grannyhawkins
10-29-2014, 09:06 PM
Lewiston Idaho Veterinarian's Letter to the Editor re: Ebola,
The present Ebola crisis in the world is frightening. I have submitted the
following letter to the editor of the Lewiston Morning Tribune:
Editor, Lewiston Morning Tribune:
If I wish to import a horse into the United States from Liberia or any
African country other than Morocco , the horse needs to undergo a 60 day
quarantine period at a USDA approved quarantine facility prior to mingling
with the general population of horses in this country. Africa has a
disease called African Horse Sickness that does not exist in the US ; this
is the way we have kept it out of this country. African Horse Sickness
does not cause disease in people, only horses; our government has
determined that it would be devastating to the US horse industry if it
were to come here.
The United States (and virtually all other countries) require a myriad of
tests and often quarantine prior to bringing in a foreign animal.
I can’t legally cross state lines in the United States with a horse or cow
without a health certificate signed by a USDA accredited veterinarian
stating that the animal has been inspected and found free of infectious
disease. In most cases blood tests are also required. In fact I can’t
legally cross the Snake River and ride my horse in Idaho without a health
certificate and a negative blood test for Equine Infectious Anemia.
I’m not complaining; the United States of America , the States of Idaho
and Washington as well as the other 48 states take the health of our
livestock very seriously, and we have a very good record at keeping
foreign animal diseases out of our country. I am happy to do my part to
maintain biosecurity in our animal population.
If I am a resident of Liberia incubating Ebola, to enter the United States
all I need to do is present a valid visa, and lie when asked if I have
been exposed to Ebola. Within hours (no quarantine required) I can be
walking the streets of any city in the United States .
I feel very fortunate to live in a country that values our animals so
highly.
David A. Rustebakke, DVM
The present Ebola crisis in the world is frightening. I have submitted the
following letter to the editor of the Lewiston Morning Tribune:
Editor, Lewiston Morning Tribune:
If I wish to import a horse into the United States from Liberia or any
African country other than Morocco , the horse needs to undergo a 60 day
quarantine period at a USDA approved quarantine facility prior to mingling
with the general population of horses in this country. Africa has a
disease called African Horse Sickness that does not exist in the US ; this
is the way we have kept it out of this country. African Horse Sickness
does not cause disease in people, only horses; our government has
determined that it would be devastating to the US horse industry if it
were to come here.
The United States (and virtually all other countries) require a myriad of
tests and often quarantine prior to bringing in a foreign animal.
I can’t legally cross state lines in the United States with a horse or cow
without a health certificate signed by a USDA accredited veterinarian
stating that the animal has been inspected and found free of infectious
disease. In most cases blood tests are also required. In fact I can’t
legally cross the Snake River and ride my horse in Idaho without a health
certificate and a negative blood test for Equine Infectious Anemia.
I’m not complaining; the United States of America , the States of Idaho
and Washington as well as the other 48 states take the health of our
livestock very seriously, and we have a very good record at keeping
foreign animal diseases out of our country. I am happy to do my part to
maintain biosecurity in our animal population.
If I am a resident of Liberia incubating Ebola, to enter the United States
all I need to do is present a valid visa, and lie when asked if I have
been exposed to Ebola. Within hours (no quarantine required) I can be
walking the streets of any city in the United States .
I feel very fortunate to live in a country that values our animals so
highly.
David A. Rustebakke, DVM