Regulatory News

November 2009

November 4, 2009
Equine Piroplasmosis Disease Investigation Continues

Canada and a number of U.S. states have imposed movement restrictions or additional entry requirements for horses from Texas after equine piroplasmosis, a tick-transmitted blood disease of equine animals, such as horses, donkeys, mules and zebras, was detected in South Texas in mid-October. Equine piroplasmosis may be carried and transmitted by as many as 15 species of ticks. Although ticks have been collected from the South Texas ranch for testing, final results are not complete, and it is not known whether any of the ticks can serve as a host for the disease.

"Before moving horses from Texas, we urge you and your veterinarian to check with animal health officials for any state of destination, to ensure the animals have met all entry requirements," said Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas' state veterinarian and head of the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state's livestock and poultry health regulatory agency. "Regulatory requirements can be fluid as disease situations evolve, so it is essential to call each state each time you haul." As states provide entry restrictions and requirements, the documents are posted on the TAHC web site at http://www.tahc.state.tx.us. Dr. Hillman urged equine owners and veterinarians to call state animal health officials directly before hauling, as many states have not yet distributed entry requirement information. Contact information for state veterinarians may be obtained from the TAHC at 800-550-8242, ext. 710, or by emailing ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us.

"We are continuing the equine piroplasmosis disease investigation initiated in October in South Texas. No horse movement is being allowed from or to the ranch where the infection was detected," said Dr. Hillman. "While this tick-borne disease has not been considered endemic in the U.S., cases of the disease, scientifically known as Theileria equi, and previously called Babesia equi, have been detected in the U.S. Our epidemiologists are tracing the movement of specific equine animals. Blood tests will be conducted, and the animals will be examined for ticks. Individual equine owners will be contacted, if their horse needs to be tested by animal health officials."

Dr. Hillman refrained from speculating on how many equine animals will be tested or how many may be exposed or infected. "Until the epidemiological work and testing of potentially exposed horses is completed, there is no way to predict how many horses may be affected with this tick-borne illness," he said.

Dr. Hillman said horses infected with equine piroplasmosis may appear well, while others may exhibit a host of non-specific clinical signs, such as fever or anemia. These clinical signs also could be attributed to a variety of other diseases or causes. Blood tests are needed to diagnosis the disease.

"Equine owners should talk with their private veterinary practitioners about complying with interstate movement requirements, testing recommendations and protecting their horses from ticks. If a horse appears to be ill, it should be evaluated by an accredited private veterinary practitioner," said Dr. Hillman.

October 2009

October 20, 2009
Tick-Transmitted Horse Disease Detected on South Texas Ranch

A tick-borne disease known as equine piroplasmosis has been confirmed on a ranch in South Texas. Additional testing is being conducted to determine the extent of infection. Horses on the ranch are quarantined to their premises, and a thorough disease investigation is underway.

Equine piroplasmosis can affect horses, donkeys, mules or zebras and cause clinical signs common to many diseases, including poor appetite and weight loss. Death losses can occur. Some infected equine animals may exhibit few or no signs of disease. Those animals that survive the acute phase of infection may continue to carry the parasite, which has been identified as Theileria equi (formerly known as Babesia equi), for long periods of time.

"Although equine piroplasmosis is not considered to be endemic in the U.S., cases have been detected on occasion," said Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas' state veterinarian and head of the Texas Animal Health Commission, the state's livestock and poultry health regulatory agency. "In June, equine piroplasmosis was detected in Missouri, with a related case found in Kansas. In 2008, the infection was detected in Florida. These cases have been closed."

"As many as 15 tick species are capable of carrying and transmitting the blood parasite responsible for causing equine piroplasmosis," Dr. Hillman explained. "At this time, we do not know which species of tick is responsible for transmitting infection on the South Texas ranch. Additional blood and tick samples are being collected and will be submitted for analysis to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa."

Dr. Hillman said there is no vaccine for equine piroplasmosis, and treatment generally is not effective against this tick-borne infection. To avoid spread of the disease, it is important to eliminate contact with ticks and to prevent the transfer of blood from one equine animal to another.

"Equine owners may want to consult with their veterinarians for recommendations on preventing tick infestation," said Dr. Hillman. "If equine animals exhibit signs of illness, a veterinarian should be contacted, so appropriate samples may be collected for laboratory testing. Currently, we have no indication that this tick transmitted disease has occurred at other sites in Texas, but maintaining vigilance for this blood parasite is necessary in determining the extent of this disease situation."

October 12, 2009
New Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Regulations - Proposed for Free-Ranging and Captive Elk in Texas

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal, degenerative brain wasting of elk, white-tailed and mule deer, has not been detected in Texas, but maintaining surveillance for the condition is essential for animal disease response and trade purposes. The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state’s livestock and poultry health regulatory agency, has proposed new regulations to ensure adequate CWD surveillance of captive and free-ranging elk moved within the state. The TAHC will accept comments on the proposed elk rules through November 9, and the TAHC commissioners will consider the rules for adoption at their December 8 meeting in Austin.

“White-tailed deer and other deer species have been under existing CWD surveillance programs through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the TAHC,” said Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas’ state veterinarian and TAHC executive director. “The TAHC also offers voluntary CWD herd status programs for captive deer and elk to qualify the animals to be moved to other states. Furthermore, the TAHC has had importation rules in place for several years.”

“Elk are not considered to be native to Texas, and although they are under the regulatory umbrella of the TAHC as exotic hoof stock, we did not have legal authority to require CWD testing of this species until House Bill 3330 went into effect September 1,” said Dr. Hillman. The newly enacted legislation not only provides the needed authority, but also sets a Class C misdemeanor penalty for noncompliance. “We have worked closely with an elk industry task force, to develop a CWD program for elk being moved within the state. This will not only provide the disease surveillance we need, but it will also assure the health and marketability of these magnificent animals.”

“The TAHC commissioners, at their September meeting, proposed the regulations that contain the four components necessary for adequate CWD surveillance of elk being transported from their premises: authority to conduct inspections of facilities, animals and records when necessary; movement record keeping; animal identification; and testing. If adopted, the proposed elk regulations would replace existing TAHC rules that are limited only to record keeping and the identification.”

The proposed CWD elk regulations:

• Distinguish captive elk as those contained behind a fence at least seven feet high and free-ranging elk as those without the confines of a high fence.
• Require that any elk being moved or transported within the state have a visible, official identification device (ear tag) approved by the TAHC.
• Specify the content of reports that are to be completed and submitted to the TAHC within 48 hours of moving elk. Buyers and sellers of elk are to maintain records of elk movement for at least five years, and the TAHC is to be allowed access to ranch facilities and records when necessary for disease surveillance.
• Set the number of CWD tests that are required prior to moving elk from a herd.

The statistical test numbers are based on whether the elk are free-ranging or captive, and the number of animals being moved. In free-ranging elk herds, an average of one elk must be tested for every 10 moved. For captive elk herds, the testing rate is higher; one elk is to be tested for every five moved.

Under the TAHC’s proposed regulations, elk would be test-eligible at 16 months of age or older, and tests conducted in a herd would be valid for a year. Animals tested must be euthanized or harvested, allowing for the collection of brain tissue for laboratory examination.

“The captive elk herd testing is at a higher rate, as these animals are usually maintained in closer confines for long periods of time, creating a greater risk of transmission, if disease is present. CWD is manifested in infected mature deer and elk, and as the degenerative disease progresses, the animals may stagger, drop weight, lose bodily functions, grind their teeth, and salivate excessively,” said Dr. Hillman. “Because captive elk are sold and traded commercially, we also want to maintain the highest credibility for this industry, assuring high health standards.”

“Some groups of elk will be exempt from the CWD herd testing,” explained Dr. Hillman. “No testing of the herd is necessary if elk are being moved directly from the premises (farm or ranch) to a state- or federally inspected slaughter plant. Tissues can be collected for laboratory submission at the slaughter plant.”

Also exempt from testing are captive elk herds that have “Level A” status (one year) in the TAHC’s voluntary CWD monitored herd program. Owners of enrolled herds maintain annual inventories, identify animals individually, and ensure that testing is conducted when death losses occur in animals 16 months of age or older.

“Although we have not detected CWD in deer or elk in Texas, we must remain vigilant and prepared to address the disease,” said Dr. Hillman. TAHC regulations are in effect to address a CWD-infected deer or elk herd. Actions would include, but not be limited to long-term quarantine, epidemiological investigation of animals moved into and from the herd, and the humane euthanasia and testing of suspicious and high-risk animals,” said Dr. Hillman.

Comments on the TAHC’s proposed regulations must be submitted in writing by emailing: comments@tahc.state.tx.us, or by mailing them to: TAHC Comments, Box 12966, Austin, Texas 78711-2966. Comments must be received by November 9. Copies of the text of the proposed regulation may be obtained on the TAHC web site at http://www.tahc.state.tx.us . To have a copy faxed or mailed, call the TAHC at 800-550-8242, ext 710.

CWD was first recognized in 1967 in a research facility with captive wild deer in Colorado. Since then, the disease has also been detected in free-ranging elk in Colorado, in free-ranging deer and elk in Wyoming, South Dakota and New Mexico, and in free-ranging deer in Utah, Wisconsin, Illinois, West Virginia and New York. In Colorado and Wyoming, infected moose also have been found.

CWD-infected captive elk herds have been detected and depopulated in Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Infected captive deer herds have been depopulated in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and in Michigan and New York. As of March 2009, the USDA reported that infected captive elk herds existed in Colorado and Minnesota. A captive deer herd was under quarantine in Wisconsin.

Dr. Hillman said researchers believe CWD is transmitted when infected elk or deer are in close contact with others, or when their bodily wastes containing the disease-causing abnormal proteins, or “prions” contaminate feed or water. Once susceptible animals are exposed, deteriorative changes occur in the animal’s brain, eventually causing death.

“Hunters should always avoid sick, staggering or strange-acting animals,” said Dr. Hillman. “A number of diseases, including rabies, could cause erratic behavior. To date, there has been no evidence of spread of CWD to humans, but hunters should always take precautions when processing wild animals. Wear gloves, goggles and cover the nose and mouth to avoid blood splatter in wounds or the face. Wash thoroughly after handling an animal carcass. Make reports about staggering or erratic animals to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department or the Texas Animal Health Commission.”

August 2009

8/7/2009
Two West Nile virus horse cases reported: Adams and Benton counties

OLYMPIA - West Nile virus (WNV), a potentially fatal disease in equines, has been confirmed in two horses, bringing this year's total to five confirmed cases of horses testing positive for the disease, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) announced today.

A five-year-old Quarter horse gelding in Othello, has made a slight recovery. The Othello horse was not vaccinated for WNV and is the first horse confirmed to have contracted the disease in Adams County this year. A four-year-old Quarter horse gelding in Kennewick has been euthanized due to the illness. The horse had not been vaccinated.

Previously announced cases, beginning July 24, were confirmed in horses located in Ellensburg, Toppenish and Prosser. The Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Pullman reported the test results to the State Veterinarian's Office.

WNV is spread by mosquitoes that have fed on an infected bird. The disease can sicken people, horses, many types of birds, and other animals. It is not spread from horses to other animals.

Last year, Washington had confirmed cases of WNV in horses in Yakima, Grant, Benton and Kittitas counties. In previous years, WNV horse cases have been detected in Western Washington as well. Virtually all of the horses that acquired West Nile virus last year were not current with vaccinations.

WNV is fatal in about one-third of all horses that show clinical signs, although most horses do not become ill and show no symptoms at all.
Those that do become ill display loss of coordination, loss of appetite, confusion, fever, stiffness, and muscle weakness, particularly in the hindquarters.

Veterinarians who learn of potential WNV cases in horses or other animals should contact the State Veterinarian's Office at (360) 902-1881.

Additional information on WNV can be found at the state Department of Health Web site at www.doh.wa.gov/WNV and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Web site at www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/wnv.

Vesicular Stomatitis Quarantine Lifted in Starr County, Texas
Continue to Check with States of Destination Before Hauling Livestock!

Texas animal health officials have lifted a quarantine on a ranch in Starr County, where horses have recovered from vesicular stomatitis (VS), a virus that occurs sporadically in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and other western states. Currently, there are no quarantines or active investigations for vesicular stomatitis in Texas. Livestock susceptible to VS include horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, deer and other cloven-hooved animals. Infected animals can develop blisters, lesions and sloughing of the skin on the muzzles, tongue, teats and above the hooves and usually recover in two to three weeks. To prevent the spread of this virus, which is not fully understood, quarantines remain in effect until at least 21 days after the animal’s lesions have healed.

“Although the quarantine in Texas is released, some states may continue to enforce enhanced entry requirements or restrictions on Texas livestock until the height of the VS ‘season’ ends in late fall, when temperatures drop. New Mexico also has had VS this year, and it is possible that another VS case could be detected in Texas, since the virus is active this year.” said Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas’ state veterinarian and head of the Texas Animal Health Commission, the state’s livestock and poultry health regulatory agency. He urged private veterinary practitioners and livestock owners to check with the states of destination prior to moving animals to ensure all entry requirements are met.

Dr. Hillman explained that the clinical signs of VS mimic the highly dangerous foot-and-mouth disease, and a veterinary exam and laboratory tests are needed to confirm a diagnosis. “Horses are not susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease, but they are often the first animals to get VS,” said Dr. Hillman. “We can assist with private veterinary practitioners with disease investigations at no charge, and we can receive disease reports 24 hours a day at 800-550-8242.”

July 2009

Two Horses in East Texas Die from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE); Vaccinate Your Horses and Protect Against Mosquito Exposure

Two horses, one in Jasper County and the other in Newton County, in East Texas have died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Humans also are susceptible to EEE, which causes inflammation of the brain. The disease is spread by mosquitoes, and measures should be taken to prevent human and animal exposure to the biting pests.

“As part of their routine health care, horses in all parts of the state should be vaccinated to protect against dangerous mosquito-borne diseases, including West Nile Virus, and Eastern and Western Equine Encephalitis (EEE and WEE),” said Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas’ state veterinarian and head of the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state’s livestock and poultry health regulatory agency.

“It takes a week to 10 days after vaccination for the animal to develop protective antibodies, and booster shots must be administered as directed by the vaccine manufacturer to maintain the highest level of protection,” he said. “As effective as vaccines are, however, they are not foolproof, and rare instances of disease can occur. Therefore, it is essential that you protect yourself and your horses against mosquito exposure with a repellent containing DEET.”

Dr. Hillman also said other preventive measures should include draining stagnant water, where mosquitoes can breed, and using approved products that kill mosquito larvae in desired water sources, such as troughs, ponds and fountains. Avoid being outside at night or at dawn, when mosquitoes are most active, wear long sleeves when possible, and consider sheltering horses at night.

“Contact your veterinarian immediately, if your horse acts erratically, is confused, staggers or collapses. These are clinical signs of an encephalitic­or brain inflammation-- condition, and a blood test is needed to confirm the diagnosis. With appropriate supportive care, about half of infected horses may survive. An infected horse will not spread the West Nile Virus, EEE or WEE to humans,” said Dr. Hillman. Although they are not regulatory diseases, these mosquito-spread infections are reportable to the TAHC, due to their potential to cause human illness. In 2009, a horse in Washington County, also in East Texas, has been confirmed to have West Nile Virus.

EEE also has been reported in July in horses in Florida, Louisiana, Missouri and Virginia.
 

Ranchers, Regulators Weary from Cattle Fever Tick War

News Release - Texas Animal Health Commission

Texas animal health officials have cast another wide net in the battle to eradicate cattle fever ticks in South Texas. The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has temporarily quarantined 152,716 acres in Starr and Hidalgo counties. In nearby Zapata County, five-mile quarantine perimeters are being drawn around fever-tick infested pastures. A foreign pest, the cattle fever tick has the capability to carry and transmit Babesia, a blood parasite that can kill adult cattle. Although it prefers cattle, the fever tick can survive and be carried on horses, deer, elk, aoudad sheep and a number of other deer species.

Since October 2008, (the beginning of the 2009 federal fiscal year) 127 fever tick-infested premises in eight South Texas counties have been detected and quarantined. Of these, 68 premises are in Zapata County, 51 are in Starr County, and the remainder are scattered among Maverick, Brooks, Cameron, Kinney, Dimmit and Webb counties. This year's infested premises tally will eclipse last year's count of 132, and could meet or beat the record set during the 1973 fever tick outbreak -- 170 infested premises.

"The Starr-Hidalgo temporary quarantine is the fifth since July 2007 and was implemented less than 70 days after we released nearly 375,000 acres from temporary quarantine in Webb, Dimmit and Maverick counties," said Dr. Hillman. "We had very good results in Webb, Dimmit and Maverick Counties, where the tick-infested premises count has dropped to five. About 250,000 acres remain under temporary quarantine in the three counties.

"In rural Zapata County, there are no appropriate roads or easily identified boundaries for establishing a temporary quarantine. Therefore, to accomplish adequate tick surveillance in Zapata County, premises within five miles of an infested pasture are being temporarily quarantined." Dr. Hillman explained that ranchers in the temporary quarantines can move livestock after the animals undergo a clean tick inspection and treatment by the USDA Tick Force or TAHC.

Dr. Hillman explained that Tick Force and TAHC teams work inward from the outer edges of the temporarily quarantined area, inspecting ranches with cattle, horses and wildlife hosts to determine the outermost spread of the fever tick infestation. Not only do animals become tick-infested, but so do the pastures, as fever ticks may wait in the grass for months, before finding a suitable onto a host animal." said Dr. Hillman.

"When infested premises are detected, the animals and pasture are quarantined for nine months or longer, and a variety of tick eradication measures are taken. Cattle are inspected and run through dipping vats spray boxes charged with the pesticide CO-RAL. Another treatment being evaluated in field trials is injectable doramectin. Horses are sprayed, and wildlife are provided medicated feed or enticed to treatment stations where their ears and neck rub against pyrethrin-coated posts while they eat.

Alternatively, once cattle are 'tick-free,' the cattle may be moved to a new site, allowing the pasture to be 'vacated' for months, causing the ticks will starve. Greater success is achieved, however, by leaving cattle in place and continuing to inspect and treat the animals every 14 days with CO-RAL or every 25 to 28 days with doramectin. Ticks picked up from the grass by the cattle and destroyed by treatment, eventually leaves the pasture free of the pest. This long and costly process is a burden to the ranchers who must hire helicopters and cowboys time after time to round up the cattle from the thick brush," said Dr. Hillman.

"With each new infested premises, costs rise for the fever tick program­more equipment, more personnel, more products and more time. Sadly, because we have worked so hard to keep this outbreak contained to South Texas, it is not fully recognized as a national animal health issue, with potential international consequences," said Dr. Hillman, Texas' state veterinarian and head of the TAHC, the state's livestock and poultry health regulatory agency. "The longer it takes to eradicate this fever tick incursion, the greater are the chances fever ticks will be spread to other states, which will raise the costs exponentially. More people, more national resources and new tick-fighting products are needed now to get this potentially deadly pest out of the U.S."

Dr. Hillman said the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is helping ranchers with land management techniques to help reduce cattle fever ticks, including, but not limited to, cross-fencing, brush management, prescribed burning and prescribed grazing to help with livestock handling, to destroy cattle fever tick habitat, and to help manage wildlife.

For the 2010-2011 biennium, the Texas Legislature appropriated an additional $500,000 a year in state funds for the fever tick program. The TAHC will some of the funds to hire five new fever tick personnel. "The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Tick Force has received some funding to hire temporary and term workers, but sustainable, ongoing funding of about $15 million per year is needed to support this program, eradicate the current outbreak and prevent future problems. I urge industry and lawmakers to support fever tick eradication while it is still a brush fire confined to South Texas. The situation with this foreign pest could become a wildfire, particularly if ticks begin transmitting Babesia, and we have cattle deaths. We don't need a replay of the 1800s, when thousands of cattle died from tick fever," he said.

Although the fever tick was declared eradicated from the U.S. in 1943, it has never been wiped out in Mexico, which serves as a continuous source for tick reinfestation in Texas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Tick Force has fewer than 60 riders to patrol the 900 miles of the Rio Grande on horseback from Del Rio to Brownsville, and apprehend 'ticky' Mexican cattle, horses, deer, elk and susceptible species that cross the river. Detecting ticks in this narrow permanent fever tick buffer zone is expected, due to the prevalence of the tick in Mexico, explained Dr. Hillman. "Finding them farther inland indicates that our defenses are inadequate and that wandering wildlife or stray or smuggled livestock are spreading the foreign ticks. Today, 60 percent of the fever tick infestations are encroaching deeper into the 'free' areas of the state," said Dr. Hillman.

The boundary of the new temporary quarantined area in Starr and Hidalgo counties begins at the intersection of Military and Garza Roads in La Joya, in Hidalgo County. It follows Garza northward to the intersection with US Highway 83, where it follows the highway to the intersection with Jara Chinas Road. The boundary continues north on Jaras Chinas until it turns northwest on 14 Mile road, then north on Salazar Road to the intersection with FM 490. The boundary follows FM 490 northwest, crossing the county line into Starr County and continuing to the intersection with the fence line of El Junco Ranch. At this point, the boundary turns south, following the ranch fence line to Las Brisas Road/Pimienta Road, where it continues south to U.S. Highway 83. The boundary follows Highway 83 southeast, where it follows Montalvo Road, then Military Road to the intersection with Garza, the starting point of the zone. A map of the temporary quarantine zone is posted on the TAHC web site at http://www.tahc.state.tx.us or a copy is available by mail or email by calling the TAHC at 800-550-8242, ext. 710.

For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242, ext. 710, or ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us.

June 2009

[TAHC News] OK, CA, and NM Vesicular Stomatitis Requirements

As you know, vesicular stomatitis infection has been confirmed in Starr County, Texas and in De Baca County, New Mexico. A number of states have enhanced entry requirements
or restrictions to prevent the introduction of the disease. (The vesicular stomatitis requirements or restrictions are an ADDITION to entry requirements and do not replace
other documentation or testing requirements routinely required.)

For instance, Texas now requires a statement on certificates of veterinary inspection for all livestock entering from New Mexico, due to VS infection there.
The statement is: "The animals represented on this health certificate have not originated from a premises or area under quarantine for vesicular stomatitis."
(The accredited veterinarian also is to state that the animals have been examined and exhibit no clinical signs of vesicular stomatitis.)

It is crucial to contact the country or state of destination prior to shipping or transporting livestock, if you live in Texas or New Mexico! Furthermore, if you live outside
these states but plan to transport livestock into Texas or New Mexico and RETURN the animals to the state of origin, you need to know the requirements to re-enter your state.
Check with your state prior to traveling to Texas or New Mexico to ensure compliance with entry requirements in place during the vesicular stomatitis outbreak!

Additional information about vesicular stomatitis and entry requirements or restrictions we have received from other states are posted on the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) web site at http://www.tahc.state.tx.us. Vesicular stomatitis is the first topic on the home page.

Carla Everett, TAHC Public Info

May 2009

USDA to host NAIS listening sessions in seven states
Feedstuffs , April 30, 2009

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the schedule for listening sessions regarding the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) to be held in seven states in May.

The listening sessions will include information about the current program, as well as an opportunity to give public testimony or ask program-related questions, according to an April 30 U.S. Department of Agriculture statement. Discussion sessions related to the program's cost, impact on small farmers, privacy and confidentiality, liability premises registration, animal identification and animal tracing will allow producers to provide their input on ways to make NAIS into something they can support.

"USDA needs to hear directly from our stakeholders as we work together to create an animal disease traceability program we can all support," Vilsack said

The public meetings will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time, with registration one hour prior to each meeting. The meetings will be held:

* May 14 in Harrisburg, Pa.;

* May 18 in Pasco, Wash.;

* May 20 in Austin, Texas;

* May 21 in Birmingham, Ala.;

* May 22 in Louisville, Ky.;

* May 27 in Storrs, Conn., and

* June 1 in Greeley, Colo.

Additional information on the meetings.

April 2009

Feedback needed on revised rules for veterinarians, technicians and assistants
The Veterinary Board of Governors and the WSVMA Technician Task Force have collaborated to rewrite WAC 246-935-010, WAC 246-935-040 and WAC 246-935-050. The proposed rules more effectively describe the roles and responsibilities of the supervising  veterinarian, the licensed technician and the registered assistant. There are some changes to the proposed rules and your feedback is requested. Please send your comments no later than May 20 to Judy Haenke, Program Manager at the Veterinary Board of Governors at judy.haenke@doh.wa.gov.  

Texas Cattle Trichomoniasis regulation brochure available

The Texas Cattle Trichomoniasis regulations went into effect April 1, and free brochures
about the rules are available, either on the TAHC web page or by mail.

To obtain a copy from the TAHC web page, please go to http://www.tahc.state.tx.us
The brochure is the first item on the TAHC web page, followed by a news release and
the text of the regulations.

Texas Cattle Trichomoniasis Program Adopted: Interstate Rules Effective April 1, 2009; In-State Rules Effective Jan. 1, 2010. 

February 2009

USDA CEM Incident Situation Report 2/26/09. 

USDA CEM Incident Situation Report 2/23/09. 

The USDA APHIS Hot Issues web link for CEM is:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/hot_issues/cem/index.shtml

The USDA APHIS National Center for Import Center (NCIE) International Animal Export Regulations web link is: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/