VS works to 
improve the health 
and quality of 
U.S. livestock 
and poultry, and 
therefore U.S. 
agriculture’s trade 
position, through 
the eradication of 
domestic animal 
diseases. 
4 Animal Health Programs 
EP and its State and Federal cooperators 
eradicated avian influenza in 1984, classical 
swine fever (CSF) in 1978, exotic Newcastle 
disease in 1974, and sheep scabies in 1973. 
EP continues to coordinate the investigation 
of many suspected cases of foreign animal 
diseases each year. 
Not every confirmed foreign animal disease, 
however, requires a READEO to combat the 
threat. Often, the cases are isolated incidents 
that can be quickly resolved. On March 4, 
2000, VS’ National Veterinary Services 
Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, IA, confirmed 
that larvae discovered by an accredited vet- 
erinarian on an imported horse in Florida 
were screwworms. The United States eradi- 
cated screwworm in 1966. The horse that had 
screwworm was part of a shipment of 17 
horses imported from Argentina several days 
earlier. EP swung into action, coordinating 
APHIS’ response to this livestock threat. 
The horse and the premises were treated 
March 3. The horse received a second treat- 
ment March 6, and was declared screwworm 
free. No other animals were infected. 
EP also provides training to Federal and 
State veterinarians, diagnosticians, animal 
health technicians, epidemiologists, port vet- 
erinarians, foreign veterinary medical offi- 
cers, VS program specialists, and others 
whose responsibilities require knowledge of 
foreign animal disease diagnosis, identifica- 
tion, and eradication. In the event of a for- 
eign animal disease outbreak, these trained 
professionals would be called upon to help 
prevent the spread of the disease. 
Foreign animal diseases are diagnosed and 
researched safely at the Plum Island Animal 
Disease Center in New York. Plum Island’s 
state-of-the-art biocontainment facilities, 
including VS’ Foreign Animal Disease 
Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL), allow the 
study and diagnosis of exotic animal diseases 
not found in the United States to proceed 
without threatening the national animal 
population. 
FADDL also plays an important role in train- 
ing private-sector and military veterinarians, 
USDA employees, and State and foreign vet- 
erinary officials on the most current science 
and disease-identification practices. Within 
Plum Island’s biologically isolated environ- 
ment, cooperators and employees are trained 
to recognize the signs of animal diseases 
such as CSF, exotic Newcastle disease, and 
foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). 
Eradicating Domestic Diseases 
VS works to improve the health and quality 
of U.S. livestock and poultry, and therefore 
U.S. agriculture’s trade position, through the 
eradication of domestic animal diseases. 
Diseases such as brucellosis, pseudorabies, 
bovine tuberculosis, and scrapie are targeted 
for elimination, and eradication efforts are 
well underway. Other diseases like CSF and 
FMD and parasites like screwworm have 
been eradicated, resulting in more favorable 
trade conditions for U.S. exports. 
VS’ NVSL serve as key players in disease 
eradication by providing diagnostic services 
for domestic animal diseases and some for- 
eign animal diseases. In late 1999, NVSL per- 
sonnel were instrumental in diagnosing the 
West Nile virus that killed seven people in 
New York City and made dozens ill. Horses 
that became sick from the virus triggered 
VS’ involvement and NVSLss diagnoses. 
Currently, VS is cooperating with several 
States and with other Federal agencies to 
monitor for the West Nile virus and respond 
to any new outbreaks. 
NVSL employees also work closely with 
APHIS’ International Services (IS) program 
to provide consultation, reagents (substances 
used to make vaccines), and training for 
foreign governments. 
