Foreign Animal Disease Disaster Drill
Date: August 1, 2012
Foreign Animal Disease Exercise Keeps
Contagious Diseases out of Utah and Idaho
Emergency Management Assistance Compact - EMAC
Cache County, Utah – Veterinarians and public safety responders from state and federal animal health agencies across the country recognize the importance of preventing the spread of animal diseases. Such diseases are harmful to animals, greatly impact state and national economies, and in some cases can be transmitted to humans.
The Utah/Idaho Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) exercise is intended to strengthen the teamwork between the two states’ local governments and private livestock owners and prevent the spread of a FAD.
“Both of our states have excellent disease prevention plans in place, and as such we can boast disease-free status for all of the serious livestock diseases,” said Dr. Bruce King, Utah State Veterinarian. “This drill allows us to actually walk through what we would do if a serious contagious disease were to be discovered here” Dr. King added.
The livestock industries of Utah and Idaho represent a significant percentage of both states’ agricultural revenues. The combined value of both states’ livestock revenue tops $4 billion. (ID $3.2B; Utah $1.0B). Nationally, agriculture is a $300 billion industry with livestock representing more than half of the value at $153 billion (USDA, 2007 figures).
The three-day exercise included significant classroom training on topics of biosecurity on the farm, strengthening community agro-security planning, livestock inspection, techniques of incident command structure, necropsy techniques, pathogenic control, and more.
The exercise also offered training in the inspection of livestock-hauling trucks, use of personal protective equipment such as biosecurity suits, the collection of animal DNA, and an incineration demonstration (non-animal event).
Foreign animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow), avian influenza, and hog cholera can damage consumer confidence in the U.S. food supply and lead to costly trade embargos by foreign countries.
Participants: Dr. Bruce King, Utah State Veterinarian; Dr. Bill Barton, Idaho State Veterinarian; Dr. Marilyn Simunich, Director, Idaho Animal Health Laboratory and Animal Emergency Management; Dr. Warren Hess, Asst. State Veterinarian, Animal Health; Jerrianne Kolby, Planner, Utah Division of Emergency Management; Larry Hayhurst, Idaho Brand Inspection; Cody James, Utah Brand Bureau Chief.
Livestock is: Cattle-calves, dairy, milk, sheep, hogs, chicken and eggs.
http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Ag_Overview/AgOverview_ID.pdf
http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Ag_Overview/AgOverview_UT.pdf
State and federal veterinarians practice taking physical
samples from "suspect" animals
during the EMAC
(Emergency Management Assistance Compact) mock
exercise involving Utah and Idaho Departments of Agriculture
and Public Safety.
An Idaho State Highway Patrol Trooper inspects a livestock-
hauling truck near Franklin, Idaho. Animals being trasported
across state lines must have valid health certificate and brand
inspection certificate.
Contact Larry Lewis:
Office - 801-538-7104
Cell - 801-514-2152