Chapter 1.1.

Notification of diseases and epidemiological information

Article 1.1.1.

For the purposes of the Aquatic Code and in terms of Articles 5, 9 and 10 of the Statutes, every Member of the OIE shall recognise the right of the Central Bureau to communicate directly with the Veterinary Authority of its territory or territories.

All notifications and all information sent by the OIE to the Veterinary Authority shall be regarded as having been sent to the country concerned and all notifications and all information sent to the OIE by the Veterinary Authority shall be regarded as having been sent by the country concerned.

Article 1.1.2.

1. Countries shall make available to other countries, through the OIE, whatever information is necessary to minimise the spread of aquatic animal diseases and their aetiological agents and to assist in achieving better world-wide control of these diseases.

2. To achieve this, countries shall comply with the reporting requirements specified in Article 1.1.3.

3. To assist in the clear and concise exchange of information, reports shall conform as closely as possible to the current OIE disease reporting format.

4. Recognising that scientific knowledge concerning the relationship between disease agents and diseases is constantly evolving and that the presence of an infectious agent does not necessarily imply the presence of a disease, countries shall ensure through their reports that they comply with the spirit and intention of paragraph 1 above. This means that the presence of an infectious agent, even in the absence of clinical disease, should be reported.

5. In addition to notifying findings in accordance with Article 1.1.3., countries shall also provide information on the measures taken to prevent the spread of diseases, including possible quarantine measures and restrictions on the movement of aquatic animals, aquatic animal products, biological products and other miscellaneous objects that could by their nature be responsible for transmission of disease. In the case of diseases transmitted by vectors, the measures taken against such vectors shall also be described.

Article 1.1.3.

The Veterinary Authority shall send to the OIE:

1. Immediate notification (within 24 hours), by fax or electronically, of any of the following events:

   1. for diseases listed by the OIE, the first occurrence or re-occurrence of a disease in a country or zone or compartment of the country, if the country or zone or compartment of the country was previously considered to be free of that particular disease; or

   2. for diseases listed by the OIE, if the disease has occurred in a new host species; or

   3. for diseases listed by the OIE, if the disease has occurred with a new pathogen strain or in a new disease manifestation; or

   4. for diseases listed by the OIE, if the disease has a newly recognised zoonotic potential; or

   5. for diseases not listed by the OIE, if there is a case of an emerging disease or pathogenic agent should there be findings that are of epidemiological significance to other countries.

   In deciding whether findings justify immediate notification (within 24 hours), countries must ensure that they comply with the obligations of Chapters 5.1. and 5.2. of the Aquatic Code (especially Article 5.1.1.), to report developments that may have implications for international trade.

2. Weekly reports by fax or electronically subsequent to a notification under paragraph 1 above, to provide further information on the evolution of an incident that justified immediate notification. These reports should continue until the disease has been eradicated or the situation has become sufficiently stable that six-monthly reporting under point 3 will satisfy the obligation of the country to the OIE; in each case, a final report on the incident should be submitted.

3. Six-monthly reports on the absence or presence and evolution of diseases listed by the OIE, and findings of epidemiological significance to other countries with respect to diseases that are not listed.

4. An annual questionnaire concerning any other information of significance to other countries.

Article 1.1.4.

1. The Veterinary Authority of a country in which an infected zone or compartment was located shall inform the Central Bureau when this zone or compartment is free from the disease.

2. An infected zone or compartment of a disease shall be considered as such until a period exceeding the known infective period for the disease in question has elapsed after the last reported outbreak and when full prophylactic and appropriate sanitary measures have been applied to prevent possible reappearance or spread of the disease. These measures will be found in detail in the various chapters of Section 8. to Section 11. of the Aquatic Code.

3. A country may again declare itself free (i.e. self-declaration of freedom from disease) from a specific disease when it complies with all the conditions given in the corresponding chapters of Section 8. to Section 11. of of the Aquatic Code.

4. The Veterinary Authority of a country in which one or more free zones or compartments have been established may wish to inform the Central Bureau, giving necessary particulars of the zones or compartments and describing their location (e.g. by a map or other precise locators such as GPS [Global Positioning System] co-ordinates). The Central Bureau may publish this information.

Article 1.1.5.

1. The Central Bureau shall send by fax or electronically to the Veterinary Authority concerned, all notifications received as provided in Articles 1.1.2.-1.1.4.

2. The Central Bureau shall notify Members through Disease Information of any event of exceptional epidemiological significance reported by a Member.