Rinderpest Virus Sequestration and Use in Posteradication Era

Guillaume Fournié

, Wendy Beauvais, Bryony A. Jones, Juan Lubroth, Francesca Ambrosini, Félix Njeumi, Angus Cameron, and Dirk U. Pfeiffer

Author affiliations: Author affiliations: Royal Veterinary College, London, UK (G. Fournié, W. Beauvais, B.A. Jones, D.U. Pfeiffer); Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy (J. Lubroth, F. Ambrosini, F. Njeumi); AusVet Animal Health Services, Wentworth Falls, New South Wales, Australia (A. Cameron)

Abstract

After the 2011 declaration of rinderpest disease eradication, we surveyed 150 countries about rinderpest virus stocks. Forty-four laboratories in 35 countries held laboratory-attenuated strains, field strains, or diagnostic samples. Vaccine and reagent production and laboratory experiments continued. Rigorous standards are necessary to ensure that stocks are kept under safe conditions.

During 2011, a major milestone in global infectious disease control was achieved. Rinderpest was declared eradicated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Rinderpest is a disease caused by rinderpest virus, a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus; the disease has had a devastating effect on livestock health, productivity, and welfare. It became the second disease to be eradicated, 30 years after smallpox eradication. The last reported outbreak of rinderpest occurred during 2001 in Kenya (1).
Unintentional or deliberate virus release remains a serious concern as long as virus-containing material remains in the possession of vaccine manufacturers or research and diagnostic laboratories. An example to substantiate this concern is the last reported case of smallpox in a human, which originated from a laboratory (2). To manage the risk for rinderpest reintroduction, identifying these potential virus sources is essential. We conducted a questionnaire survey to assess the location and number of rinderpest virus stocks, their uses, and their storage conditions.