Annex 15

CHAPTER 14.X. INFECTION WITH *THEILERIA LESTOQUARDI,T. LUWENSHUNI* AND *T. UILENBERGI*

Article 14.X.1. 

General provisions

*~~Animals~~*~~susceptible to *infection* with *Theileria* are~~Theileriosis is a disease of bovines (*Bos indicus*, *B. taurus*and*B. grunniens*), water buffaloes *(Bubalus bubalis)*, African buffaloes *(Syncerus caffer)*, sheep *(Ovis aries)*, goats *(Capra hircus),* camels (*Camellus dromedarius*and*C. bactrianus*) and**some*wild*ruminants. 

*~~Infection~~*~~with Theileria~~Theileriosis can give rise to disease of variable severity and ~~to *Theileria* transmission. *Theileria*~~the pathogenic agent may persist in ruminants for their lifetime. Such animals are considered carriers.

Only sheep and goats play a significant epidemiological role in the *infection* with *Theileria**lestoquardi, T. luwenshuni*and *T. uilenbergi.*

For the purposes of the *Terrestrial Code*, *infection* with *Theileria**lestoquardi, T. luwenshuni*and *T. uilenbergi* are defined as a tickborne *infection* of sheep and goats with *T. lestoquardi, T. luwenshuni*and *T. uilenbergi*.

For the purposes of this chapter, *Theileria* means*T. lestoquardi, T. luwenshuni*and *T. uilenbergi.*

The following defines the occurrence of *infection* with *Theileria*:

1)	*Theileria* has been ~~identified~~observed and identified as such in a sample from a sheep or goat; or 

2)	~~antigen or~~nucleic acid specific to *Theileria* has been identified in a sample from a sheep or goat showing clinical signs consistent with*infection* with *Theileria*, or epidemiologically linked to a confirmed or suspected~~or confirmed~~*case*, or giving cause for suspicion of previous association with *Theileria*; or

3)	antibodies specific to *Theileria* have been detected in a sample from a sheep or goat ~~that either shows~~showing clinical signs consistent with *Theileria*, or ~~is~~ epidemiologically linked to a confirmed or suspected~~or confirmed~~*case,*or giving cause for suspicion of previous association with *Theileria*.

For the purposes of the *Terrestrial Code*, the *incubation period*for *infection* with *Theileria* shall be 35 days.

Standards for diagnostic tests~~and vaccines~~ are described in the *Terrestrial Manual*.

Article 14.X.2.

Safe commodities 

When authorising the importation or transit of the following *commodities*, *Veterinary Authorities*should not require any *Theileria*-related conditions regardless of the *~~Theileria~~*~~*infection*~~health status of the *animal population* of the *exporting country* or*zone*:

1)	*meat*and*meat products*;

2)	*casings*;

3)	*milk* and *milk**products*;

4)	gelatine and collagen;

5)	tallow;

6)	semen and embryos collected in accordance with the relevant chapters of the *Terrestrial Code* ;

7)	hooves and horns; 

8)	bones.

Article 14.X.3.

Country or zone free from infection with *Theileria* in sheep and goats

1)	A country or a *zone* may be considered free from *infection* with *Theileria* when the disease is notifiable in the entire country, importation of sheep and goats and their *commodities* is carried out in accordance with this chapter, and:

a)	the country or *zone* is historically free as described in Article 1.4.6.; or

b)	a *surveillance* programme in accordance with Chapter 1.4. has demonstrated no evidence of *infection* with *Theileria* in the country or *zone* for at least two years; or

c)**an ongoing *surveillance* programme in accordance with Chapter 1.5. has found no competent tick *vectors* for at least two years in the country or *zone*.

~~2)~~~~A country or *zone* free from *infection* with *Theileria* in which ongoing *vector surveillance*, performed in accordance with Chapter 1.5., has found no competent tick *vectors* will not lose its free status through the introduction of vaccinated, test-positive or infected sheep and goats from infected countries or *zones*.~~

~~3~~2)	A country or *zone* free from *infection* with *Theileria* will not lose its status as a result of introduction of seropositive ~~or vaccinated~~sheep and goats or their *commodities*, provided they were introduced in accordance with this chapter.

Article 14.X.4.

Recommendations for importation of sheep and goats from countries or zones free from infection with *Theileria*

~~For sheep and goats~~

*Veterinary Authorities*should require the presentation of an *international veterinary certificate*attesting that the animals:

1)	showed no clinical sign of *infection* with *Theileria* on the day of shipment;

2)	come from a country or *zone* free from *infection* with *Theileria*.

Article 14.X.5.

Recommendations for importation of sheep and goats from countries or zones not free from infection with *Theileria*

~~For sheep and goats~~

*Veterinary Authorities*should require the presentation of an *international veterinary certificate*attesting that the animals:

1)	showed no clinical sign of *infection* with *Theileria* and no *infestation* with tick *vectors* on the day of shipment;

2)	were kept isolated for at least 35 days prior to shipment in an e*stablishment* where no *case*of *infection* with *Theileria* has occurred during the preceding two years;

3)	were treated with a registered acaricide, the efficacy of which has been confirmed in relation to the area of origin of the *animals*, at the time of entry into the isolation *establishment* and then at regular intervals, according to manufacturer’s instructions, allowing continuous protection against ticks until their shipment~~48 hours prior to entry to the *establishment*, no more than two days after entering the *establishment* and three days prior to shipment~~;

4)	were subjected to ~~serological and~~ agent detection tests with negative results on samples taken immediately prior to ~~on~~entry and at least 25 days after entry into ~~to~~ the isolation*establishment*~~and five days before shipment~~. 

Article 14.X.6.

Recommendations for importation of hides and skins from countries or zones not free from infection with *Theileria*

*Veterinary Authorities*should require the presentation of an *international veterinary certificate*attesting that the products have been:

1)	dry-salted or wet-salted for a period of at least 14 days prior to dispatch; or

2)	treated for a period of at least seven days in salt (NaCl) with the addition of 2% sodium carbonate (Na2CO3); or

3)	dried for a period of at least 42 days at a temperature of at least 20°C; or

4)**frozen to at least -20°C for at least 48 hours.

Article 14.X.7.

Recommendations for importation of wool and fibre of sheep and goats from countries or zones not free from infection with *Theileria*

*Veterinary Authorities*should require the presentation of an *international veterinary certificate*attesting that the products were subjected to:

1)	industrial washing, which consists of the immersion of the wool in a series of baths of water, soap and sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide; or

2)	industrial scouring, which consists of the immersion of wool in a water-soluble detergent held at 60‒70°C.

Article 14.X.8.

Recommendations for importation of trophies derived from susceptible ~~wild~~ ruminants from countries or zones not free from infection with *Theileria*

*Veterinary Authorities* should require the presentation of an *international veterinary certificate* attesting that the products have been processed to ensure the destruction of tick *vectors*. 

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*WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission/September 2022*1

*WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission/September 2022*1

*WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission/September 2022*1