Notifiable Diseases

Question 1

What are notifiable diseases?

Answer 1

Notifiable diseases are animal diseases that you’re legally obliged to report, even if you
only suspect that an animal may be affected.

Question 2

What is the difference between endemic and exotic notifiable diseases?

Answer 2

• Endemic –already present in the UK, such as bovine TB
• Exotic –not normally present in the UK, such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)

Question 3

Who should you report suspicion of notifiable disease to?

Answer 3

Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA)

Question 4

What are the precautions taken to minimise risk of notifiable disease outbreak?

Answer 4

• Not allow imports from infected areas/countries.
• Require pre-export tests or isolation.
• Conduct post-import documentation, identification and physical checks.
• Where necessary require post-import isolation or quarantine.
• Develop relationships of trust with trading partners.

Question 5

What is the difference between active and passive testing?

Answer 5

• Active (targets) surveillance – TB testing.
• Passive (scanning) surveillance – carcase/slaughterhouse surveillance

Question 6

What are reportable diseases? Example?

Answer 6

Require to be reported although not notifiable
E.g SARS-CoV2

Question 7

What is the effect of making a disease notifiable?

Answer 7

*Prevent intro to the UK
*Eradicate/control/prevent spread
*International trade - refuse trade with outbreak areas
*Public health - control if zoonotic
*Animal Welfare - welfare problems (Link to human welfare)
*Society - restrictions impact businesses (contractors, vets, tourism)

Question 8

Why make a disease notifiable?

Answer 8

1. To collect information
2. To confirm absence
3. To detect quickly
4. To control as part of compulsory disease control programme by the state
5. To facilitate international trade
6. To prevent risks to the public

Question 9

Why isn’t lameness in dairy cattle notifiable?

Answer 9

• Multifactorial –definitive diagnosis difficult - confirming eradication impossible.
• Very prevalent - costs excessive.
• Not zoonotic.
• No international agreement on the diagnostic criteria.

Question 10

Name some notifiable diseases.

Answer 10

*Bluetongue
*African Horse sickness
*BSE
*Foot and mouth disease
*TB
*Scrapie
*West Nile virus
*Rabies

Question 11

What are some important factors of controlling notifiable diseases?

Answer 11

1. Knowledge of the epidemiology and ecology of the organism
2. Means of identifying infected animals
3. Ability to eliminate the pathogen once identified
4. Ability to stop reintroduction of the pathogen onto premises
5. Cooperation of all sectors of the industry
6. Financial Resources
7. Infrastructure

Question 12

What are 3 ways of controlling a notifiable disease?

Answer 12

1. Minimise Contact
   * Movement controls, control and surveillance zones.
   * Slaughter of individual animals (BSE)
   * Selective slaughter of affected animals or groups (TB)
   * Whole herd slaughter (FMD, TB)
   * Biosecurity
2. Vaccination (Bluetongue)
3. Treatment (Warble Fly)

Question 13

What happens if a disease is suspected?

Answer 13

Samples taken - bloods, swabs, tissue

Question 14

How is a disease confirmed?

Answer 14

UK CVO confirms
Movements only allowed under licences issued by APHA