In the United States, we have recently experienced two out
breaks, one in poultry (Moscovy Duck Parvovirus) and an
other affecting horses, birds, and people (West Nile Virus)
introduced from foreign countries.
What are FAD’s?
They are any disease not currently in this country that, if
introduced, would have serious implications. What would
happen if a FAD were introduced into this country? Be
cause the disease is not in our animal population, none of
our livestock would have any immunity (protection) against
the disease. A FAD would thus likely cause major losses due
to illness, death, and suffering in our animals. Producers
would lose money and consumers would be paying more for
the products at the grocery store. Precious genetic stock
may be lost. Trade barriers would be erected, causing tre
mendous financial losses. Previous outbreaks have cost mil
lions. Some FAC’s also affect humans, but, whether or not
they do, they may affect consumer confidence in a food
product.
Why are FAD’s a real threat?
Today, we live in a global economy. Trade is an integral
part of our agriculture economy, as well as our countries
economy as a whole. People, animals and products move
back and forth daily transported on planes, boats, cars or
foot. Although the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Ser
vice (APHIS) Agency of USDA has import requirements in
place to prevent introduction of disease, they are not fail
safe. Also, illegal importation is a fact of life. Some of it is in
tentional and some is done out of ignorance, such as when a
passenger brings meat products in from a country infected
with hog cholera. USDA inspects garbage from interna
tional flights and ships and has beagles which inspect bag
gage at international airports to help prevent this. There is
also the threat of bio-terrorism looming on the horizon.
1. Prepare cows properly for milking:
a. Use an approved udder wash sanitizer at recom
mended strength.
b. An optional method of udder preparation is pre
dipping with a dip labeled for pre-dipping.
c. Use single service paper towels, dry teats before ma
chine application.
d. Apply machine 1 to 2 minutes after beginning of
preparation.
2. Have a good milking system; milking equipment
should be adequate in size, functioning properly, and regu
larly cleaned and maintained.
3. Apply and remove machine carefully:
a. Properly adjust to prevent liner slippage.
b. Remove machine when cow is milked out, shut off
vacuum at claw before removal.
4. Dip each teat after each milking using a germicidal teat
dip.
The 10 Steps to Mastitis Control
What are we doing to prevent the introduction of FAD’s?
USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services (VS), takes the threat
of FAD’s very seriously. Within VS, the Emergency Pro
grams staff coordinates efforts to prepare for and respond to
outbreaks of exotic animal disease. VS’ Emergency Pro
grams staff monitors FADs and maintains an intensive sur
veillance system aimed at rapidly detecting and diagnosing
outbreaks of exotic disease in the US. This starts at the field
level. State and veterinary labs and private practicing veter
inarians form the first line of surveillance. They are tasked
with looking for and reporting suspected FAD’s.
Clues of FAD’s include an usually large number of ani
mals affected by a disease that does not fit a classic diagno
sis or does not respond to conventional treatment.
Sometimes many animals may die from the disease. The
signs of disease may include vesicular lesions (blisters, espe
cially in the mouth or on the feet and udders) or abortion
storms, new additions, and/or a history of foreign travel or
visitors on the farm.
If a FAD is suspected, the veterinarian reports it to the
USDA, APHIS, VS office in Harrisburg, PA (717) 782-
3442). From there, a Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician
will be deployed into the field to work with the private veter
inarian and help determine if they are dealing with a FAD.
USDA has laboratories in Ames, lowa and Plum Island, NY
where experts work to achieve a rapid diagnosis.
If a FAD is found, USDA stands ready to deploy an emer
gency response team to work with the state government,
producer organization, and private veterinarians toward
control and eradication of the disease. USDA’s mission is to
protect the United State’s $BO billion livestock and poultry
industry. If you suspect a FAD on your farm, please contact
your veterinarian immediately.
5. Monitor your mastitis score (DHI-SCC, WMT) regu
larly. Take action when significant increases occur.
6. Treat clinical cows, follow label recommendations,
treat aseptically. Withhold treated cows’ milk from milk
supply.
7. Segregate chronic mastitis cows, milk them last, cull
when necessary.
8. Dry treat each quarter using partial insertion tech
niques with an approved dry cow treatment at drying off.
9. Keep cows clean, udders free from soil and manure:
a. Fence off wet, swampy areas.
b. Keep free stalls and stanchions bedded properly.
c. Keep calving areas clean, properly bedded (straw
preferred).
10. Properly feed and care for cows.
Source: L.J. Hutchinson, D.V.M.
The Pennsylvania State University