If an accredited veterinarian suspects a foreign animal disease (FAD), the veterinarian shall immediately notify the State Animal Health Official (SAHO) and the APHIS Area Veterinarian-in-Charge (AVIC). The veterinarian should not leave the production site until after consulting the SAHO and AVIC and implementing biosecurity measures as instructed to prevent transmitting a potential FAD. The veterinarian should not collect diagnostic specimens.

Once the SAHO and AVIC have been consulted, a Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician (FADD) may be assigned to the case. The FADD will collect samples for submission to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) when necessary. Throughout the FADD’s investigation, the accredited veterinarian will be provided timely information regarding procedures and results. Specially trained federal personnel will coordinate and share responsibility for the remainder of the case, as outlined in Veterinary Services Memorandum No. 580.4, which can be found here: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/lab_info_
services/downloads/VS_Memo580_4.pdf

A listing of SAHOs is available at:
http://www.usaha.org/stateanimalhealthofficials.aspx

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