Regulatory Animal Diseases

Question 1

Regulatory Animal Diseases

Answer 1

Governments monitor cases of certain animal diseases Practicing veterinarians: – Provide surveillance – Contribute to control efforts Diseases are generally chosen due to either – Adverse impact on agriculture – Human health risk

Question 2

OIE

Answer 2

Veterinary equivalent of WHO Maintains a list of internationally notifiable animal diseases Member countries must report an outbreak of any OIE‐notifiable disease within 24 hrs – Maintains a database of diseases and events (WAHID) and notification systems…(world animal health information database)

Question 3

USDA and Foreign Diseases

Answer 3

Designates the list of OIE‐reportable diseases that are not found in the USA as notifiable – FAD’s = foreign animal diseases – 48 animal diseases are listed by USDA USDA regulates all animal imports/exports USDA has veterinarians in every state – Responsibility for investigating possible FAD’s – Oversee other animal health programs – AVIC = the Area Veterinarian in Charge Manages nationwide control programs for selected enzootic animal diseases 1. Brucellosis (livestock) aka “Bang’s disease” 2. Mycobacterium bovis aka “bovine TB” 3. M. avium paratuberculosis aka “Johne’s disease” 4. Pseudorabies 5. Prions: scrapie, BSE, CWD 6. Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) aka “Coggins” 7. Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) 8. Low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) Inspects agricultural products and meat for foodborne diseases • both domestic and imported

Question 4

State Governments

Answer 4

Each state also has their own list of notifiable diseases of animals – Generally includes the USDA’s list + other diseases of regional veterinary or public health interest Varies by state – Know the laws where you practice! Report to your state veterinarian – A few diseases are reported by the veterinary laboratory instead of by clinicians

Question 5

Role of Clinical Veterinarians

Answer 5

Practicing veterinarians are a critical part of the animal disease detection system Veterinarians provide vaccinations and testing services for regulatory diseases Veterinarians perform exams and complete health certificates for animal movement

Question 6

Role of State/USDA Veterinarians

Answer 6

Monitor movement of animals between states and between countries Manage animal disease control programs Investigate possible cases of foreign/ reportable diseases Investigate animal cruelty cases Provide guidance to veterinarians on paperwork for import/export, testing, etc.

Question 7

Reporting a Disease

Answer 7

Clinical veterinarians must immediately notify regulatory veterinarians if you suspect a FAD! Note that reporting time may be longer for low‐consequence, enzootic diseases that your state (but not the USDA) requires you to report

Question 8

Suspected FAD: Response

Answer 8

A veterinarian with additional training in FAD’s (FADD) will immediately be dispatched – The regulatory vet will examine the animals – If clinical signs are not compatible with a FAD, they will file a report and send samples to a veterinary lab as a precaution – If it is compatible with a FAD, the vet will notify other agencies, initiate containment, and send samples to the USDA’s central laboratory (NVSL) If lab tests are negative, the response ends

Question 9

Suspected FAD: Lab Testing

Answer 9

In the USA, the only lab that can officially diagnose a FAD is the USDA laboratory! – Negative results from state labs “count” – Positive results from state labs must be confirmed by the USDA laboratory… if they test negative at USDA, it doesn’t “count”! Possible delays can occur, due to overloaded USDA laboratory services

Question 10

The Purpose of Accreditation

Answer 10

Federal accreditation is a USDA‐led certification program for clinical veterinarians The role of practicing veterinarians in animal disease control requires vets to know: – The signs of FAD’s – The signs of other reportable diseases – Proper procedures for vaccinating, and testing, animals for regulated diseases – How to fill out legal forms for these activities – Who to report diseases to, when, and how

Question 11

An “Optional” Program

Answer 11

Only accredited veterinarians can perform exams for health certificates – For small animals to travel interstate (on airlines) – For animals to travel to state or county fairs – For animals travelling, or being sold/shipped, between states or to another country Only accredited veterinarians can perform activities related to regulatory diseases – Bovine TB testing, EIA testing – Brucellosis testing and vaccinations – Rabies vaccination (many USA states)

Question 12

Types of Accreditation

Answer 12