What should you do if there is a FAD?

What should you do if there is a FAD?

• A. Call the FDA
• B. Call the World Organization for Animal Health
• C. Call the State Animal Health Officer (SAHO) and USDA APHIS Area Vet in Charge (AVIC).
• D. Call the local veterinary clinic

Answer: (C)

Suspicious or confirmed foreign animal diseases require immediate escalation to the proper authorities who can lead the response and containment. In the United States, the fastest and most authoritative action is to contact the State Animal Health Officer and the USDA APHIS Area Veterinarian in Charge. The SAHO oversees state-level reporting, investigations, and coordination with national systems, while the AVIC coordinates federal response actions, including movement controls, quarantine decisions, and lab testing. This official chain ensures rapid investigation and control measures to prevent spread. International notification (to the World Organization for Animal Health) is appropriate in broader contexts, but it isn’t the first step. A local veterinary clinic can help with care, but they don’t trigger the required surveillance and response actions.

Suspicious or confirmed foreign animal diseases require immediate escalation to the proper authorities who can lead the response and containment. In the United States, the fastest and most authoritative action is to contact the State Animal Health Officer and the USDA APHIS Area Veterinarian in Charge. The SAHO oversees state-level reporting, investigations, and coordination with national systems, while the AVIC coordinates federal response actions, including movement controls, quarantine decisions, and lab testing. This official chain ensures rapid investigation and control measures to prevent spread. International notification (to the World Organization for Animal Health) is appropriate in broader contexts, but it isn’t the first step. A local veterinary clinic can help with care, but they don’t trigger the required surveillance and response actions.