AH & Public Health

Animal Health exists to control and eradicate notifiable disease. They also have a role in reportable diseases salmonella and psittacosis where if a diagnosis is confirmed in a lab, it is reported to vet authorities. 

Also has a role in legislation e.g. animal products for human consumption & animal by-products.

They sample for residues such as veterinary medicines, and heavy metals. They control food safety incidents such as accidental spillages & fires. 

For example; Control of Anthrax

• Import controls on hides, bonemeal and skins. They have to be from a listed country, an approved/registered establishment, possess a health certificate, pass the border inspection post, and be from a registered/approved EU destination. Finished drums made of hides are not subject to vet checks. 
• Positive/inconclusive anthrax suspect= incinerate in situ. Self imposed restrictions and sudden death or ruminant.

Salmonella Control

• Sample at a day old, chick box liners, carcasses, before moving and at point of lay.
• Control of Salmonella Orders 2009.
• Poultry Seizure of Hatching Eggs Order 1990.
• Animal By Products & Zoonosis Regulations 2010. 
• Sampling of a breeding flock  over 250 birds 2 times a year.
• Sampling of a laying flock over 250 birds annually. 
• Sampling of 10% of broiler flocks over 5000 per year. 
• If a positive result of S.Enteritidis or S. Typhimurium there will be slaughter with/without compensation, with no compensation for eggs. Eggs or meat can be heat treated e.g. chicken soup, decisions taken in liaison with the FSA and consultant in Public Health Medicine. Give advice and official sampling for the next flock. Positive result may be followed by a veterinary inspection officer visit, and results in depopulation of the flock. 
• Salmonella in feed subject to the animal by products regulations and feedmills must test regularly for salmonella and E.coli

Avian Influenza Control

• Presents with clinical signs of watery eyes, sinuses and swelling of the head. May be accompanied with shank cyanosis and tracheal haemorrhage. 
• Annual Survey for the list of premises with poultry, ducks and geese,  blood sample max 60 birds from each epidemiological group.
• Owner reports suspect AI. Movements restricted on the farm & veterinary officer immediately sent to carry out veterinary enquiry.
• Need sample from blood, cloaca and fresh carcasses to confirm diagnosis. Records for medicine use, mortality and movements important.
• Confirmed diagnosis results in slaughter and disposal by rendering, and tracings to check the source of the disease and to confirm the disease has not spread. 3km and 10km zones. Patrol visits, vet visits, movement controls and blood sampling.