TY - Generic T1 - Methodology of the biological risk classification of animal pathogens in Belgium Y1 - 2010 A1 - Bernadette Van Vaerenbergh A1 - F. Koenen A1 - Katia Pauwels A1 - Quanten,K. A1 - Boyen,F. A1 - Declercq,K. A1 - Desmecht,D. A1 - Thiry,J. A1 - Philippe Herman KW - Animal KW - AS KW - Belgium KW - biological risks KW - classification KW - criteria KW - demand KW - Diagnosis KW - disease KW - Diseases KW - ECONOMIC KW - effect KW - effects KW - epidemic KW - Evolution KW - health KW - Human KW - Infectious diseases KW - International KW - Laboratories KW - List KW - methodology KW - microorganism KW - microorganisms KW - movement KW - ON KW - pandemic KW - Paper KW - past KW - pathogen KW - pathogenic KW - plant KW - Plants KW - production KW - report KW - Research KW - revision KW - risk KW - risks KW - SBB KW - Spread KW - System KW - transboundary movement KW - treatment KW - use KW - world AB - Pathogenic micro-organisms receive muchattention due to their potentially harmfuleffects on human, animal or plant health.Over the past few decades, this attentionhas grown due to the emergence of new(and known) infectious diseases inducinglocal epidemics as well as worldwide pandemics.Along with the research and diagnosisof those etiological agents, (bio)safetyconcerns have highlighted the biologicalrisks associated with their deliberate usein laboratories, animal facilities and productionplants, and their transboundarymovements (import and export). This hasled to their categorisation into risk groupsand the elaboration of classification lists.Current international classification systemsrely on criteria defined by the WorldHealth Organisation, which cover the severityof the disease the micro-organismmight cause, its ability to spread and theavailability of prophylaxis or efficient treatment(1). Animal pathogens are classifiedaccording to the definitions of the WorldOrganisation for Animal Health, which alsoconsider economic aspects of disease (2).Evolution of scientific knowledge will demandregular updating of classificationlists. This paper describes the Belgian riskclassification system and the methodologythat was used for its peer-reviewed revision(with a focus on animal pathogens). PB - WIV-ISP CY - Brussels VL - 2008-2009 SN - D/2010/2505/52 U1 - 2774 ER -