Foreword 



The continued high level of the United States 

 economy is due in part to the larjre number of 

 livestock in the Nation, and their relatively 

 healthy condition. Although losses to the live- 

 stock industry in the United States due to ani- 

 mal diseases and parasites have been estimated 

 to be more than $2 billion each year, our Na- 

 tion is relatively lietter off than are most other 

 countries of the world in the prevalence of ani- 

 mal diseases. Many livestock plagues of other 

 lands do not exist here. Conversely, some na- 

 tions have successfully eradicated diseases that 

 are widespread in this country and for which 

 no eradication programs have been authorizeil 

 or undertaken. 



The Animal Disease Eradication Division of 

 the Agricultural Research Service is responsi- 

 ble to the people of the United States and to 

 the livestock industry for the control and eradi- 

 cation of diseases in livestock and poultry. 

 Progress has been gratifying. 



A milestone in State-Federal cooperative ef- 

 forts was passed with announcement on Octo- 

 ber 22, 1959, of the eradication of vesicular 

 exanthema. 



Before the 7-year campaign ended, the dis- 

 ease had spread into 43 States. Ten countries 

 had placed embargoes on our pork products. 

 Losses ran into millions of dollars. 



Incident to the VE campaign, with raw gar- 

 bage incriminated as the source of many dis- 

 ease organisms, each of the 50 States enacted 

 a mandatory garbage-cooking law. Enforce- 

 ment of these laws will assist in preventing the 

 introduction and spread of livestock and poul- 

 try diseases in the United States. 



Screwworms, it is encouraging to report, 

 were not found during the entire year in the 

 Southeastern sterile fly release area. On No- 

 vember 14, 1959, less than 2 years after the 

 start of the campaign, cooperating authorities 

 and scientists ceased the rearing and release 

 of sterile screwworm flies in the Southeast. 



Tills insect i)('st annually had rolibed live- 

 stock growers of $L*() million. The cost of com- 

 bat has boon le.ss than the livestock losses for 

 a single year. A victory has boon won — but 

 the battle against roinfestation continues. 



In the brucellosis program a new landmark 

 was reached when on April 25, 1960, New 

 Hampshire became the fir.st brucellosi.s-free 

 State. In addition to New Hampshire, 12 coun- 

 ties in 4 States were brucellosis-free. At year's 

 end, 23 States and ()3 percent of the counties 

 in the Nation, Puei'to Rico, and the Virgin Is- 

 lands were modified-certified brucellosis areas. 



Renewed interest in bovine tuberculosis 

 eradication has sparked additional research 

 and was responsible for many meetings in dif- 

 ferent States throughout the Nation. Forces 

 are being consolidated and a concerted effort 

 is being made toward finding methods to rid 

 the country of this disease. 



The State-Federal program for the eradica- 

 tion of scrapie has prevented this disease from 

 becoming established in the sheep of the Na- 

 tion. 



Sheep scabies is once again the subject of 

 considerable attention, and programs are be- 

 ing activated to reduce losses from this disease. 



Man has catapulted into a jet age. But dis- 

 ease germs have zoomed along with him. The 

 Division stays alert to the shifting pattern of 

 animal diseases. Liaison with scientists 

 throughout the world has been maintained for 

 the development of plans to cope with emer- 

 gency situations should exotic diseases find 

 their way into the Nation's livestock. 



It cannot be overemphasized, nor too often 

 reiterated, that success in the protection of the 

 country's livestock depends on constant vigi- 

 lance. To this end we have sought to strengthen 

 the regulations governing the interstate move- 

 ment of livestock and poultry. 



Division veterinarians mu.st be proficient in 

 the basic knowledge of their profession. They 



