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

• Assist Biosecurity Manager(s) on large goat operations to write operation-specific biosecurity plans.
• Assist producers on small goat operations to adjust the small opeoration biosecurity plan for their operation.
• Train producers to recognize abnormal production parameters or clinical signs suggestive of FMD.

Veterinarians can help during an FMD outbreak by:

• Inspecting goats for evidence of FMD virus infection.
• Collecting or overseeing the collection of diagnostic samples.
• Overseeing 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, and milk is safe to drink.

Disease Information

Many resources are available on the Regulatory Officials Disease Information page.

Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (sometimes called health certificates) are used regularly by producers and Veterinarians all over the US in the transport of livestock. Many veterinarians are already familiar with CVIs. For more information about current regulations for interstate movement, check out USDA APHIS Animal Movement page

During an FMD outbreak, movement permits will be requested by premises owners and will be issued by responsible regulatory official (RRO) managing the incident for goats and goat products (meat, milk, fiber, semen, embryos) moving into, within, and from a Control Area. In addition to any incident-specific requirements, all interstate movement must meet normal movement/state entry requirements in addition to these outbreak-specific conditions. Veterinarians who may be asked questions about permitting procedures or who are working with producers to assure permitting is completed appropriately can find more information on permitting procedures in the overview document on the SGMMS plan.

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. Decisions regarding which of these mechanisms will be used in an FMD outbreak once livestock movement is restarted will be made by RROs according to the requirements of the situation.

When CVIs are used during an FMD outbreak, accredited veterinarians writing the CVIs should be extra vigilant that all interstate movement criteria are met. The criteria are described in the Regulatory Officials Section of the SGMMS Plan.

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.