HELLENIC REPUBLIC
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
GENERAL VETERINARY DIRECTORATE
ANIMAL HEALTH DIRECTORATE
ZOONOSES DEPARTMENT
Mail Address: 2, Acharnon Street
GR 101 76 Athens
Phone
: + 30 1 5291484
Fax
: + 30 1 8252614
E mail
ka6u013@minagric.gr
ATHENS, MAY 2000
.
BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS ERADICATION PROGRAM
HELLAS FOR THE YEAR 2001
1. INTRODUCTION
In Greece the bovine tuberculosis eradication program has been run by
the Veterinary Service of the Ministry of Agriculture since 1981. The program
has been approved very successful and at present the prevalence of the
disease in national basis is declining .
Although the disease is in low prevalence in bovine population in
Greece, some focuses still exist in some areas of the country. The target for
the Greek Veterinary Service is to implement an eradication program in all
these focuses during 2001, in order to eliminate the disease.
2. EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION
Greece is divided in 54 prefectures called "Nomos". The total bovine
population is estimated to 650.912 animals, reared in 31.502 herds.
The evolution of the bovine tuberculosis eradication program in Greece
for the year 1999, as well as the epidemiological situation are presented in
Tables 7, 8 attached in Annex I. As the prevalence of the disease in the
majority of the prefectures is below 1%, the eradication program is
implemented in these prefectures every two or three years.
For the prefectures included in the eradication program for the year
2001, the epidemiological situation during the last three years is presented in
Tables 1 to 6, attached in Annex I. The results after the implementation of the
eradication program for the first trimester 2000 as well as the epidemiological
situation on 31-3-2000 are presented in Tables 9, 10 attached in the Annex I.
3 . COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
For the success of the above mentioned targets of the eradication
program, intradermal tuberculin test will be conducted in all bovines over the
age of 6 weeks, belonging to T1, T2 and T (+) herds. All positive animals will
be slaughtered. Concerning the T3 herds, in order to keep their health status,
there is a provision for two intradermal tuberculin tests within a period of 12
months.
Table 1 attached in Annex II presents the herds and animals that will
be subject of investigation during 2001. It is estimated that 6.751 herds and
184.587 animals will be investigated. From these, 352 animals are expected
to be infected, which will be slaughtered and compensated during 2001.
The total cost for the implementation of the bovine tuberculosis
eradication program for the year 2001 is estimated to 128.000.000 Drachmas
equal to 376.470 EURO and is presented in detail in Table 2 attached in
Annex II .
The Commission is asked to cover 50 % of the compensation cost of
the slaughtered animals.
4. LEGAL BASIS OF THE ERADICATION PROGRAM FOR THE YEAR
2001
The Community legal basis for the program is:
- Council Decision 90/424/EEC, regarding the eligibility
- Council Directive 64/432/EEC, as it was amended by the Directives
97/12/EEC, 98/46/EEC, 98/99/EEC and the Decision 2000/322 regarding the
special actions
- Commission Decision 90/638/EEC, regarding the structure and criteria
The national legal basis for the program is:
- Law 101/1985 concerning the hygiene measures for bovine tuberculosis in
positive herds.
5. OBJECTIVES OF THE ERADICATION PROGRAM
The following objectives have been defined in the regions included in
the program of 2001:
-
To investigate all herds of unknown health status
To maintain the tuberculosis officially free health status of the herds in
each region
To establish an advanced epidemiological investigation plan to control
infection
To reduce the prevalence of the disease up to 50% of the current within a
year
To establish the tuberculosis officially free health status with a three year
strategy
To minimize losses to the cattle industry
To eliminate potential risks for human health
For the other regions of the country where a surveillance and
monitoring program is implemented the following objectives have been
defined:
- To continue the screening tests in the herds nationally
- To emphasize in maintaining the tuberculosis officially free health status of
-
herds
-
To re-evaluate the epidemiological situation in regions of low prevalence
-
and establish the frequency control status
To apply systematic evaluation on the epidemiological trends in order to
control re-infection
5. AUTHORITIES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS ERADICATION PROGRAM
5.1.
COMPETENT
ORDINATION
AUTHORITY
RESPONSIBLE
FOR
THE
CO-
OF THE PROGRAM
The authority which is responsible for the co-ordination and
control of bovine tuberculosis eradication program in the country is the
Department of Zoonoses in the Directorate of Animal Health of the Central
Veterinary Service in the Ministry of Agriculture .
The Department of Zoonoses is responsible for the co-ordination
and control of all District Veterinary Services involved in the implementation
of this program. This department collects the data, performs statistical
analysis and evaluation of the campaign and informs the relevant
authorities in the European Union about the progress of the campaign .
A committee for the co-ordination , monitoring and evaluation of
bovine tuberculosis control and eradication program is established . The
committee will assist the Department of Zoonoses in the Ministry of
Agriculture to the co-ordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
of the program.
The committee is consisted by :
1) The Director of Animal Health Directorate in the Ministry of Agriculture
who will act as President .
2) The Head of the Department of Zoonoses in the Ministry of
Agriculture who will act as Vice - President .
3) A senior veterinary officer of the Department of Zoonoses in the
Ministry of Agriculture who will be a member .
4) An epidemiologist, who will be appointed by the Central Veterinary
Service of the Ministry of Agriculture and act as the technical adviser of
the committee.
The committee will meet at least every three months in order to
evaluate the progress of the program in each prefecture and in the whole
country.
In case that the targets set in advance will not be achieved in a
prefecture, the committee will examine the situation , will make corrections
and will plan the actions in order for the targets to be achieved.
In such a case, in the committee will participate also:
1) The District Veterinary Officer of each district (Nomos)
2) The Head of the Animal Health Department of each district . (Nomos )
3) The Director and the Head of Microbiology Department of the
Regional Veterinary Laboratory.
The situation concerning the bovine and human tuberculosis is
monitored by the National Zoonoses Committee established in 1999 in which
participate 3 members coming from the Ministry of Agriculture and 3
members coming from the Ministry of Public Health (MO 1243/98).
5.2. COMPETENT AUTHORITIES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
PROGRAM
The District Veterinary Service in each prefecture is responsible for
the co-ordination of the Field Veterinary Services in the district . It
collects data referring to the application of the program in the district and
informs the Department of Zoonoses of the Central Veterinary Service .
The veterinarians of the Field Veterinary Services are responsible for
the implementation of the program, the identification and registration of the
animals, the identification of infected animals and the issue of the relevant
certificate for the movement of animals and the transhumance of the flocks.
The collection of data concerning the implementation of the program
and the reporting from the District to the Central Veterinary Service will be on
a monthly basis according to the guidelines of the Department of Zoonoses.
6 . TESTS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS
Blood testing for the confirmation of the disease will be performed in
the Veterinary Laboratory in Larissa of the Ministry of Agriculture.
The test used for the investigation of bovine tuberculosis is intradermal
tuberculin test by using PPD according to the specifications set in Directive
64/432/EEC, applied to all bovine animals as it is stated in the Annex of the
Directive 64/432.
In case of positive or inconclusive results in intradermal tuberculin test,
comparative intradermal tuberculin test by M.avium is applied for confirmation
of the disease along with serological investigation by ELISA test and/or γinterferon assay, depending on the epidemiological evaluation of the case.
In case that lesions have been ascertained during post mortem
examination, confirmation of the disease is done by bacteriological and
histological tests.
7. PREFECTURES WHERE THE ERADICATION PROGRAM WILL BE
IMPLEMENTED DURING 2001.
The bovine tuberculosis eradication program for the year 2001 will be
implemented in the following 6 prefectures (NOMOS): Thessaloniki, Kilkis,
Pella, Imathia, Attiki (East Attiki, West Attiki, Athens), Achaia. Main criteria for
the selection of the above prefectures were the high prevalence of the
disease. Considering that the estimated cost for the implementation of the
eradication program will be very high, it is asked for the financial contribution
of the Commission of the European Union. For all the other prefectures that a
surveillance and monitoring program is implemented, the cost of the
eradication program will be covered by national funds.
8. NOTIFICATION OF THE DISEASE
Bovine tuberculosis is a notifiable disease in Greece according to
article 16 of the law 101/85 . Infected animals will be marked in the right ear
by a T shape punch, isolated from the others and slaughtered as soon as
possible.
9. COMPULSORY SLAUGHTER - COMPENSATION OF SLAUGHTERED
ANIMALS
The compulsory slaughter of infected animals is carried out as soon as
possible under an official supervision in a predetermined slaughterhouse.
The slaughter must be done within 30 days maximum after the official
notification of the owner .
The carcass of tuberculin positive animals is inspected according to the
national law 410/94, which is in accordance with the Directives 91/497 and
91/498, and is destroyed if the animal suffers from generalized tuberculosis. In
case that localized lesions are found, the carcass is suitable for human
consumption after removal of the relevant offal.
The compensation of the animals which will be slaughtered in the
implementation of this program must be paid to the owner within 90 days after
the slaughter of the animals .
Before the animal's slaughter a committee will evaluate their life price
and will propose the amount of compensation taking into account the EU's
Directives and Decisions. The committee is constituted by a Veterinarian of
the District Veterinary Service , an Officer of the District Animal Production
Service and a representative of farmers co-operative .
The amount of compensation, that cannot be greater than the market
price of the animal, is defined in detail in the MO 390/2000 and it depends on
the breed and the degree of genetic improvement of the animal is as
following:
- 300.000 GRD for every purebred cow
- 230.000 GRD for every semi-purebred cow
- 180.000 GRD for every cow of domestic breed
140.000 GRD for any other purebred bovine
110.000 GRD for any other semi-purebred bovine
85.000 GRD for any other bovine of domestic breed
From the above compensation a down payment is submitted to the
herdowner after the slaughter which reach the following amount:
-
190.000 GRD for every purebred cow
130.000 GRD for every semi-purebred cow
90.000 GRD for every cow of domestic breed
For all the other bovines the amount of compensation is paid as a whole
after the slaughter.
-
10. MEASURES TO SUPPORT THE TARGETS OF THE PROGRAM
10.1. The development of a computerized database network system in
accordance to regulation 820/97/EC is in process in order to register all the
herds, identify all the animals and improve the monitoring system of animal
movements in relation to the health status.
10.2. The development of a computerized system for the management of the
control and eradication of bovine tuberculosis is also in process, in order to
gain traceability, monitoring and evaluation of the disease in very small areas.
The application of such program will collect demographic information of the
herds and animals, monitor animal movements and transhumance, record
information on the disease testing and animal health aspects and establish an
epidemiological surveillance plan.
10.3. Special educational and training courses for personnel involved in the
implementation of the eradication program (veterinarians, technicians) as well
as informative actions for the herdowners will be organized by the Department
of Zoonoses of the General Veterinary Directorate in collaboration with the
District Veterinary services. Main task of the above courses will be the
information of personnel on the current epidemiological data and recent
epidemiological trends of bovine tuberculosis, the improvement of
administration and management of the eradication program as well as
occupational health and safety issues. Such courses will be organized at least
once or more frequently, if it is considered as necessary. Special concern will
be given to the awareness of the public through the media, concerning the
disease and the eradication program. The farmers and their Associations will
be informed about the objective and the importance of the program for the
animal health and animal products. In addition, the necessity for their
collaboration with the veterinarians for the proper implementation of the
program and the application of sanitary measures for the benefit of the animal
production and the public health will be enhanced.
10.4. Monitoring of the eradication program on site will be achieved by visits of
members of the Department of Zoonoses of the Central Veterinary Service in
areas with problems in the implementation of the program. The clear
description of the situation and the collaboration with the local authorities will
lead to immediate solutions in overcoming either administration problems by
coordinating a better administrative planning, or disease problems by further
epidemiological investigation and laboratory support for the testing of the
disease.
11. HERD REGISTRATION AND ANIMALS IDENTIFICATION
According to the Greek legislation the registration of the bovine herds
as well as the identification of the animals are compulsory . All the bovine
animals over 3 weeks of age must be ear tagged . The ear tag has a number
which is consisted by two letters corresponding to country's name, two digits
indicating the code number of the prefecture (Nomos), four digits indicating
the code number of the herd and six digits which is the registration number of
the animal . With the ear tag each animal's herd of origin can be easily
identified.
All the herds are registered in the F.V.C of the area. The farmer keeps
a herd record in which all the animals of the herd are registered. A copy of this
record is kept by F.V.C of the area. Each animal must have an individual
identification card in which all the data concerning its identification as well as
its health status must be mentioned.
12. MOVEMENT OF ANIMALS
The movement of bovines is prohibited unless they are accompanied
by an official Veterinary Certificate issued by the F.V.S of the area. In this
certificate, the health status of the herd of origin as well as the purpose of
animal's movement and its final destination are mentioned. A copy of this
certificate is send officially to the F.V.S of destination for checking the arrival
of the animal.
Animals entering in a herd for reproduction must originate from bovine
tuberculosis officially free herds T3.
Animals originated from bovine
tuberculosis officially free herds T3 can also enter in an animal market.
When animals kept for reproduction and originated from bovine
tuberculosis officially free herds are transported , they must not come in
contact with bovine animals originated from herds of lower health status. In
addition, these animals must not come in contact during transportation with
swines, sheep and goats.
For the year 2001 a computerized network database program for the
identification and registration of the animals is going to be established in
accordance to the Regulation 820/97/EU in order to improve the monitoring
system of animal movements in relation to the health status.
13. HERD HEALTH STATUS CATEGORIES
According to the Council Directive 97/12 the bovine herds is divided in
4 categories concerning the health status due to bovine tuberculosis . The
four categories are the following:
T1 = The tuberculosis health status of the herd is unknown to the F.V.S of
the area. The animals included in the herd have never been tested with
intradermal tuberculin test.
T2 = All the bovine animals in the herd over the age of 6 weeks have been
tested once with intradermal tuberculin test and showed negative results. T2
is also characterized the T+ herd where all the bovines over the age of 6
weeks were negative in a test conducted 40 days after the slaughter of the
last infected animal and after the cleaning and disaffection procedures.
T+ = The herd in which all the bovines over the age of 6 weekss have been
tested and one or more animals had a positive reaction to intradermal
tuberculin test, or the possibility of infection is based on epidemiological
investigation or a lesion due to tuberculosis have been identified during post
mortem examination and mycobacterium has been isolated by bacteriological
or histological examination from infected material.
T3 = Bovine tuberculosis officially free herd. All the animals in the herd have
no clinical symptoms of tuberculosis. The last 12 months there is no case of
tuberculosis in the herd and all the animals over the age of 6 weeks have
shown negative reaction in two skin tuberculin tests at least 6 months apart
from each other. In case of a previous infection in the herd, all the animals
over the age of 6 weeks must have shown negative reaction in two skin
tuberculin tests, the first performed 6 months after removal of the source of
infection. It is considered that the source of infection has been removed when
all the animals over the age of 6 weeks have shown negative reaction in a
tuberculin test at least 60 after the last infected animals’ slaughter and
completion of the disaffection of the herd. The second tuberculin test is
conducted 6 months after the first one. In case of reestablishing a herd with
animals originated from officially tuberculosis free herds (T3), the first
tuberculin test is conducted 60 days after the reestablishment of the herd. The
introduction of animals in a herd is prohibited after the completion of the first
tuberculin test in all animals of the destination herd over the age of 6 weeks,
unless the new animals have shown negative reaction on a tuberculin test
conducted 30 days before or 30 days after their introduction in the herd (if the
introduced animals have been isolated for this time period).
14. DESIGNATION AND RETAINING PROCEDURES OF THE HERD
HEALTH STATUS
14.1. Designating a herd of unknown health status (T1) to tuberculosis
officially free herd (T3).
The procedure for designating a (T1) herd to (T3) is as following:
-
-
-
All bovine animals over the age of 6 weeks are subjects of intradermal
tuberculin test according to the Annex of the Council Directive 97/12.
If the results of the first tuberculin test are negative, the herd is
characterized as tuberculosis negative (T2).
In (T2) herds a tuberculin test is conducted to all animals over the age of 6
weeks, 6 months after the first test. If the results of the second tuberculin
test are negative, the herd is characterized as tuberculosis officially free
(T3) under the following conditions:
No animal over the age of 6 weeks has been introduced in the herd
without negative reaction to a tuberculin test performed 30 days before or
-
after the introduction of the animal to the destination herd.
The animals of the herd have never come in contact with animals in a herd
of lower health status.
14.2. Designating a herd of unknown health status (T1) to a
tuberculosis positive herd (T+).
In case that even one animal of the herd shows positive reaction in
intradermal tuberculin test, the herd is defined as infected (T+).
-
-
-
-
14.3. Retaining the tuberculosis officially free herd health status (T3).
A herd in order to retain the tuberculosis officially free herd health
status (T3) cover the following conditions:
All the animals in the herd have no clinical symptoms of tuberculosis.
The animals over the age of 6 weeks are tested once a year and show
negative results in a skin tuberculin test.
All the animals over the age of 6 weeks introduced in the herd must
originate from a tuberculosis officially free herd (T3), tested 30 days before
or 30 days after their introduction in the herd (if the introduced animals
have been isolated for this time period).
14.4. Frequency of intradermal tuberculin testing in a region
characterized as tuberculosis officially free.
All bovine animals in the country are subjects of intradermal
tuberculin testing once a year.
The frequency control of tuberculosis officially free herds in a
prefecture can change to:
Every two years, if the average percentage of infected herds in the
prefecture on the 31st of December of each year do not exceed 1% the last
two yearly testing control.
Every three years or the age of animals tested by intradermally tuberculin
test is 24 months, if the average percentage of infected herds in the
prefecture on the 31st of December of each year do not exceed 0,2% the
last two two-year frequency testing control.
Every four years, if the average percentage of infected herds in the
prefecture on the 31st of December of each year do not exceed 0,1% the
last two three-year frequency testing control. In this case the competent
authority may stop the control program if:
-
All the bovine animals introduced in the herds of the prefecture give
negative results in intradermal tuberculin testing.
All the bovine animals slaughtered in the slaughterhouses of the prefecture
are under official post-mortem examination and in case of finding
tuberculosis lesions, confirmation of the infection is performed by
histological and bacteriological laboratory examination and identification of
M.bovis.
The frequency control in each prefecture is changing after the permission of
the Dept.of Zoonoses of Animal Health Directorate in the Central Veterinary
Service of the Ministry of Agriculture, which is based on the epidemiological
data of the region. The permission is suspended if the requirements are not
followed.
14.5. Suspension of the tuberculosis officially free herd health status
(T3).
A) The tuberculosis officially free herd health status (T3) is suspended in
case that:
- Clinical symptoms related to tuberculosis are reported to an animal of the
herd.
-
Introduction of animal originating from a herd tuberculosis non officially
free has occurred.
The animal has not been tested by intradermal tuberculin test whenever is
required.
The animals of the herd have come in contact with animals of tuberculosis
lower herd health status.
The suspended herd health status under the previous circumstances can be
restored if:
-
-
All the necessary serological, histological and bacteriological tests have
been performed o suspected animals and there is no evidence for
tuberculosis infection.
All the animals over the age of 6 weeks give negative results in intradermal
tuberculin test 42 days after the suspension of the health status or 42 days
after the removal of the suspected for infection animals, if there are any.
B) The tuberculosis officially free herd health status (T3) is suspended also in
case that:
-
One or more animals of the herd react positively in intradermal tuberculin
-
test.
Suspected tuberculosis lesions are found in post-mortem examination of
animals of the herd.
In the above case the infected animals are removed from the herd and
slaughtered and an epidemiological investigation is undertaken in order to
collect relevant data. The carcasses of the positive reactors are inspected
independently of the existence of lesions and laboratory methods are
performed in order to identify M.bovis. The herd health status remains under
suspension until the completion of the laboratory examination. If the diagnosis
of tuberculosis is confirmed the officially free herd health status is withdrawn
and the herd is designated as infected (T+). If the tuberculosis outbreak is not
confirmed the officially free health status is re-established (T3) when all the
bovine animals of the herd over the age of 6 weeks react negatively in
intradermal tuberculin test performed 42 days after the removal of the
suspected for infection animals.
C) The officially free herd health status is suspended also in case that:
-
Intradermal tuberculin test in animals gave inconclusive results
In this case, the animals are restricted until to clear out the situation by
comparative intradermal tuberculin test 42 days after the simple tuberculin
test, or serological examination, or post-mortem examination and
laboratory testing. The herd health status is reestablished as soon as the
health status of the animals shown inconclusive results on simple
intradermal tuberculin test has been confirmed.
14.5. Withdrawal of the tuberculosis officially free herd health status
(T3).
The officially free herd health status is withdrawn and the herd is
designated as infected (T+) if tuberculosis cases are confirmed with the
identification of M.bovis in laboratory testing of lesions during post- mortem
examination. In this case an epidemiological investigation is conducted in
order to identify the source of infection and the possibility of epidemiological
link of the infected herd to other herds.
In addition the competent authority may withdraw the officially free herd
health status in the following cases:
-
-
Clinical symptoms are observed related to bovine tuberculosis
Animal from non-officially free herd health status has been introduced, or
the intradermal tuberculin test has not been conducted the appropriate
time, or the animals of the herd have come in contact with animals of lower
health status.
Post-mortem examination has shown characteristicic lesions of bovine
Tuberculosis
Epidemiological investigation leads to the possibility of infection in a herd.
This action is considered as necessary in order to control the bovine
tuberculosis in a region.
In the above cases the competent authorities will define the method of reestablishing the health status of the herd.
14.6. Restoration of officially free herd health status (T3).
In case that the health status of a herd has been withdrawn because it
was found infected (T+), the officially free health status is restored:
- When all the necessary sanitary measures have been applied properly in
the infected from bovine tuberculosis herds and all positive reactors have
-
been slaughtered.
After the completion of the disaffection process of the herd premises.
After all the bovine animals of the herd over the age of 6 weeks are
identified as negative reactors with two intradermal tuberculin tests
performed, the first 60 days after the slaughter of the last infected animal
reacted positively in the intradermal tuberculin test and the completion of
the disaffection procedures in the herd, and the second at least 4 months
after the first one and not later than 12 months.
14.7. Characterization of a region as tuberculosis officially free.
A prefecture in order to be characterized as tuberculosis officially is
necessary to:
- The infected herds with bovine tuberculosis should not exceed the 0,1% of
the existed in the region herds every year and for 6 consecutive years and
at least 99,9% of the existing herds are designated as officially free (T3)
every year and for 6 consecutive years. The percentages are estimated on
the 31st of December of each year.
-
-
An identification system for animals should be in action in the region in
order to monitor the animal movements and identify the herd of origin and
destination of each animal.
All slaughtered animals undergo official post-mortem examination.
An eradication or surveillance program is applied in the region in which the
procedures of suspension and restoration of the health status are defined.
The Department of Zoonoses of the Animal Health Directorate of the Central
Veterinary Service in the Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for the
characterization of the tuberculosis officially free region after the evaluation of
the epidemiological data in each prefecture. The characterization is
suspended or withdrawn in case that the relevant requirements are not
fulfilled.
15. MEASURES FOR INFECTED HERDS– RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF A
HERD
15.1. SANITATION MEASURES
In case of finding an animal infected from tuberculosis in a herd, the
herd's health status is withdrawn and it is characterised as infected belonging
to T+ category .
- The herd is under restriction and introduction of other animals is
prohibited.
- Healthy animals may be moved from an infected herd only for immediately
slaughter after the permission issued by the F.V.S of the area.
- The introduction of animals as well as the movement of animals to the
holding, as well as the movement of animals from the holding for other
purposes except of slaughter will be permitted only if the herd's health
status will be re-established.
-
The infected animal or animals are isolated from the healthy immediately
and marked in the right ear by a T shape punch and slaughtered as soon
as possible. An epidemiological investigation is conducted in order to
identify the source of infection or any epidemiological link to other infected
herds. The transportation of infected animals to the slaughterhouse takes
place after the permission issued by the F.V.S of the area and under
restricted measures in order to prevent spreading of the disease.
-
Other animal species susceptible to bovine tuberculosis within the infected
Holding is tested with intradermal tuberculin test.
-
-
-
-
-
Milk originating from infected animals with mastitis due to tuberculosis is
destroyed.
Milk from infected animals must be collected separately and destroyed. It
can be used for animal feeding after appropriate heat treatment. It is not
permitted to use this milk for human consumption.
The manure of both infected and healthy animals and the material used for
bedding is collected and disinfected. It is not allowed to remove the
disinfected material from the holding in less than 3 weeks from the time it
has been sprayed by a disinfectant.
The carcass of the infected animal undergoes a detailed post-mortem
examination. If lesions related to M.bovis infection are found they are
subjects of histological and bacteriological laboratory examination in order
to confirm the disease.
After the slaughter of all infected animals, the whole establishment and its
equipment is cleaned and disinfected under the supervision of the F.V.S of
the area. After the completion of the cleaning and disaffection process, a
certificate is issued from the supervising veterinarian. The type of
disinfectant used as well as the dose is mentioned in the certificate.
The process for re-establishing an infected herd begins after the issue of
the disaffection certificate.
15.2. RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INFECTED HERD
A) Sixty days after the slaughter of the last infected animal of the herd, the
remaining animals over the age of 6 weeks will be subjects of intradermal
tuberculin test. In case that the results in all animals are negative the
tuberculosis officially free status is re-established if all the investigated
animals over the age of 6 weeks show negative results in two additional
consecutive intradermal tuberculin tests 6 months apart from each other.
In case of re-establishment of an infected herd and characterization of this
herd as bovine tuberculosis officially free (T3), all animals entering the herd
are subjects of pre-movement testing 30 days before or 30 days after
entering the herd. The animals of the herd must not also come in contact
with animals of lower health status.
15.3 DEPOPULATION OF A HERD
In case that 50% or more of the animals in a herd are found positive to
tuberculosis the herd will be depopulated . In case that in the first
intradermal tuberculin test 25% to 50% of the animals are found positive
and in the second test 25% of the remaining animals are found positive
too, then the herd will be also depopulated.
In both cases the depopulation will be carried out after the suggestion of a
committee and the permission of the Central Veterinary Service in the
Ministry of Agriculture. The committee is consisted from the District
Veterinary Officer, a veterinarian from the F.V.S of the area and an
epidemiologist appointed by the Central Veterinary Service in the Ministry
of Agriculture . The decision of the committee is based on the epidemiology
of the disease , the health status of neighboring herds, the geography of
the area , the population density and the epidemiological situation of the
disease in the area due to tuberculosis, and other special features. All the
animals that will be slaughtered are compensated according to the
relevant legislation.
In case of re-establishment a depopulated herd and characterization of this
herd as bovine tuberculosis officially free (T3), all animals must originate from
bovine tuberculosis officially free herds (T3) and animals over the age of 6
weeks will react negatively in intradermal tuberculin test performed 60 days
after they are introduced in the herd.
16. TREATMENT OF INFECTED ANIMALS
According to legislation 101 /85 article 15 all the actions aiming at the
treatment of bovine tuberculosis are prohibited. Vaccination and actions
aiming at the desensitization of animals as for bovine tuberculosis are
prohibited.
17. EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION
The General Directorate of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of
Agriculture undertakes the obligation to provide all the information and make
a regular and full technical and financial report to the Commission of the E.U
about the progress of the bovine tuberculosis eradication campaign proposed
for 2001, according to the MO 399/2000.
ANNEX II
TABLE 1
ESTIMATION OF THE NUMBER OF INFECTED ANIMALS WHICH WILL BE
SLAUGHTERED AND COMPENSATED IN THE PREFECTURES WHERE THE
BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS ERADICATION PROGRAMME WILL BE
IMPLEMENTED FOR THE YEAR 2001
NOMOS
EXISTED
HERDS
INVESTIGATED
ANIMAL HERDS
S
EXPECTED TO BE
INFECTED
ANIMALS WILL BE
ANIMAL
S
HERDS
ANIMAL
S
SLAUGHTERED
1
THES/NIKI
1.554
78.481
1.554
78.481
12
20
20
2
ACHAIA
466
8220
466
8220
5
10
10
3
ΗΜΑΤΗΙΑ
822
30.994
822
30.994
5
25
25
4
KILKIS
1.475
36.434
1.475
36.434
15
30
30
5
PELLA
2.293
23.124
2.293
23.124
5
17
17
6
ATTIKI
141
7.334
141
7.334
6.751
184.587
6.751
184.587
55
97
250
352
250
352
TOTAL
The infected animals are expected to be found in herds of T1 and T2 and T+
category
TABLE 2
COST OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS ERADICATION PROGRAMME FOR THE YEAR 2001
A . COST OF INVESTIGATION
TUBERCULIN
250.000 doses x 40 Dr
VETERINARY STAFF MOVEMENTS
= 10.000.000 Dr
= 30.000.000 Dr
TOTAL COST OF INVESTIGATION:
40.000.000 Dr
B . COST OF COMPENSATION
352 animals x 250.000 Dr = 88.000.000 Dr
TOTAL COST OF
ERADICATION PROGRAMMME FOR THE YEAR 2001:
128.000.000 Dr
The total cost of bovine tuberculosis eradication programme for the year 2001 is estimated to be 128.000.000 Drachmas equal to
376.470 EURO .
Is asking from Commission to cover 50% of the cost of compensation of the animals which will be 64.000.000 Dr equal to
188.235 EURO.
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