
Responsibilities Related to Foreign Animal Diseases (FADs) and Reportable Conditions - Revision 1
- PURPOSE
This directive provides Public Health Veterinarians (PHVs) instructions to follow when they believe that animals may have FADs, or when PHVs observe symptoms of FADs or other reportable conditions. -
CANCELLATION
FSIS Directive 6000.1, dated 1/26/05 -
REASON FOR REISSUANCE
This directive is being revised to update the lists of reportable diseases into a single list instead of 2 lists (List A and List B) and to add Lagomorph (Rabbits) diseases to the list. This is necessary to correspond to changes made by the World Organization for Animal Health. - REFERENCES
9 CFR Part 300 to end - BACKGROUND
FADs may enter the United States (U.S.) accidentally through the importation of infected animals or animal products. Such diseases also may be carried inadvertently into the U.S. via contaminated clothing, shoes, or other objects. One or more diseases also may be introduced as an act of terrorism.The control of FADs is important because the unchecked spread of FADs into agricultural environments will have a ripple effect on many segments of the U.S. economy, including disruption of livestock marketing and trade. Outbreaks of certain animal diseases, especially zoonotic diseases, can cause considerable economic and social disruption. Other significant costs would be incurred in controlling the spread of FADs by animal quarantine, depopulation, the cleaning and disinfecting of livestock environments, and the mass disposal of animal carcasses. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has the primary responsibility to investigate suspect conditions and to respond appropriately to the final diagnosis, including reporting conditions found in the U.S. to the World Organization for Animal Health. If an FAD is detected, a chain of events is to occur at the state and national level to mitigate the risk.
The U.S. is a member country of the OIE. As of May 2004, the organization had 167 member nations. In order to fulfill its mandate, the OIE manages the world animal health information system, based on the commitment of member countries to notify to the OIE the main animal diseases, including zoonoses. Each member country is required to report the animal diseases it detects in its territory to the OIE. The OIE then disseminates information from the reports to other countries so those countries can take necessary preventive action.
OIE member countries have approved the creation of a single list of diseases notifiable to the OIE. This new list has been approved by the International Committee and was officially published in 2006. Attachment 1, Diseases Notifiable to the OIE, lists diseases for species of animals under FSIS jurisdication. The U.S. takes very seriously its commitment to reporting diseases occurring here based on OIE requirements. For more information, including the full list of diseases notifiable to the Office of International Epizooties (OIE), the OIE web site is: http://www.oie.int.
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Signs of FADs or Reportable Conditions
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If inspection program personnel observe the following signs or symptoms, or come across the following information related to animals presented for slaughter, an FAD should be considered:
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History of animals (animal records, antemortem pen cards, verbal information from the driver, or any other source of information/materials). Information on the history of animals may not be available; however, if information of this type is available, it needs to be accurately passed on to the District Office (DO) per Section VII of this directive. The following signs observed in animals transported to slaughter or information provided may point toward an FAD or a reportable disease:
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high morbidity;
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high mortality;
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severe abortion storms of unknown etiology;
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avian disease with acute deaths or central nervous system (CNS) signs; or
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history of foreign travel; foreign visitors; foreign mail or gifts; or importation of animals, embryos, or semen.
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- Antemortem conditions that do not fit with the typical conditions for a specific domestic disease such as:
- vesicular lesions;
- excessive salivation or drooling
- sudden lameness
- severe respiratory conditions;
- pox or lumpy skin conditions;
- CNS conditions or signs of encephalitic conditions (i.e. head pressing, head tilt, circling);
- mucosal diseases;
- larvae in wounds, unusual myiasis (fly maggot infestation), or acariasis (mites infestation); or
- unusual or unexplained illness or symptoms.
- Postmortem conditions such as:
- hemorrhagic septicemia;
- suspicious or unusual postmortem (necropsy) findings that do not fit typical conditions; such as, necrotic foci on tonsils, enlarged spleen, or hydro pericardium, which may be seen in some domestic diseases, but if coupled with suspicious information (e.g. , ante mortem findings, records) should warrant further investigation.
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- PHV RESPONSIBILITIES
- PHVs are to consider animals that are exhibiting these signs or symptoms (see Section VI for these associated conditions or signs) as “U.S. Suspects” or “U.S. Condemned” as appropriate under the meat and poultry product regulations.
- PHVs are to notify the DO as soon as possible when they suspect that any undiagnosed or unusual disease condition is reportable, foreign, or both (see Section VI for these conditions or symptoms). The PHV training module, “Reportable and Foreign Animal Diseases,” covers these conditions and symptoms for these conditions. The training module can be accessed at:
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/inspection/inspection-training-videos/inspection-mission-training - PHVs are to provide the following information, if available, to the DO:
- producer’s name, address, county, and phone number;
- any clinical history, including any treatments given and responses noted from the certification accompanying the animal;
- number and species of animals affected that were presented for slaughter;
- what conditions or signs are present;
any gross lesions seen; and - his or her contact information, including name, address, and relevant phone numbers.
- The DO will notify the Area Veterinarian-in-Charge (AVIC) of APHIS or the State Animal Health Official (SAHO) and provide the information outlined in Section VII C.
For State animal health office contact information see: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/official.html;
For APHIS area office contact information see: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/area_offices.htm.
- The SAHO or AVIC will determine how the case is to be handled and give the DO specific instructions at that time. If APHIS determines that an investigation is warranted, a Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician from APHIS or the State will be assigned.
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