Veterinarians

Veterinarians can help prepare for an FMD outbreak by using the resources in the SSWS Plan to:

• Assist Biosecurity Manager(s) on sheep operations write operation-specific biosecurity plans.
• Train producers to recognize abnormal production parameters or clinical signs suggestive of FMD.

Veterinarians can help during an FMD outbreak by:

• Inspecting sheep for evidence of FMD virus infection.
• Collecting or overseeing the collection of diagnostic samples.
• Oversee the usage of FMD vaccination in animals, if used.
• Reminding others that FMD is not a public health or food safety concern. Meat is safe to eat.

Certificates of Veterinary Inspection

During an FMD outbreak, movement permits will be issued by officials managing the incident for animals and animal products (wool, semen, embryos) moving into, within, and from a Control Area. All interstate movement requirements for animals must be met as they are in “peace time”.

For premises outside a Control Area seeking to move animals, the receiving state may require a movement permit issued by the officials managing the incident or it could be a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued and signed by an accredited veterinarian. Discussions are ongoing as to which method of tracking animal movement will be used in an FMD outbreak once livestock movement is restarted.

When CVIs are used during an FMD outbreak, the stakes are even higher that interstate movement criteria are met. The criteria are described on the Regulatory Officials’ permit guidance page.

At all times, accredited veterinarians are obligated to follow the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 9, Section 161.4, meeting all the standards for accredited veterinarian duties, specifically (f), (g), and (h) as it relates to reporting suspect cases, taking measures of sanitation to prevent spread of disease, and staying informed on regulations governing the movement of animals.