A.   If a highly contagious animal disease (CAD) is confirmed by the United States Department of Agriculture/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service/Veterinary Services (USDA/APHIS/VS) in the United States, but not in Nebraska, the following events should take place.

Note:   Even though these action items are numbered, many would be initiated simultaneously.

1. The affected state will take immediate action to quarantine the herd/flock and restrict livestock and possibly human movement.
2. The Secretary of Agriculture and/or the President, should declare a state of emergency which should activate response programs.
3. The Regional Emergency Animal Disease Eradication Organization (READEO), consisting of a team of federal personnel specially trained in CADs, should be sent immediately to the location to deal with the outbreak.
4. All Federal Area Veterinarians-in-Charge (AVIC) should be notified of the disease situation.
5. The Nebraska AVIC should notify the Nebraska State Veterinarian, who would in turn notify the Governor and the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) through the Director of Agriculture.
6. The Governor will determine if a State of Emergency Proclamation should be issued.
7. Establishing a command center at NEMA headquarters will be considered depending on the specifics of the outbreak.
8. The State Veterinarian would consider issuing an emergency order to restrict livestock/poultry movement into the state from the affected state(s) except for special permits.
9. The Nebraska Livestock Emergency Diseases Response System (LEDRS) team would be placed on alert.

B.   If CAD is confirmed in Nebraska, the following events should take place.

1. When a suspicious disease situation is reported to animal health officials, a state or federal regulatory veterinarian would be assigned to the location to conduct an inspection, collect information and obtain samples. If it is determined that the situation could be CAD, samples will be flown by courier to the Foreign Animal Disease Laboratory at Plum Island, New York.
2. 2. A diagnosis should be made within 24 hours, and if confirmed to be positive, the Nebraska AVIC should be notified and should immediately notify the Nebraska State Veterinarian.
3. The State Veterinarian will notify the Governor and NEMA through the Director of Agriculture.
4. The Nebraska Livestock Emergency Diseases Response System (LEDRS) team would be activated.
5. The Governor will determine if a State of Emergency Proclamation should be issued.
6. A command center will be established at NEMA headquarters.
7. The regulatory veterinarian assigned to the case will quarantine the herd/flock, and will remain on the premises until a determination of disposal can be made.
8. The State Veterinarian will issue an order to restrict movement of livestock/poultry and possibly humans in and out of the area. The restricted area would consist of a radius circle surrounded by a buffer zone.
9. The Secretary of Agriculture and/or the President, should declare a state of emergency which would activate response programs.
10. The Regional Emergency Animal Disease Eradication Organization (READEO), consisting of a team of federal personnel specially trained in CADs, should be sent immediately to the location to deal with the outbreak.
11. Federal Area Veterinarians-in-Charge (AVIC) should be notified of the disease situation.
12. The affected herd/flock would need to be destroyed/controlled to stop the spread of the disease. USDA/APHIS has indicated indemnity funds will be available immediately when the Secretary of Agriculture or the President issues an emergency declaration. The NDA is consulting with USDA/APHIS to clarify this procedure.
13. The exchange of authority should transfer from the NDA to USDA/APHIS upon the arrival of the READEO team. The procedure for this transition is being developed in a Memorandum of Understanding between NDA and USDA and will define the involvement of LEDRS.

Definitions For NDA Abbreviated Response Summary Regarding Highly Contagious Animal Disease

1. Highly Contagious Animal Disease (CAD) - A dangerous disease transmissible to and among livestock, which has the potential for rapid spread, serious economic impact, or serious threat to livestock health, and is of major importance in the trade of livestock and livestock products.
2. United States Department of Agriculture/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service/Veterinary Services (USDA/APHIS/VS) - Veterinary Services is responsible for ensuring the health and care of animals. It is generally viewed as the counterpart to livestock disease agencies at the state level. In Nebraska, this would be the Bureau of Animal Industry (State Veterinarian's Office) within the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
3. Area Veterinarian-in-Charge (AVIC) - This person is the lead Federal Veterinarian for USDA/APHIS/VS in a specified area. Nationwide, there are 42 areas that encompass one or more states. They administer the federal veterinary programs within their assigned areas in conjunction with the State Veterinarian's Office. Cooperative agreements are in place to define roles and responsibilities. Nebraska's AVIC is Dr. Kathleen Akin, located in Lincoln.
4. Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) - A division within the Nebraska Department of Agriculture which is administered by the State Veterinarian. This division is charged with protecting the health of livestock in Nebraska.
5. Regional Emergency Animal Disease Eradication Organization (READEO) - This is a USDA/APHIS/VS organization that has trained animal health emergency managers and can be mobilized to support and fight an outbreak.
6. Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) - This agency is responsible for the development and maintenance of the Nebraska State Emergency Operations Plan (SEOP) and for coordinating emergency and disaster operations under the direction of the Governor.
7. Nebraska Livestock Emergency Disease Response System (LEDRS) - This system is being developed and will be an integral part of the response plan for Nebraska. Conceptually, it will consist of all levels of government plus private entities to assist in responding to a highly contagious disease. It will be Nebraska's state version of the Federal READEO and will be responsible to be the first response to an outbreak.

Confirmed in the U.S.

Confirmed in Nebraska