Minimum Questions

Question 1

1. Definition of animals suspected of being infected with anthrax:

Answer 1

Animals suspected of being infected with anthrax are those that have:

(a) been in contact with any animal which died of/was diseased with/was suspected of being diseased with anthrax during the 20 days prior to confirmation OR
(b) consumed feedstuffs/water of the same origin as feedstuffs/water of an animal which died of/was diseased with/was suspected of being diseased with anthrax OR
(c) grazed on a pasture infected with anthrax without vaccination

(vaccination being required at least 2 weeks and not more than 6 months prior to grazing any infected pasture).

Question 2

2. Definition of animals diseased with anthrax:

Answer 2

Animals deemed diseased with anthrax are those with: (a) typical clinical signs OR (b) those with characteristic lesions in their organs at post-mortem or meat inspection OR (c) those demonstrated diseased by laboratory findings.

Question 3

3. Official measures in case of animals diseased with anthrax:

Answer 3

In case of confirmation of anthrax, official surveillance must be initiated on the holding in question and the animals separated into three groups:

(i) “Diseased & Suspected of being Diseased”;
(ii) “Suspected of being Infected”; and
(iii) “Other susceptible animals”.

Those animals deemed “Diseased & Suspected of being Diseased” must then receive immediate obligatory treatment, with change of feedstuffs, change of drinking water supply and strictly no grazing.

Question 4

4. Official measures in case of animals suspected of being infected with anthrax:

Answer 4

In case of animals being suspected of being infected with anthrax, the animals in question must receive vaccination against anthrax followed by 14 days of observation.
For cattle and horses, rectal temperature must be taken and recorded every day;
for sheep, goats and pigs, daily observation is required.
In case of fever or clinical signs the animals are regarded as “suspected of being diseased” and must receive immediate obligatory treatment.

Question 5

5. Rules of taking samples in case of FMD suspicion:

Answer 5

The preferred sample for FMD diagnosis is 1 gram of tissue from the epithelium of an unruptured or freshly ruptured vesicle;

epithelium samples should be placed in a transport medium which maintains a pH of 7.2-7.4 and samples must be kept at 4oC during transport.

Where vesicle sampling is not possible, saliva, blood and/or oesophageal-pharyngeal fluid samples may be taken by probang cup in ruminants or throat swab in swine. Myocardial tissue or blood can also be submitted from fatal cases, although vesicles are preferable if present.
Samples from suspected cases must be transported to authorised laboratories according to international regulations.

Question 6

6. Use of vaccination in case of confirmation of FMD:

Answer 6

With regard to FMD, trade in vaccinated animals is prohibited, but vaccinated animals from tested herds may be moved within a Member State;

a system of traceability ensures that they are excluded from Community trade.

Emergency vaccination in case of confirmation of FMD requires
> classification of herds, with animals clearly identified and registered
> animals must not be moved
> and specific measures must be taken in the vaccination zone to control the movement of fresh meat, milk and other milk/animal products
> clinical and serological survey must be undertaken of all animals,
> two forms of vaccination protocol may be followed:

(i) Suppressive vaccination, where, as part of an immediate stamping-out strategy, all animals on clearly identified holdings, exclusively within the protection zone, are vaccinated to ensure minimum spread of the virus during the disposal of infected animals OR
(ii) Protective Vaccination, where the vaccination zone is regionalised and all animals in the zone are vaccinated, with a second surveillance zone of at least 10km then established.

Question 7

7. Rules of recovery of foot-and mouth disease free status if no vaccination has been used:

Answer 7

If no vaccination has been used, FMD-free status may be recovered if the control and eradication measures laid down for the protection and surveillance zones have been effective and may be lifted AND at least three months have elapsed since the last recorded outbreak.

Question 8

8. Definition of officially brucellosis free bovine herd:

Answer 8

A herd is deemed officially brucellosis infection free if: (a) there have been no clinical signs for at least 12 months; (b) there has been no vaccination for at least 3 years; (c) any animals introduced have only been from officially free herds or have tested negative within the 30 days prior to their introduction; AND (d) all animals over 12 months of age have tested negative in two serological tests performed 6-12 months apart.

Question 9

9. Definition of positive single intradermal tuberculin test:

Answer 9

A single intradermal tuberculin test is deemed positive if clinical signs are observed OR there is an increase of 4 mm or more in the thickness of the fold of skin at the injection site.

Question 10

10. Definition of negative single intradermal tuberculin test:

Answer 10

A single intradermal tuberculin test is deemed negative if only limited swelling is observed, with an increase of not more than 2 mm in the thickness of the fold of skin, without clinical signs, such as diffuse or extensive oedema, exudation, necrosis, pain or inflammation of the lymphatic ducts in that region or of the lymph nodes.

Question 11

11. Definition of positive comparative intradermal tuberculin test:

Answer 11

A comparative intradermal tuberculin test is deemed positive if a positive bovine tuberculosis reaction is observed which is more than 4 mm greater than the avian tuberculosis reaction OR if clinical signs become present.

Question 12

12. Definition of negative comparative intradermal tuberculin test:

Answer 12

A comparative intradermal tuberculin test is deemed negative if a negative bovine tuberculosis reaction is observed or a positive/inconclusive bovine tuberculosis reaction is observed which is equal to or less than a positive/inconclusive avian tuberculosis reaction in the same animal AND clinical signs are absent in both cases.

Question 13

13. Definition of tuberculosis free bovine herd:

Answer 13

A bovine herd may be declared officially free of tuberculosis if: (a) there are no clinical signs observed for at least 12 months; (b) all animals over 6 weeks have tested negative to two official intradermal tuberculin tests, where the first test is administered 6 months after the removal of the last infected animals and the second test is administered 6-12 months after that; (c) all animals introduced to the herd have only been from officially free herds or have tested negative within the 30 days prior to their introduction; (d) all meat inspection has required and requires compulsory investigation of any lesions; AND (e) yearly or two-yearly tuberculin testing is carried out on all animals aged over 12 months.

Question 14

14. Definition of officially enzootic-bovine-leukosis-free herd:

Answer 14

A bovine herd may be declared officially free of enzootic bovine leukosis if: (a) there is no clinical/laboratory evidence of any case of enzootic bovine leukosis in the herd and no such case has been confirmed in the previous 24 months; (b) all animals over 24 months of age have reacted negatively during the preceding 12 months to two tests carried out at an interval of at least 4 months; (c) any animals introduced into the herd come from officially enzootic bovine leukosis free herds OR originate from establishments where there has been no evidence of enzootic bovine leukosis within the 24 months prior to their dispatch AND (i) all animals over 24 months of age reacted negatively to two tests carried out at an interval of at least 4 months while kept in isolation OR have tested serologically negative within the 30 days prior to their introduction AND (ii) all animals less than 24 months of age have been born to dams that reacted negatively during the preceding 12 months to two serological tests carried out at an interval of at least 4 months; AND (d) all germinal products of bovine animals introduced into the establishment originate from establishments free from enzootic bovine leukosis or from an approved germinal product establishment.

Question 15

15. Definition of IBR-virus free bovine herd:

Answer 15

A bovine herd may be declared IBR-virus free if: (a) during the past 12 months there has been no confirmed case of IBR/IPV in bovines kept on the holding; (b) during the past 2 years none of the bovines kept on the holding has been vaccinated against IBR/IPV; (c) serologically negative results have been obtained from a blood, milk or meat juice sample taken from each bovine animal over a period of not more than 12 months OR serologically negative results have been obtained from pooled blood, milk or meat juice samples taken on at least two occasions (with an interval of 2-12 months) from (i) all female bovines over 12 months of age (sampled on at least 3 occasions at intervals of not less than 3 months); (ii) all male bovines used for/intended for breeding over 12 months of age AND (iii) a random sample of male animals not intended for breeding over 12 months of age; (d) all bovine animals introduced to the herd originate from establishments free from IBR/IPV and have tested negative in a serological test OR have been quarantined prior to their introduction and tested negative in a serological test; AND (e) all germinal products of bovine animals introduced into the establishment originate from establishments free from IBR/IPV or from an approved germinal product establishment.

Question 16

16. Maintenance of IBR-virus free status in bovine herd:

Answer 16

In order to maintain IBR-virus free status in an unvaccinated bovine herd: (a) all general requirements for an IBR-virus free herd must continue to be met; (b) serologically negative results must be obtained from blood, milk or meat juice samples taken annually from all animals over 24 months of age (bulk milk samples must be taken on at least 3 occasions at intervals of not less than 3 months); AND (c) all animals introduced to the herd may only come from officially IBR-free herds and must have tested negative in two serological tests at an interval of 21 days. In order to maintain IBR-virus free status in a vaccinated bovine herd: (a) all animals over 6 months of age must be tested every 12 months; (b) animals for slaughter must be tested before transport to the slaughterhouse; (c) in dairy herds, milk must be tested every 6 months; (d) aborted animals must be tested 3-6 weeks after their abortion; AND (e) all animals introduced to the herd may only come from officially IBR-free herds or have tested negative in two serological tests at an interval of 21 days.

Question 17

17. Definition of specified risk material in bovine animals:

Answer 17

Specified risk material in bovine animals consists of: (a) the skull (excluding the mandible but including the brain and eyes) and the spinal cord of animals aged over 12 months; (b) the vertebral column (excluding the vertebrae of the tail, the transverse processes of the lumbar and thoracic vertebrae and the wings of the sacrum, but including the dorsal root ganglia) and the spinal cord of animals aged over 30 months; AND (c) the tonsils, the last four metres of the small intestine, the caecum and the mesentery of all animals of any age.

Question 18

18. Definition of specified risk material in ovine and caprine animals:

Answer 18

Specified risk material in ovine and caprine animals consists of: (a) the skull (including the brain and eyes), the tonsils and the spinal cord of animals aged over 12 months OR animals in which a permanent incisor has erupted through the gum; AND (b) the spleen and ileum of all animals of any age.

Question 19

19. Definition of “cohort” in case of confirmation of BSE:

Answer 19

Following confirmation of a case of BSE, the case’s associated “cohort” is defined as the group of bovine animals EITHER born in the same herd as the affected animal AND born within the 12 months preceding or following the birth of the affected animal OR reared together with the affected animal at any time during the first year of their lives, such that they may have consumed the same feed as that which the affected animal consumed during the first year of its life.

Question 20

20. Official measures in case of confirmation of African swine fever on a holding:

Answer 20

In case of confirmation of ASF on a holding: (a) all the pigs in the holding are to be killed and their carcasses processed; (b) all contaminated material (meat, semen, ova) or waste must be destroyed, processed or treated; (c) cleaning and disinfection of all premises, vehicles and equipment must be performed under official supervision; (d) meat of pigs slaughtered during the period between the probable introduction of the disease to the holding and the taking of official measures shall wherever possible be traced and processed under official supervision; (e) a protection zone (first restricted zone) is to be set up with a radius of at least 3 km around the holding for at least 15 days and thisrestriction may only be lifted following a serological survey; (f) a surveillance zone (second restricted zone) must be set up with a radius of at least 10 km around the holding for at least 30 days and this restriction may also only be lifted following a serological survey; (g) a census of all holdings in the restricted zones is to be performed; (h) a ban is to be imposed on the movement and transport of pigs in the restricted zones; (i) products, persons and vehicles in the restricted zones are to be subject to movement restrictions; (j) no markets or fairs are to be permitted; AND (k) all holdings must undergo a campaign of strict cleaning, disinfection and disinsectisation. In the case of holdings where the occurrence of disease has been linked to vectors, restocking shall not take place for at least 6 years, unless (i) specific operations to eliminate the vector from the premises and places where the pigs are to be kept or can come into contact with the vector have been successfully carried out under official supervision OR (ii) it has been possible to show that the persistence of the vector no longer represents a significant risk of African Swine Fever being transmitted.

Question 21

21. Official measures in case of confirmation of classical swine fever on a holding:

Answer 21

In case of confirmation of CSF on a holding: (a) all the pigs on the holding are to be killed and their carcasses rendered; (b) any material (meat, semen, ova) or waste likely to be contaminated is to be destroyed, rendered or processed; (c) the holding is to be cleaned and disinfected under official supervision; (d) meat of pigs slaughtered during the period between the probable introduction of the disease to the holding and the taking of official measures shall wherever possible be traced and processed under official supervision; (e) an epidemiological enquiry is to be performed; (f) a protection zone is to be set up with a radius of at least 3 km around the holding; (g) a surveillance zone must be set up with a radius of at least 10 km around the holding; (h) a census of all holdings in the two restricted zones is to be performed; (i) a ban is to be imposed on the movement and transport of pigs in the restricted zones; (j) all holdings in the restricted zones must undergo a campaign of strict cleaning and disinfection; AND (k) the removal of pigs from a holding in the restricted zones is to be subject to authorisation only by the veterinary authority. The measures in the restricted zones shall continue until cleaning & disinfection in the infected holdings has been carried out AND all pigs on all holdings have undergone clinical and laboratory examinations to detect the possible presence of CSF virus: following completion of the preliminary cleaning & disinfection measures on the infected holdings, 15 days must elapse before such testing may occur in the protection zone and 30 days must elapse before such testing may occur in the surveillance zone.

Question 22

22. Official measures in case of confirmation of classical swine fever in feral pigs:

Answer 22

In case of confirmation of CSF in feral pigs the following measures are required: (a) determination of the infected area; (b) official surveillance on pig holdings in the area; (c) official census of all pigs in the area; (d) isolation of domestic pigs from feral pigs (double- fencing); (e) control of movement of pigs on and off holdings by the veterinary authority; (f) creation of a written plan to eradicate the disease in the infected area; (g) collection of information on the geographical distribution of the disease & the number of feral pigs in and around the infected area; AND (h) instigation of an information campaign to increase hunter awareness of official control measures and provide guidance on the method of removal of feral pigs found dead or shot.

Question 23

23. Use of vaccination in case of confirmation of classical swine fever:

Answer 23

The use of preventative CSF vaccination is prohibited in the EU. In case of confirmation of CSF, the Member State concerned may submit an emergency vaccination plan to the Commission for both farm pigs and feral pigs, making use of marker vaccines only (vaccines able to elicit a protective immunity analytically distinguishable from the immune response elicited by the natural infection with the wild type virus).

Question 24

24. Definition of Aujeszky disease infection free swine herd:

Answer 24

A swine herd may be deemed Aujeszky disease infection free if: (a) there have been no infections for 2 years; (b) isolation, movement control, laboratory examination and record-keeping standards are sufficient; (c) none of the pigs has been vaccinated against Aujeszky disease for 12 months; (d) all breeding sows and boars and a representative sample of fattening pigs have tested negative for Aujeszky disease; AND (e) all insemination or natural breeding is undertaken using Aujeszky-negative semen/boars.

Question 25

25. Definition of animals diseased of equine infectious anaemia:

Answer 25

Animals diseased with EIA are those displaying typical clinical signs OR those displaying non-typical clinical signs, but demonstrably carrying the virus and/or testing positive serologically on two occasions at an interval of 21 days OR those demonstrated by pathology or histopathology to be diseased.

Question 26

26. Definition of animals suspected of being contaminated with equine infectious anaemia:

Answer 26

Animals suspected of being contaminated with EIA are all those animals kept with diseased or suspected of being diseased animals within a 90-day period prior to the confirmation of the disease OR those animals showing no clinical signs, but testing positive serologically on one occasion or testing inconclusive serologically on two occasions at an interval of 21 days.

Question 27

27. Evaluation of ophthalmic test in case of glanders:

Answer 27

The ophthalmic test for glanders (less reliable than the intradermo-palpebral test) involves instillation of 0.2 ml of mallein onto the conjunctiva at the canthus of the eye after 24 hours rest. In an infected/positive animal, the eyelids, and sometimes the side of the face, become swollen and there may be a purulent discharge from the eye. If only a mucoid discharge is seen without swelling the test is deemed inconclusive. The reaction may also occur to a lesser extent in the opposite eye.

Question 28

28. Official control measures in case of confirmation of African horse sickness outbreak:

Answer 28

In case of confirmation of AHS on a holding: (a) all infected horses are to be killed and their carcasses disposed of along with any other animal waste; (b) the public is to be informed about all official restrictions and an epizootiological enquiry is to be launched taking into account relevant geographical and climatic conditions; (c) the holding is to be strictly cleaned and disinfected; (d) official surveillance and obligatory vaccination along with laboratory examination of all dogs and killing of any diseased dogs is to be undertaken in a 20 km radius around the holding; (e) a protection zone is to be set up with a radius of at least 100 km around the holding for a minimum of 12 months; (f) a surveillance zone must be set up with a radius of at least a further 50 km around the protection zone, again for a minimum of 12 months, and vaccination is to be strictly prohibited in this zone; (g) all holdings in the restricted zones must undergo a campaign of disinsectisation; (h) the competent veterinary authority is to visit all holdings keeping equids and all equids are to be sampled; AND (i) movement of horses is to be strictly prohibited in the restricted zones except for the purpose of emergency slaughter.

Question 29

29. Definition of potentially rabid animal:

Answer 29

A potentially rabid animal is any animal that shows the symptoms of the disease OR an animal that is symptomless but has been bitten by a rabid or potentially rabid animal OR a wild mammal which behaves strangely or attacks humans.

Question 30

30. Definition of potentially rabies-infected animal:

Answer 30

A potentially rabies-infected animal is any animal that has or may have been in contact with a rabid or potentially rabid animal within the last 90 days.

Question 31

31. Definition of rabies risky animal:

Answer 31

A rabies risky animal is any mammal that has attacked or bitten humans OR any dog that has not received an anti-rabies vaccination in accordance with EU regulations.

Question 32

32. Official measures with potentially rabid animals:

Answer 32

Potentially rabid domestic animals or susceptible animals kept in captivity shall be killed OR, upon the animal keeper’s request, put under official monitoring for 90 days if the conditions of such monitoring can be ensured without any problems. Animals showing clinical symptoms shall be inspected daily, whilst animals not showing clinical symptoms shall be inspected weekly. Potentially rabid stray or wild animals shall be killed, and the official veterinarian informed without delay.

Question 33

33. Official measures with potentially rabies-infected animals:

Answer 33

Potentially rabies-infected animals shall be put under official monitoring for 90 days. Potentially rabies-infected carnivores shall be monitored, with inspection once every three weeks, EITHER in isolation at the place of their keeping OR if their safe separation/isolation is not possible, in isolation at an official location. Potentially rabies- infected non-carnivorous animals shall be inspected once every three weeks and during the monitoring period the animals shall preferably be tied and separated to avoid their contact with humans or other animals.

Question 34

34. Official measures with rabies risky animals:

Answer 34

Rabies risky animals shall be put under official monitoring for 14 days and, unless they already have it, shall be marked with an electronic transponder (a microchip implanted under the skin) at the owner’s cost. At the end of the monitoring period, it is necessary for dogs to immediately receive the anti-rabies vaccination if they currently do not have a valid anti-rabies vaccination. Carnivores shall be monitored on the keeper’s site OR failing that on any other site suitable for the purpose of preventing contact with humans or other animals. Animals showing any clinical symptoms shall be inspected daily until they are fully recovered, whilst animals not showing clinical symptoms shall be inspected weekly. Rabies risky non-carnivorous animals shall be monitored in isolation at the place of their usual keeping. It is prohibited to slaughter, treat or attempt to treat any rabies risky animal.

Question 35

35. Rules of preventive vaccination of dogs against rabies:

Answer 35

Animal keepers shall arrange, at their own cost, for the vaccination of all dogs above 3 months of age by a private veterinarian responsible for supervising their animals’ health. The first anti-rabies vaccination shall be given to a dog within 30 days of reaching 3 months of age, the second within 6 months of the first vaccination and then a booster vaccination is to be administered every year afterwards.

Question 36

36. Public health measures in case of rabies:

Answer 36

The official veterinarian shall notify the competent regional medical authority if he/she confirms a case of rabies or potential rabies AND/OR if he/she becomes aware of the fact that a rabid or potentially rabid or potentially rabies-infected animal has bitten or attacked any person. Upon detection of any wound caused by a dog, cat or wild animal, the physician caring for the wound shall immediately notify in writing the competent official veterinary authority with the information available about the circumstances of the case, particularly including the name and home address of the animal keeper. Based on such notification, the official veterinarian shall take all reasonable and necessary measures without delay to contain any outbreak. The autopsy of any rabid or potentially rabid animal, or the removal of its head for diagnostic purposes, may be performed only in protective clothing to exclude the risk of zoonotic infection.

Question 37

37. Official measures in case of confirmation of Newcastle disease on a holding:

Answer 37

In case of confirmation of Newcastle disease on a holding: (a) all the poultry on the holding are to be killed on the spot and the carcasses and eggs destroyed; (b) any substance or waste liable to be contaminated is to be destroyed or treated; (c) the meat of poultry slaughtered during the presumed incubation period is to be traced and destroyed; (d) hatching eggs laid during the presumed incubation period are to be traced and destroyed (poultry which hatched from such eggs are to be placed under official surveillance); (e) thorough cleaning and disinfection of the holding is to be performed and reintroduction of birds is not to occur until at least 21 days after the end of the disinfection operations; (f) a protection zone is to be set up with a radius of at least 3 km around the holding; (g) a surveillance zone must be set up with a radius of at least 10 km around the holding; (h) stand-still measures and controlled movements of poultry are to be maintained in the protection zone for at least 21 days and in the surveillance zone for at least 30 days, and sampling of all poultry holdings is to take place in both zones before the lifting of restrictions. Strict disinfection is to involve both preliminary and final cleaning and disinfection steps. Both prophylactic and emergency vaccinations are permitted.

Question 38

38. Official measures in case of confirmation of Newcastle disease in pigeons:

Answer 38

In case of official confirmation of Newcastle disease in carrier pigeons or birds kept in captivity EITHER the control and eradication measures applicable to poultry may be applied OR at the very least a ban may be placed on movement of the pigeons or birds in captivity for at least 60 days. An epizootiological enquiry is to be instigated and any matter/waste likely to be contaminated is to be destroyed or treated.

Question 39

39. Rules of lifting the restrictions ordered in case of scabies:

Answer 39

The lifting of restrictions associated with a scabies outbreak requires the following observation periods: (i) for sheep with <2 cm wool, 42 days after dipping; (ii) for sheep with >2 cm wool, 70 days after two dippings OR 42 days after any other means of treatment; (iii) for other species, 42 days after two treatments.

Question 40

40. Official control measures with rabbit flocks diseased with viral haemorrhagic disease:

Answer 40

Rabbit flocks diseased with viral haemorrhagic disease are to have all movement of animals restricted, slaughter of the rabbits prohibited and all rabbits in the flock must be killed (carcasses are to be disposed of properly). In case of valuable flocks, killing of only diseased animals and vaccination of healthy animals may be permitted, as long as movement restrictions and vaccinations are continued for the next 6 months. Rabbits, products and anything liable to transmit the contamination must all have movement restrictions and within the protection zone authorisation may be given by the veterinary authority for the transportation of healthy animals to the slaughterhouse. Vaccination and movement restrictions are to be mandatory in the surrounding surveillance zone.