The NCDA&CS participated in a foreign animal vesicular disease
investigation on March 29-31, 2001, after a state meat inspector
recognized two swine at a small, state inspected slaughter plant
exhibiting lesions highly suggestive of Foot and Mouth disease(FMD).
Federal and state veterinarians confirmed the suspicious lesions and
blood and tissue samples were rushed to the USDA Foreign Animal Disease
Diagnostic Lab on Plum Island, N.Y. Additional samples were forwarded on
March 30th from two swine showing suspicious lesions at a livestock
buying station identified through trace back. All samples from both
premises were confirmed as negative for FMD and quarantines released.
This investigation was handle as a high priority because of the highly
suspicious nature of the clinical signs, as well as epidemiological
trace back information which revealed a slaughter plant, two livestock
buying stations, multiple susceptible species, multiple origins of
potentially exposed animals, and extensive animal, vehicle, and human
traffic through the premises during the exposure period. NCDA&CS
surveillance and prevention efforts for FMD will continue at an elevated
level for the foreseeable future.

Other notes regarding FMD of the past week:

--The USDA announced that effective March 29, 2001 a temporary
prohibition on the importation of all used farm equipment from FMD
infected countries would be enforced.

--State Veterinarian David Marshall and Commissioner of Agriculture Meg
Scott Phipps met with several legislative committees, legislators, as
well as representatives of Governor Easley, briefing them on the FMD
situation and discussing expanded authority and resource commitments to
address the threat.

-- Comm. Phipps met with representatives of the N.C. delegation in
Washington, D.C. on March 29th, briefing them on FMD and soliciting
their help in urging the USDA to expand certain international travel and
commerce restrictions, as well as aggressively address vaccination,
indemnity, and diagnostic capability issues.

-- The NCDA&CS participated in an FMD Emergency Planning Workshop on
March 29th with N.C. Emergency Management. Other agencies heavily
involved included NC State University, DEHNR, DHHS, Wildlife Resources,
NCSU Extension, DMV, the State Highway Patrol, the NC National Guard,
NCSU Veterinary School and others. An action plan was developed for a
multi-agency effort with regards to education, prevention, containment,
and elimination of FMD.

--The Research Stations section of the department developed and began
enforcing biosecurity plans at all research farms.

--NCDA&CS representatives visited military installations at Pope Air
Force Base, Seymour Johnson AFB, Cherry Point, and the port at Morehead
City. FMD precautionary protocol for incoming international personnel,
cargo, and equipment was reviewed and expanded.

Education, surveillance, and emergency planning efforts will continue as
the department continues to classify FMD as a high priority issue. For
more information, please visit the department web site at
www.ncagr.com/vet or e-mail to david.marshall@ncmail.net.