Equine Infectious Anemia

Equine Viral Arteritis

National Animal Health Reporting System Provides Data for Confirmed Diseases

Feedlot Monitoring Data Show VS What is Happening in Animal Health

Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza

West Nile Virus

Chronic Wasting Disease

Modernization of Ames

National Animal Identification System

Bovine Tuberculosis

BSE Surveillance

Foreign Animal Disease Investigations

Trichinea Certification Program

Pseudorabies

Assessing Brucellosis in the Tristate Area: Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho

Bluetongue Survey

Confiscation of Belgian Sheep in Vermont

Scrapie Eradication Program

Johnes Program

National Veterinary Services Laboratories Domestic Detection and Surveillance Testing

Johne’s Program

Johne’s is an infectious bacterial disease primarily affecting the intestinal tract in cattle, sheep, goats, and llamas. It has also been reported in wild ruminants. Signs of the disease include chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and soft swelling under the jaw.

The cattle industries consider Johne’s disease a growing concern. The disease has the potential of having a major economic influence on cattle producers and could significantly impact international cattle markets. VS estimates that some 22 percent of all dairy herds and eight percent of all beef herds in the United States are affected with the disease.

At the end of FY 2002, approximately 2,675 herds were enrolled in Johne’s disease control programs with herd management plans and/or risk assessments filed with States. Approximately 631 herds were enrolled in State status programs. These are test-negative programs that show herds at low risk for the disease. Of the herds in these certification programs, some 160 had advanced to higher levels of assurance for test-negative status.

In April 2002, VS published the Uniform Program Standards for the Voluntary Bovine Johne’s Disease Control Program. One component of the voluntary program is an advisory committee in each State to assist the State veterinarian in establishing and operating a Johne’s program. By the end of FY 2002, 40 states had established advisory committees for Johne’s disease with Federal representation on each committee.

National standards developed by VS incorporate education for producers and veterinarians, as well as standards for developing herd management plans and testing programs based on the USAHA's guidelines. Funds were provided for education efforts in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Oregon through Johne’s demonstration herd projects. Additionally, VS provided funds to support producer testing to all States and Johne’s disease research at 10 State universities.

VS personnel have been involved with the education activities by participating in producer and veterinary education programs, conducting Johne’s risk assessments, and working with producers and the herd veterinarian to develop Johne’s herd management plans.

In FY 2003, VS expects to provide additional testing assistance to producers to encourage participation in the certification programs and additional support for State Johne’s demonstration herd projects and field studies.