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1. FDA Fifth Biannual Progress Report on Judicious Use of Antimicrobials in Food-producing Animals
Ctr. for Veterinary Medicine Update
June 30, 2016
This CVM Update is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's fifth progress report highlighting its recent actions to promote the judicious use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals.
In December 2013, the agency took a significant step forward in addressing antimicrobial resistance by publishing Guidance #213, which calls on animal drug sponsors of approved medically important antimicrobials administered to food-producing animals through medicated feed or water to remove from their product labels indications for use related to growth promotion, and to bring the remaining therapeutic uses of these products under the oversight of a veterinarian by the end of December 2016.
All of the affected drug sponsors have committed in writing to making the changes described in the guidance by the end of 2016. The FDA fully expects this process to be completed by this deadline.
There were 293 applications initially affected by Guidance for Industry (GFI) #213. Many of these sponsors have already started implementing the recommended changes to their affected antimicrobial products: four applications have been converted from over-the-counter to prescription dispensing status; production indications have been withdrawn from one application; and 41 affected applications have been completely withdrawn. On May 11, 2016, the FDA sent a letter to remind affected drug sponsors about the agreed-upon timeframe (the end of 2016) for aligning their product with GFI #213.
Once the changes recommended in GFI #213 have been made, these products will only be obtainable upon the valid order of a licensed veterinarian and can legally only be used for therapeutic indications.
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2. APHIS Employees Finalists for the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin
June 30, 2016
Dear Stakeholders:
I'm pleased to announce that Dr. Burke Healey, along with the team of Dr. Jack Shere, Dr. Mia Torchetti, Carol Tuszynski, Dr. Steve Karli, Dr. Jon Zack and Dr. Patty Fox, all from our Veterinary Services program, are finalists for the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals for their work to stop the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the United States in 2015.
The "Sammies", as they are often called, honor federal employees whose remarkable and inspiring accomplishments make our government and our nation stronger. The Partnership for Public Service gives the award each year to federal employees who are breaking down barriers, overcoming huge challenges, putting service before self and making a lasting difference for the United States.
I couldn't be more proud of the work that Burke and the team, along with so many APHIS employees, did to respond to the HPAI outbreak last year. It was the single largest and most expensive animal disease outbreak the federal government ever dealt with, and it took a large team from across APHIS, as well as the states, industry, and other stakeholders, working together to eradicate it.
I encourage you to take a look at Dr. Healey and the team's nomination*, as well as the other nominees from across government. If you have a Facebook account, you can vote for the People's Choice Award, which goes to the team you think made the most admirable contribution to the American people.
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3. Virginia Confirms First Equine EEE Case for 2016 [edited]
By Edited Press Release
TheHorse.com
June 30, 2016
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) reported June 30 that it has received a report of the first case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in a Virginia horse this year.
The horse, a Saddlebred mare from Suffolk, began exhibiting clinical signs of disease June 22 and was euthanized June 23. Her vaccination record is unknown.
Last year Virginia had three reported equine EEE cases-one from Suffolk and two from Chesapeake.
In March, the VDACS encouraged horse owners to work with their veterinarians to plan a vaccination schedule that would protect their horses from EEE and West Nile virus (WNV), another mosquito-borne disease. Available vaccines are generally effective in reducing the incidence of both EEE and WNV in horses. For the vaccine to be effective it must be handled and administered properly and be given at least two weeks before the horse is exposed to the virus. Additionally, to stimulate full immunity, horses must be vaccinated twice, about 30 days apart, the first year of vaccination. The vaccines are effective for six to 12 months, so horses should be revaccinated at least annually.
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4. WNV-Positive Florida Horse Also had EEE
By Erica Larson, News Editor
TheHorse.com
June 30, 2016
Florida animal health officials have confirmed that horse that tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) earlier this week has also tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported June 30.
The EDCC said the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services reported one EEE- positive horse with illness onset of June 22 in Osceola County. The horse was euthanized for humane reasons the same day.
"This is the same horse reported earlier this week with WNV infection and it would appear that the horse had a co-infection with both viruses," the EDCC statement said.
This is the eighth equine EEE statewide in 2016 and the second for Osceola County, the EDCC reported.
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5. Are three recent viruses emerging hog disease threats?
Source: Swine Health Information Center
National Hog Farmer
June 30, 2016
Recently, the number of calls and emails about growing pigs showing a wide range of neurologic signs of disease possibly related to three somewhat lesser-known viruses have increased. Veterinarians report growing pigs presenting symptoms that range from mild muscle tremors with mental alertness to lethargy and ataxia, with the most extreme cases progressing to paralysis and death. Reports of morbidity have been as low as 5% to as high as 20%. Case fatality rate has ranged from 30% to 100%.
Among the possible infectious causes are porcine teschovirus, porcine sapelovirus and atypical porcine pestivirus. Although these viruses are not new to the United States, historically confirmed cases have been reported infrequently.
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6. Poultry Disease Specialists to Gather in San Antonio this August
ThePoultrySite.com
June 30, 2016
US - Poultry veterinarians and disease specialists from more than 25 countries will gather in San Antonio, Texas, on 5-9 August for the 59th annual conference of the American Association of Avian Pathologists.
The programme kicks off on Saturday, 6 August, with a timely symposium, "Emerging and Reemerging Zoonotic Diseases," which will focus on zoonotic avian influenza outbreaks, particularly HPAI H5N1 and, most recently, H7N9 outbreaks in humans in China.
Led by featured speaker Robert O'Connor, DVM, Foster Farms, the five-hour session will also focus on data collection and analysis for effective disease prevention and control, as well as communicating science-based information to legislators, media and the general public.
The conference's three-day scientific programme begins on 7 August, and features 232 oral and poster presentations on avian influenza, intestinal health, respiratory disease, immunity management, Marek's disease, bacteria management, virology, diagnostics, food safety, flock welfare and related topics.
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7. APHIS Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule to Allow the Importation of Bone-In Lamb Meat from Uruguay
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin
June 30, 2016
WASHINGTON, June 30, 2016-APHIS is proposing to amend its regulations to allow for the importation of bone-in lamb meat from Uruguay. This proposal is based on evidence from a comprehensive, science-based risk assessment that shows bone-in lamb meat can be imported safely from Uruguay provided certain conditions are met.
Currently, only deboned lamb can be exported from Uruguay into the United States.
Uruguay requested an exemption from the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) deboning mitigation required under the current regulations, in order to export rack of lamb to the United States.
Uruguay's proposed exemption would apply to a select group of lambs. These lambs would be subjected to additional mitigations, including FMD testing with negative results, individual animal identification--as part of a national traceability system, and separation of select lambs from other FMD-susceptible animals following testing.
After a thorough evaluation and a 2014 site visit to verify Uruguay's documented process, APHIS has determined that Uruguay has the authority, ability, and motivation to ensure the measures are followed, and that the proposed plan poses a negligible risk of bringing FMD into the United States.
This proposed rule is available for public inspection today on the Federal Register page at: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection.
[ See: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-07-01/html/2016-15625.htm ]
Interested stakeholders can view the petition and submit comments beginning tomorrow at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2015-0050.
Written comments can also be submitted through the mail: Docket No. APHIS-2015-0102, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. The comment period will be open for 60 days. After APHIS reviews all of the comments we receive, we will notify the public of our final determination.
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