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Call for experts to join the ad hoc Group on the revision of Chapter 8.21. West Nile Fever
Apply until 18 March 2026
WOAH is convening an ad hoc Group to revise Chapter 8.21. West Nile Fever of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code (Terrestrial Code), to ensure alignment with updated scientific knowledge and consistency with other equine encephalitides chapters.
Purpose of the ad hoc Group
The Group will review and revise Chapter 8.21. to incorporate current scientific information, ensure coherence across arboviral disease chapters, and provide risk-based recommendations supporting surveillance, prevention, control, and safe international trade.
Expertise sought (desirable)
- Arboviral epidemiology, particularly West Nile virus
- Equine infectious diseases
- Vector ecology and vector-borne disease transmission
- Experience working within Veterinary Services
- Risk analysis related to international trade
- Experience with WOAH standards development
Professional and interpersonal skills
| Professional skills | Interpersonal skills | Availability requirements |
|---|---|---|
| – Internationally recognised expertise in relevant domains listed above | – Proficiency in English; ability to work in intercultural settings – Good communication skills; able to work efficiently in an intercultural environment – Good analytical skills of existing scientific literature | – Attend a multi-day meeting (presential) and virtual meetings. – Draft or review reports, guidelines, and other relevant technical documents outside of meetings – Provide expertise on an ad hoc basis |
Tasks of the ad hoc Group
- Review current Terrestrial Code Chapter 8.21. and related documents
- Propose updated surveillance and risk mitigation provisions
- Review current trade-related requirements
- Ensure alignment of Chapter 8.21. with the framework for Terrestrial Code standards (to be provided)
- Propose changes to Chapter 3.1.26. of the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals (Terrestrial Manual) as relevant
- Draft revised text with rationale and references
Expected deliverables
- Meeting report summarising discussions and rationale (with the support of WOAH Secretariat)
- Revised draft Chapter 8.21.
- Recommendations for updates to Chapter 3.1.26. of the Terrestrial Manual
- Any points requiring WOAH Specialist Commissions guidance
Timeline
The meeting is expected to take place from 23 to 25 June 2026, in person at WOAH Headquarters in Paris. The deliverables, including the revised Terrestrial Code Chapter 8.21 and the ad hoc Group report are to be submitted within three weeks following the meeting, in preparation for consideration by the WOAH Specialist Commissions at their September 2026 meeting. WOAH will cover participants’ flight costs and provide per diems for the duration of the meeting.
How to apply
Submit CV, statement of interest, and contact details to [email protected]. Deadline is 18 March 2026.
For any questions, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].