USDA: Surveillance Framework for Zoonotic Diseases

USDA Announces Proposed Framework for Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Emerging Zoonotic Diseases

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is dedicating $300 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to conduct surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging and zoonotic diseases in susceptible animals and build an early warning system to alert public health partners to potential threats so they can take steps sooner to prevent or limit the next global pandemic. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is the lead agency responsible for implementing the early warning system and is inviting public comment on a Strategic Framework that outlines how the Agency will focus its efforts to prevent, detect, investigate and respond to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as other emerging and zoonotic diseases that could pose a threat to both people and animals. “Up to 75 percent of emerging infectious diseases in humans can also impact the health of animals—we’ve seen this link firsthand with COVID-19,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, we have a unique opportunity to improve our understanding of disease susceptibility and transmission and build a comprehensive, data-driven system that promotes collaboration among the many experts working to protect the health of livestock, wildlife, people and pets. These meaningful changes will pay long-term dividends for the entire One Health community, as we all work together to achieve the best outcomes for people, animals and plants in a shared environment.” APHIS’ Strategic Framework (PDF, 386 KB) uses the One Health approach, which embraces the idea that complex problems that affect the health of humans, animals, and the environment are best solved through improved communication, cooperation, and collaboration across disciplines and sectors. APHIS’ immediate focus will be on expanding surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 to a wider range of animal species (including domestic species and wild animals), increasing diagnostic testing capability and capacity and conducting multisectoral investigations of new animal detections and exposures. Establishing an early warning system that will help protect both people and animals from future disease threats will require a multi-year effort. USDA will build upon its existing infrastructure to implement a risk-based, comprehensive, integrated disease monitoring and surveillance system domestically, and enhance collaborations with national, regional, and global partners to build additional capacity for zoonotic disease surveillance and prevention using a One Health approach. This holistic approach will benefit all of animal agriculture and the wildlife community by expanding our ability to collect surveillance data and increase our diagnostic and epidemiologic capacity, which will better enable us to rapidly detect and respond to new disease threats and provide early warning intelligence to our public health partners. The Strategic Framework builds on APHIS’ proven expertise responding to and eradicating foreign animal disease outbreaks, such as the large-scale U.S. outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in 2015. By leveraging that expertise and strengthening partnerships with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others in the One Health community, APHIS can expand the federal government’s readiness and ability to respond to emerging and zoonotic diseases as needed. This investment under the American Rescue Plan will ultimately help prevent and minimize the negative impacts of COVID-19 and other emerging and zoonotic diseases on animal health, the economy, public health and food security. The Strategic Framework provides additional details and is available on the APHIS website. The Agency will also be hosting a series of webinars to give interested stakeholders the opportunity to learn more about the framework and ask questions before submitting written comments. The 45-day public comment period closes on October 8, 2021. Interested stakeholders can submit written comments via Regulations.gov. Comments will be reviewed in accordance with Agency posting guidelines and will be viewable on Regulations.gov. APHIS will review all written comments, incorporate feedback as appropriate and share the final framework, which will serve as our roadmap for implementation.

QUICKTIP

Howdowekeepupwithdemand?

Wearehearingfromnumerousclientsthattheyarereachingcapacitywiththenumberof doctorhourstheyhaveavailable.Doesthissoundlikeyoutoo?Manyhospitalsarenolonger takingnewclients,notbecausetheydonʼtwanttohelp,buttheysimplycanʼt.Ourindustryis experiencingashortageofdoctorsoratleastavailabledoctorhours.

Whyisthishappening?

1. Manydoctorsofthebabyboomergenerationareretiringandexitingtheworkforce rightnow. 2. Theretiringdoctorsdidnʼtthinktwiceaboutworking50-70hoursperweek.During theircareerstheywerelikelythesoleincomeproducersfortheirfamilieswhiletheir spousesstayedhometotakecareofthechildrenandhouseholdneeds.Timeshave changed.Nowwehavedualincomehouseholds.Comparedtotheoldergenerations, theyoungergenerationschoosetospendmorehoursonlivingvsworking.Manyof themopttowork30-40hourweeks,muchlessthanthegenerationbeforethem.Itis notthatonegenerationisright,andanotheriswrong,itissimplythattheyare different. 3. ThepopulationofhouseholdpetshasincreasedduringtheCOVIDsituation dramaticallyincreasingpatientsatourveterinaryhospitals. Now,anewissueisbeginningtosurface.Notonlyarewehearingclientssaytheyareshort doctors,butalsohearthatsomearefacingchallengestofindsupportstaffmembers.

Basiceconomicstellusthatwhendemandexceedssupply,pricesincrease.

Thedemandforhiringdoctorsandstaffishighwhichcorrelatestoemployeesdemanding highercompensation.Weareseeingsomeincrediblecompensationpackagesbeingoffered. ThepointIwanttomakeclearisthatthedemandforveterinaryservicesisalsoveryhigh.This meansfeesforservicesshouldalsobeincreasing.Areyouincreasingyourfees?Ifyourlabor costsaregoingup,youwillneedtoincreaseyourfeesinordertoremainprofitable. Whenwecompletevaluationsforourclients,wecoachthemonhowtheirexpensesarelining upwithindustrybenchmarksandpointoutareasofopportunity.Areaswherethehospitalcan increasetheirprofitabilityandhospitalvalue.Giveusacallifyouʼdlikeustocoachyoutoo!

CurrentListingsinMissouri: MOTIVATEDSELLER:CONSIDERINGALLOFFERS! Springfieldarea,1DVM,SA,Px **Visitourwebsiteforadditionaldetailsonourlistings**

NikkiNitz,CPA,CMA Simmons Midwest*877-322-6465 Simmons@SimmonsMidwest.com www.SimmonsInc.com

MVMA QUARTERLY - FALL 2021 How to Choose a Puppy.

Missouri Veterinary Medical Association & Missouri Department of Agriculture

MVMA member veterinarians care very much about the welfare of dogs in breeding facilities in our state.

We have devoted our lives to the treatment of animals and the prevention of suffering and pain. We oppose unlicensed, unregulated puppy breeders (puppy mills) in Missouri. Though great progress has been made, we continue to encourage high standards to ensure happy, healthy puppies can be provided to individuals and families seeking companionship. Cases of neglect and bad conditions have come mainly from unlicensed breeders who are not overseen by state inspection. You can do your part to help decrease the demand for dogs raised by unlicensed breeders. Here’s how....

How To Choose A Puppy

1. A great way to pick a puppy is to go to a reputable, licensed animal shelter or rescue group. Not only are you going to get a great beloved family pet, but you are also helping to reduce the burden of unwanted pets. This is a win-win situation! Most local shelters keep a list of other area shelters and rescue groups, allowing you to find the right pet for your family even if that shelter doesn’t have what you are looking for. 2. If you decide to purchase a puppy from a responsible and licensed breeder, make sure you do your homework. If you locate a breeder through a website, do not send money without speaking to the breeder, asking to see proof of a Missouri dog breeding license, and checking references first. 3. Don’t be fooled by a well-designed website, as unscrupulous scammers will often create a professional looking, but fraudulent website designed to lure the potential puppy buyer in with cute puppy pictures. 4. If a free puppy sounds too good to be true, it usually is. 5. Once you select a breeder, screen the breeder. Ask to see at least one of the parents (the dam or the sire) of your puppy. See how the dogs in your breeder’s home interact with your breeder. Are they friendly and outgoing, or do they shy away? 6. Ask to see the environment where the puppies are housed. Is it clean? How does it smell? Are the puppies crowded? Do they have access to food and water? Do they have adequate shelter from bad weather? 7. Evaluate the puppies’ health. Do they appear happy and active? Do they have discharge coming from their eyes or nose? Do they have diarrhea? Can the breeder provide you with a medical record that indicates an exam was performed by a veterinarian and the dates and names of de-worming medications and vaccinations administered?

8. The responsible breeder will be screening you, too, looking for the best home for each puppy. 9. If you prefer a puppy from a reputable pet store, don’t buy on impulse. Call the local pet store to learn of the origin of the puppies prior to ever visiting the store. Ask for specifics such as the location and phone number of the kennel(s) or broker(s) used. Is the kennel(s) licensed and inspected? Follow the same guidelines for evaluating the environment/health of the puppy at the pet store. If the store representative cannot answer your questions to your satisfaction, you may want to look elsewhere for your new puppy. 10. Take your new puppy to a veterinarian as soon as possible to determine if it is healthy or not.

RepoRt them! Don’t SuppoRt them!

If you suspect an irresponsible breeder, report these individuals to the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Operation Bark Alert at (https://agriculture.mo.gov/animals/ACFA/barkalert/). Call the MDA at 573-751-3076 for information on licensed breeders in your area. For more information on caring for your pet, log on to: www.movma.org.

MVMA QUARTERLY - FALL 2021

Sponsor a Deserving Individual Practice Staff Member or Entire Staff In a Special Way.

The Practice Staff Honor Roll expresses your gratitude to a practice staff member or your entire staff.

You can now honor a practice staff member or entire staff for their admirable life’s work. It’s easy! Simply contribute the minimum donation to honor the practice staff member(s) you choose. Go to www.mopetmemorial.com for more information on the nomination process or call 573-636-8737. The Honoree’s picture and name will be placed on the Practice Staff Honor Roll web page within the Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation’s website and in the Foundation’s Museum in Jefferson City.. They will also receive a recognition plaque or certificate at their induction ceremony at your clinic Sponsoring an outstanding practice staff member for the Practice Staff Honor Roll is a special way to support the Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation and its programs and at the same time show your appreciation for a special practice staff member(s). Your donation is 100% tax deductible.

PRACTICE STAFF HonoR Roll of Missouri

Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation 2500 Country Club Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109 573-636-8737 • mvma@movma.org • www.movma.org