Meeting Report

EuFMD Special Committee for Biorisk Management (SCBRM)Online, 11 November 2020

European Commission for theControl of Foot-and-Mouth Disease

EUFMD SPECIAL COMMITTEE FOR BIORISK MANAGEMENT, 11 NOVEMBER 2020

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Contents

Notes and action items…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….2

Item 1. Committee Work, New situation…………………………………………………………………………………………………..2

Item 2. Training in biorisk management……………………………………………………………………………………………………2

Item 3. Continued revision of the MBRMS………………………………………………………………………………………………..2

Item 4. Annex/database of accepted inactivation/disinfection methods………………………………………………….3

Item 5. LFD inactivation protocol……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..3

Item 6. Other……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4

Item 7. Next meeting……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4

Action Items…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4

Please note the Report is available online on the EuFMD website.

EUFMD SPECIAL COMMITTEE FOR BIORISK MANAGEMENT, 11 NOVEMBER 2020

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Notes and Action Items

Present:

Members: Kirsten Tjørnehøj, Douwe Kuperus, Ronan O’Neill, Michael Eschbaumer, Graeme Harkess, Michael Eschbaumer, Stephan Karlen, and Ulrika Allard Bengtsson

EuFMD: Fabrizio Rosso, Pam Hullinger and Nadia Rumich.

Absent:

Cesare Berneri, Gonzalo Pascual

Item 1. Committee Work, New situation – new approach (temporarily) – Proposed

Smaller working groups, with responsible group coordinator

2-3 work meetings during the next two months

Circulate results to SCBRM before next meeting

SCBRM meeting approx. beginning of February.

Item 2. Training in biorisk management – What options/needs exist for providing biosafety training

through the EuFMD platform

Summary of discussion from last meeting;

Three-minute video was produced with the intention to promote courses in biosafety (link provided to the committee);

Proposed to move forward with the development of on-line courses. Identify individuals to lead the development of an outline/modules and learning objectives for each course;

Importance of clearly identify the targeted trainees and therefore divide the course for Tiers C, D (priority) with the possibility to develop specific modules for Tier A, B, with involvement of experts from endemic countries. Also still a priority to develop course material for national competent authorities and facility leaders to promote awareness of the importance of maintenance of FMD-facilities;

Identification of experts within or outside the SCBRM available to develop the training material that can be peer reviewed by the SRBRM and transformed in storyline for the v-learning modules;

Ronan (coordinator), Stephan, Graeme, Ulrika, Kirsten volunteered to work together to draft the outline with a deadline of 1 February.

Item 3. Continued revision of the MBRMS

Tiers A and B - Challenge is that there are no members representing tier A and B countries on the committee.

o Would be helpful to include representatives from endemic countries; o Possibility to propose Turkey as member for the SCBRM at the next General Session; o Michael would be willing to work with others on update of Tier A and B standards;

Follow up tiers C and D - o Michael (coordinator), Graeme, Kirsten, Douwe, Stephan, Ulrika and Ronan; o Kirsten will distribute the list of outstanding comments to the group; o Goal to have first meeting at the end of November;

The laboratories and establishments handling live foot-and-mouth disease virus in EU must meet or exceed the minimum requirements laid down in the "Minimum standards for Laboratories

EUFMD SPECIAL COMMITTEE FOR BIORISK MANAGEMENT, 11 NOVEMBER 2020

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working with foot-and-mouth virus in vitro and in vivo" established by the EuFMD (Directive 2003/85). It is not yet clear whether they will be included in the upcoming implementing/delegated acts of the new Animal Health Law. The possibility to have them included in the EuFMD constitutions, in the chapter related to obligations of Members, would be recommended.

Discussion on how MBRMS are monitored, inspected and enforced. The last inspection round was conducted by FVO (Food and Veterinary Office of the EU, Ireland) in 2010-2011. The SCBRM has previously discussed that it is time for a new round of inspections as there are several new facilities, and the old ones are getting older. The SCBRM will report on the progression of priority actions identified at the next Executive Committee and at the General Session, with the inclusion of this recommendation.

How should standards be expanded to other FAST diseases was also discussed in consideration of the expanded mandate of the EuFMD and current revision of the EuFMD Constitution. Nevertheless, priority for the SCBRM remains the further development of the MBRMS for FMD laboratories. The report at the General Session mentioned above can also include the indication of the opportunity to develop recommendations for minimum biorisk management for other FAST diseases.

EuFMD Executive Committee is revising the constitution and that provides an opportunity to include requirement to follow Bio Risk minimum standards.

Item 4. Annex/database of accepted inactivation/disinfection methods

Relevant to identify methodology, criteria, framework for listing;

Could start with the inactivation standards present in the minimum standards;

Some parts could be public (existing standards) while others could be provisional/under review and may or may not be made public. Making the methods public as ‘under review’ would allow to collect more information and expertise but with a risk to perceive them as proposed method. To be discussed further;

Graeme (coordinator), Michael, Douwe, Stephan, Kirsten, Ronan volunteer to work together to start the list the methods, criteria for inactivation and references.

Item 5. LFD inactivation protocol

Michael provided background on the concept;

There is differing opinions as to the handling requirements of full-length RNA samples even though they are inactivated;

In the UK, full length RNA is considered an infectious agent so it cannot be shipped out, but it is believed they can receive them as a diagnostic sample (Graeme). Counter terrorism regulations prevent the shipment;

IATA regulations allow transport of samples if inactivated;

It was suggested that LFD suppliers could be nudged with criteria to make them more air transport friendly, so the LFDs could serve dual purposes as a diagnostic tool and as a method for safe air transport.

o For example, ensure that they are of a size and shape that they readily fit into common primary containers (50 ml conical vial) and that there is a pH indicator of proper inactivation.

o Moreover, after the meeting Ronan O´Neill has suggested more improvements which will be discussed at the next SCBRM meeting:

LFDs could be pre-labelled with appropriate IATA or similar warnings Appropriate space on LFD to facilitate clear labelling and identification of each

LFD to match paperwork which is a requirement in any transport package.

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Pam to summarize groups comments for scrutiny of the committee (see here below) o Need to use currier with tracking for shipment of inactivated LFDs o Those collecting samples need training in how to handle, pack and transfer properly to

the reference lab for shipment o National reference laboratories with trained personnel should be the packagers and

shippers of the LFDs o New LFD platforms should be evaluated individually, but evaluation could be focused on

how similar the new LFD would be to the one in the study and then “equivalency” could be considered.

Standing TC should also weigh in and it is possible that a joint opinion could be made.

Item 6. Other

Develop guidance on how to standardize and archive responses/opinions from the SCBRM to the EuFMD

Item 7 Next meeting:

Beginning of February;

EuFMD to provide Doodle Poll to group to find a date

Action Items:

See those reported in italics;

Working groups to provide outcomes of each group to the committee at least one week in advance to allow review before February meeting so decisions can be made at that meeting.

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