ALERT:
Influenza Seen In Swine And Humans At
Recent State
Fairs
As of 08/23/12 there are no reported cases in Utah.
H3N2v Message from UDAF State Veterinarian, Dr. Bruce King
Animal exhibit safety tips
Hand washing at exhibit advice
Lavado de manos en el consejo de exposición
For more information contact Dr. Bruce King at (801) 520-4309
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IMPORT HEALTH REQUIREMENTS OF MEXICO
FOR DOGS
AND CATS EXPORTED FROM
THE UNITED STATES
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Foreign Animal Disease Disaster Drill
(Keeping Contagious Animal Diseases Out Of Utah)
July 31 to Aug. 2, 2012, veterinarians and public safety responders from Utah and Idaho are conducting a large scale Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) exercise.
The purpose of this exercise is to strengthen the teamwork between state and federal animal regulatory agencies and the livestock industry.
Secondly, our objective is to quickly identify and contain a foreign animal disease and prevent it from entering the food system.
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Brucellosis—Adult Vaccination Exception Ends
The statute on brucellosis vaccination reads: 4-31-16.5 (2) (a): Instate origin replacement cattle that are kept for breeding stock shall be official calfhood vaccinated for brucellosis. This statute has been in place since 2004. But many producers fail to realize not only the requirement but the importance of vaccinating for this disease that can cause abortion in livestock and undulant fever in man.
For that reason and the new vaccine that is now used, the Division of Animal Industry (DAI) decided to allow an exception. That exception was that from November 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011, adult vaccination for brucellosis would be allowed. Thus giving those that had neglected to vaccinate for this disease a chance to immunize their livestock and meet statute requirements.
The time for that exception has passed and adult vaccination of female animals will no longer be allowed.
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Adult vaccination for Brucellosis still needed for some cattle in Utah
By Bruce L. King, DVM. Utah State Veterinarian.
Brucellosis is a disease that causes infertility and abortion in cattle and undulant fever in humans. There are some that primarily consider this disease as being a problem of the past. While we here in the State of Utah have not had any active cases of Brucellosis for many years, a reservoir for this disease is maintained in the elk and bison population of the Greater Yellowstone Area. From this reservoir, cattle are getting infected with Brucellosis on a regular basis in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Due to the geographic threat of this disease, the Utah cattle herd remains at risk.
During the 1980s and most of the 1990s, brucellosis vaccination was required on all heifer calves from 4 to 12 months of age at change of ownership. During that time frame, most ranchers and dairymen were very faithful in maintaining an immunized herd.
In the late 1990’s the requirement to vaccinate for this disease was discontinued by the legislature and left up to the individual rancher or dairyman to make that management decision. In 2004 the legislature once again visited this arena and decided that all female animals that were maintained for breeding purposes would need to be vaccinated for brucellosis. This last legislative action was not communicated well to the ranchers and dairymen of the state. Many producers have continued to believe that the decision was theirs to make and as a result many females in the past several years have not been vaccinated for this disease. This has resulted in a naive population of cattle to brucellosis.
The brucellosis vaccine has changed some over the past several years. Prior to the mid 1990s, the vaccine used to immunize for this disease was “Strain 19.” Brucellosis “Strain 19” vaccine was very effective in preventing clinical disease in cattle. The problem with this vaccine was that on occasion an animal that had been vaccinated for brucellosis would show up on a serological test as either a suspect or a reactor with no way of being able to determine if the animal’s titer was from the vaccine or the actual disease.
A new vaccine was released in the late 1990s that addressed the above mentioned problem. This new vaccine is called “RB 51.” This vaccine is very effective in preventing brucellosis without the problem of suspects or reactor on serological tests. “RB 51” is the vaccine that is still being used today to immunize female cattle for brucellosis in the United States. With the advent of “RB 51”, the worry about titers in vaccinated cattle is no longer a concern – allowing older animals to be vaccinated.
Because of the requirement by the legislature in 2004 that all females kept for breeding purposes be vaccinated for brucellosis, no adult female cattle can be sold now in the State of Utah that have not been vaccinated for brucellosis. This means that female cattle sold for breeding purposes must have been vaccinated and have a legible brucellosis tattoo. The recent enforcement of this statute has brought to the attention of the State Veterinarian’s Office that many adult female breeding animals in State are not vaccinated for brucellosis.
Our neighbors to the north (Wyoming, Idaho and Montana) have used adult vaccination for some time to deal with the constant threat of this disease from Yellowstone National Park. The Utah State Veterinarian’s Office is currently allowing a limited time to vaccinate adult female cattle for brucellosis that have not been previously vaccinated. This “window of time” started on November 1, 2010 and will close on December 31, 2011. Those interested in taking advantage of this opportunity in reference to their cattle should contact you local veterinarian for an appointment.
The vaccine label warns that the vaccine not be given to pregnant cows due to a remote possibility of abortion after vaccination. Adult vaccination is not mandatory and should only be used on animals that were not vaccinated as heifers.
Those of you who have been faithful in vaccinating your replacement females for brucellosis, please continue to calfhood vaccinate your replacements. Those who have not been aware of this requirement, please resume calfhood brucellosis vaccination.
For more information or if you have questions, please contact my office at 801-538-7162 or email me at bking@utah.gov.
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USDA Offers New Scholarship Program
January 12, 2011
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has established a new scholarship program for non-veterinary students who wish to pursue careers that have an impact on the health of animal agriculture.
The Daniel E. Salmon Scholarship Program, named after the founding chief of USDA's Bureau of Animal Industry (predecessor to the current Veterinary Services program), will offer scholarships to both undergraduate and graduate students. APHIS noted that its Veterinary Services program relies on a wide range of professionals to support its mission, including key non-veterinarian positions such as microbiologists, entomologists and budget and management analysts. Students selected for the scholarships will receive tuition assistance, employment while in school and job benefits. They may also be eligible for a permanent federal position upon completion of their degree and scholarship program requirements.
Interested students may apply to scholarship announcements, which will be posted between January and February of each year at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/about_aphis/programs_offices/veterinary_services/recruit.shtml.
Students pursuing veterinary degrees may apply for a Veterinary Services scholarship through the separate Saul T. Wilson Jr. Scholarship Program.
Bruce L. King, DVM
State Veterinarian
Utah Department of Agriculture and Food
P.O. Box 146500
350 North Redwood Road
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6500
(801)538-7162
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Dr. Bruce King Appointed Animal Industry Director
Salt Lake City - State Veterinarian, Dr. Bruce King, has been appointed Director of the Division of Animal Industry. Utah Commissioner of Agriculture and Food, Leonard Blackham, appointed Dr. King director following the retirement of Terry Menlove who left the Department in March after service as the division director since 2006. Dr. King will remain the state veterinarian while performing the director duties.
"I am excited and thankful to Commissioner Blackham for allowing me this opportunity to lead one of the department's largest divisions," said Dr. King. "I am honored to work with our dedicated division employees as we attend to the animal care and food needs of our customers," he added.
Dr. King came to work for the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food in 1998 as a field veterinarian where he worked closely with the meat inspection program. He also was instrumental in putting into place the Utah Egg Quality Assurance Plan (UEQAP) which is a partnership between government and private industry to guard against Salmonella in eggs.
He has served as the President of the Utah Veterinary Medical Association (UVMA). He is now the 3rd Vice President of the United States Animal Health Association (USAHA). He will become the president of that organization in 2015.
Dr. King was raised in a small ranching community in Southern Utah, Antimony. He is the 3rd of ten children. He now resides in Axtell, Utah with his wife, Valene.
posted: May 23, 2011
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Handling Baby Poultry
Tips from:
David D. Frame, USU Extension Poultry Specialist
Kerry A. Rood, USU Extension Veterinarian
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State of Utah Veterinarian, Dr. Bruce King, explains how Utah dairy farmers care for their animals while safeguarding the food supply.
State of Utah Veterinarian, Dr. Bruce King, explains how dairy farmers care for their animals while safeguarding the quality of locally produced milk. Utah farmers take remarkable care of their livestock, including dairy cows, by providing good nutrition, a safe and comfortable living environment and conduct humane hygiene practices that keep dairy products safe. Practices such as tail docking ensure the high quality and safety of dairy products by decreasing the chances of any contamination. Practices like de-horning dramatically increase safety for farm workers and other livestock.
American Humane's CEO Predicts Continued Intensive Animal Agriculture, But With Significant Humane Improvements
DENVER, Dec 02, 2009 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ ----World Food Demand and Consumer Expectations for Humane Care Will Drive Both Factors, She Notes at 'Future of Animal Agriculture' Symposium
Marie Belew Wheatley, president and CEO of the American Humane Association, today predicted that intensive animal agriculture processes will necessarily continue and even increase in the future to meet continuing worldwide needs for food, but that food producers also will adopt significantly more humane methods for ensuring animal welfare and well-being in response to rapidly escalating retailer and consumer demand for such care.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070521/LAM095LOGO )
Her remarks came during the Future Trends in Animal Agriculture Symposium -- "The Future of Animal Agriculture: 2030" - at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. The symposium was held to explore issues of what will - and what should - animal agriculture look like in 2030.
"Now and into the future, there will be a significantly closer and much needed integration of improved animal welfare practices and food-production productivity," she noted. "No food producer anywhere in the world will have the luxury of focusing on productivity at the expense of sound animal welfare and husbandry. To compete, they will need to take a holistic view incorporating not only improved animal welfare, but also sustainability and resource management, food safety and affordability."
Wheatley concluded her presentation by noting that American Humane will continue to review, credential and provide reasoned, science-based standards to measure the food industry's animal welfare outcomes.
Among its many programs for animals and children, American Humane created and launched the nation's first and original monitoring, auditing and labeling program that attests to the humane care and handling of animals raised for food, which gives American Humane unique and powerful insights into how to advance animal welfare in the food-production industry. That program, known as American Humane(R) Certified, is now the pre-eminent and fastest-growing such program, covering more than 500 farming operations and more than 60 million farm animals.
About the American Humane Association
Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link(R) between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane's office in Los Angeles is the authority behind the "No Animals Were Harmed"(R) end-credit disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane's office in Washington, D.C., is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels. The American Humane(R) Certified farm animal program is the nation's original independent certification and labeling program for humanely raised food. American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive standards of the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, has been awarded the Independent Charities of America's "Best in America" Seal of Approval, has met the stringent standards for financial efficiency and accountability required by the American Institute of Philanthropy to qualify as a Top-Rated Charity, and has received a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's premier independent charity evaluator. Visit www.americanhumane.org to learn more.
About American Humane(R) Certified
American Humane Certified is the United States' first animal welfare program dedicated to the humane treatment of farm animals. It is the fastest-growing independent animal welfare label program in the U.S. American Humane has certified producers representing more than 60 million farm animals through American Humane's science-based program. Contracted third-party auditors are rigorously trained in American Humane Certified species-specific standards. As consumers and retailers are increasingly concerned about how food is raised, producers are seeking independent verification for the marketplace. American Humane Certified believes animal welfare should not only be good for animals, but also economically viable and feasible for producers. American Humane Certified works with agriculture to educate and motivate producers and demonstrate the economic and social benefits of animal welfare. American Humane Certified works closely with its independent Scientific Advisory Committee, industry professionals and producers to ensure that industry advancements and best practices are part of American Humane certification standards. Based on American Humane's 132-year legacy of being the gold standard for humane behavior, consumers trust the American Humane Certified label. Learn more at www.thehumanetouch.org.
SOURCE American Humane Association
http://www.americanhumane.org
Copyright (C) 2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
Dr. Bruce King Statement on:
Preventing H1N1 in Utah Swine
The novel H1N1 influenza is beginning to be reported in swine herds in the United States.
One outbreak occurred at a commercial farrow-to-finish swine operation.
The barn housing the affected pigs contains approximately 3,000 sows.
These pigs were exposed due to contact with humans (caretakers) that were shedding the novel H1N1 virus.
All symptomatic pigs, as well as caretakers, have fully recovered. I would suggest that if you are sick stay away from pigs.
Important facts to remember:
According to the CDC, finding the novel 2009 H1N1 virus in the U.S. swine herd does not change the fact that you cannot get the H1N1 flu from eating pork. Pork and pork products remain safe to eat and handle.
Scientific studies conducted by the USDA have proven that the H1N1 flu is a respiratory virus, not a food-borne illness, and it is not found in the blood or meat of pigs exposed to the virus.
The U.S. government has strict safeguards in place to protect the safety of our food supply.
All pork found in retail stores is inspected to the rigors of USDA inspection for wholesomeness.
Every pig is inspected to ensure only healthy pigs enter our food supply.
The “Passed and Inspected by USDA” seal ensure the pork is wholesome and free from disease.
Like any other virus, the main way that the H1N1 flu spreads is when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
The two most important steps you can take to protect you and your family from the H1N1 flu are to wash your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Additional points:
The U.S. response is the same as in Canada, Australia and Northern Ireland where Novel H1N1 was found in the swine herd earlier this year. The pigs will be monitored, allowed to recover and then return to the production system.
Thank you.
Bruce L. King, DVM
State Veterinarian
Utah Department of Agriculture and Food
801-520-4309
bking@utah.gov
USDA tracking site for H1N1 testing and results.
Posted: November, 2009