OIE

The World Organisation for Animal Health is an intergovernmental organisation comprising 165 Member Countries, which plays an important role in the global control of major animal diseases. It is recognised by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as the Standards-setting Organisation for the international trade of livestock and livestock products. The OIE has 160 Reference Laboratories and Collaborating Centres in the various continents dealing with animal diseases including 4 Reference laboratories for foot and mouth disease (FMD) and 5 for classical swine fever (CSF). The Scientific and Technical Department (STD) of the OIE is involved through the Specialist Commissions, namely the Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases and the Biological Standards Commission, in the coordination of the various activities of those laboratories. These include basic and applied research on FMD and CSF, the sharing of information on on-going research related to FMD and CSF amongst various institutions such as the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), twinning of laboratories in the North with those of developing countries, development of surveillance guidelines, development and validation of diagnostic tests, development of new vaccines applicable in different environments, harmonisation of vaccine banks and antigens and training of laboratory personnel especially from developing countries.

Dr. Gideon Bruckner

Head of the OIE Scientific and Technical Department (STD) taking over from Dr Alejandro Schudel, will be responsible for the coordination of activities. They both have considerable experience in the coordination of scientist expert groups, laboratory and research activities. EUFMD Commission.

Dr. Christianne J.M. Bruschke

DVM, PhD
Dr. Bruschke is a veterinarian and a scientist with knowledge of zoonotic diseases, food safety, veterinary epidemiology, veterinary virology and immunology. She has broad experience in the fields of animal health and food safety & quality from different angles: as a veterinary practitioner, as a researcher and as a policy officer. She has in depth knowledge of all aspects of animal health and veterinary virology. In May 2005 she left the Animals Sciences Groups in Lelystad where she was Director Infectious Diseases to join the OIE in Paris.