?);
situation reporting and updates (frequency?)
 visual aids (eg maps)
5.
Communications




6.
Laboratory confirmation of disease outbreak

7.
national; regional , OIE reference lab?
Destruction and disposal of livestock at affected sites

8.
between and within control centres;
between field staff and control centres;
media liaison; and
community and public awareness
methods, SOPs
Decontamination of affected sites

carcasses, products, feedstuffs, handling equipmt., vehicles etc.
 site inspection schedule to confirm decontamination
9.
Regulation of activities of high-risk enterprises

10.
abattoirs, live markets, fresh product (‘wet’) markets
Valuation and replacement arrangements for livestock (and
facilities) that are destroyed.
52
Annex 8 (1 of 2)
ACTION PLAN BUDGET – EMERGENCY ANIMAL DISEASE
Funding Requirements: Operating Period from ................ to ..............
Item
Accommodation
hotel/ other
Catering
Quantity
Cost (estimate)
Communications
telecommunications
other (eg radio)
advertisements
Contractors/
service providers
eg machinery hire
Control Centre
telecommunications
electricity
security
venue hire
display boards,
whiteboards
maps
Emergency supplies
eg disinfectant
equipmt for animal
destruction
protective clothing
53
Annex 8 (2 of 2)
Funding Requirements (cont’d)
Item
Quantity
plastic boxes eg 50l(for
transport of equipmt),
also as portable footbath
plastic scrubbing
brushes
tarpaulins, ground sheets
tent (portable ‘changing’
room)
water containers (eg 20l)
buckets
plastic backpacks (eg
15l) for decontamination
Transport
airfares
bus fare
vehicle hire
vessel costs
other
Cost (estimate)
54
Annex 9 (1 of 1)
REQUEST FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
FOR URGENT ATTENTION:
SPC Animal Health & Production Adviser
c/o SPC 3 Luke St ., Nabua , FIJI ISLANDS
Fax: (679) 337 0021
1. Country / Territory : ……………………………………….……………………………
2. Name of Requesting Person: …………………………..………………………………
Designation: …………………………………..…………………………………
Contact Details: …………………………………………………………………
3. Nature of emergency assistance requested:
 Technical assistance (provide details)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
 Emergency resources/ equipment/ other (provide details)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
END Annex 8
55
Annex 10 (1 of 1)
SHORTLIST OF EMERGENCY ANIMAL DISEASES
Disease
Disease agent
Animals affected
African swine fever
Iridoviridae virus
pigs
anthrax
Bacillus anthracis
ruminants, pigs, equines
avian influenza
(highly pathogenic)
Orthomyxoviridae virus
birds (mammals*)
classical swine fever
Flaviviridae virus
pigs
Picornaviridae virus
ruminants, pigs
Newcastle disease
Paramyxoviridae virus
birds
porcine respiratory and
reproductive syndrome
Togaviridae virus
pigs
rabies
Rhabdoviridae virus
warm- blooded animals
foot and mouth disease
56
12. REFERENCES

Animal Health Australia (2005). Management manual: Control centres
management Part 2: Role descriptions (Version 3.0). Australian
Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN), Edition 3, Primary
Industries Ministerial Council, Canberra, ACT, Australia.

Food and Agriculture Organisation (1999). FAO Animal Health
Manuals, No. 6. Manual on the preparation of National Animal
Disease Emergency Preparedness Plans. Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla,
00100 Rome, Italy.
57