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Getting ahead of H3N2 in 2013

April 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Last summer there were 138 human cases of H3N2.  Dr. Bret Marsh, Indiana State Veterinarian says most of those cases were associated with people being around livestock exhibits. 

Because of the correlation between the two – Indiana has put together recommendations for the 2013 livestock exhibition season.  “The first thing you should do is monitor the animal once they’re on the fairgrounds; the second recommendation is to consider vaccination; the third thing is to shorten the length of stay on the fairgrounds (no more than 72 hours); and the final recommendation is identification (we’ve suggested the 840 electronic identification),” he says. 

The Indiana recommendations laid the framework for a set of practical guidelines to be used nationwide. 

Those recommendations can be found on the US Animal Health Association’s website.

AUDIO: Dr. Bret Marsh, Indiana State Veterinarian (4:30mp3)

Filed Under: 2013 Events, 2013 NIAA Conference, Featured Tagged With: , , ,

Reminders before making meat donations

December 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

During the holiday season it is common practice for individuals to make donations to charities.  Often times livestock producers take part in these acts of kindness by donating processed meat and meat products to local food banks. 

While those donations are greatly appreciated – Indiana’s Board of Animal Health’s Deputy Director of Meat and Poultry Inspection Program Dr. David Bough says there are some things to remember.  “Donated meat and poultry products are required to be processed under state and federal inspection,” he says.  “Therefore those legends [marks of inspection] need to be on the packages.”

Bough tells Brownfield Federal Inspection labels are uniform.  “Now in terms of a state legend [or a state mark of inspection], typically those are in the shape of the state,” he says.  “For instance in Indiana the package will be marked ‘Indiana inspected and passed’ with an establishment number.  The establishment number is there so it can be traced back to its origin.”

Bough adds if a product package says “not for sale” that means it is a custom product and is not eligible for donation.

He says inspection is in place to protect the public by assuring livestock and poultry products entering commerce are safe.

Filed Under: Events/Organizations, Human Interest, News Tagged With: , , ,

BOAH releases Raw Milk Study

November 30, 2012 By 1 Comment

During the 2012 Indiana State Legislature, the Board of Animal Health was tasked with putting together a study on the sale of raw (or unpasteurized) milk in the state.  Indiana State Veterinarian, Dr. Bret Marsh says the process has been lengthy and educational.

Marsh says BOAH believes the process of pasteurization has been highly effective in reducing pathogens that could be found in raw milk.  However – because of the increased interest in raw milk, BOAH has two recommendations for the General Assembly as they consider the issue.

Option A says: “If we maintain the current requirement for milk to be pasteurized, that ALL milk that is sold for consumption by consumers meet the same standards for sanitation and pasteurization,” he says.  “That includes milk from cow or herd shares or some of the products that are labeled for pet food only.”

If the legislature chooses to change the law and allow some limited distribution of raw milk (particularly sales from producers directly to consumers), Marsh notes that Option B recommends that BOAH be given the opportunity to establish the minimum sanitary stands needed to accomplish that task.

The 150 page study is now in the Governor’s office and will be available for review by legislators.

AUDIO: Dr. Bret Marsh, Indiana State Vet (2:49mp3)

Filed Under: Dairy, Human Interest, News Tagged With: , , ,

Indiana Board of Animal Health announces staff changes

October 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Indiana State Veterinarian Bret Marsh has announced staff changes at the Indiana State Board of Animal Health.

Doug Metcalf, BOAH Chief of Staff, has been serving as interim Dairy Director since September.  He will now assume that position full-time.  Gary Haynes has been named BOAH Chief of Staff.  Prior to his appointment he served as the Director of Legal Affairs and Enforcement at BOAH.  Sarah Simpson has been named the Director of Legal Affairs and Enforcement.  Simpson has been with the Indiana State Department of Agriculture serving as Director of Agriculture Policy.

Marsh says these positions are essential to the Board of Animal Health.  He adds, “I’m pleased we’ve identified three talented and experienced leaders who can bring a fresh viewpoint and ideas to each of these areas that will benefit the agency, the board, and the state.”

The internal position shifts went into effect yesterday.  Simpson joins BOAH on October 29, 2012.

Filed Under: Events/Organizations, Human Interest, News Tagged With: , ,

Indiana suspends deer importation from PA

October 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

A week after the first case of chronic wasting disease was identified in Pennsylvania; the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) has suspended the importation of farmed deer, elk, and moose from the state.  BOAH veterinarians are in the process of identifying and locating deer imported into Indiana from the Adams County, PA facility where the CWD-positive 3 year-old farm-raised deer was housed.  Deer that are imported into the state are required to be tested for the disease.

Indiana created a monitoring program to detect the presence of CWD in 2002.  Since its inception more than 12,200 deer have been tested and none have tested positive for CWD.

Pennsylvania is the 23rd state to have a confirmed cased of CWD and the 13th state to have it only in a captive deer herd.

Filed Under: Human Interest, News Tagged With: , , ,

Comment period on raw milk sales in Indiana closes this week

August 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This is the last week Indiana residents can submit their comments on the sale of raw milk in the state.  The Indiana State Board of Animal Health launched the “virtual public hearing” June 1 to receive input from the public online without geographic and time limitations of traditional public hearings.

The hearing closes September 1, 2012 making this the last chance the public has to submit its comments for or against the sales of raw milk, as well as provide any suggestions for potential changes to current Indiana law.  Those who submit comments must provide a name and contact information. 

Comments can be submitted via www.boah.in.gov.

Filed Under: Dairy, News Tagged With: , , , ,

Quarantine lifted at Lake County horse facility

June 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Indiana State Board of Animal Health has lifted the quarantine on a Lake County, Indiana horse boarding facility.  Last month BOAH placed a restriction on the facility after a horse was confirmed positive with equine herpesvirus-1 (EVH-1).  Forty-five horses stabled at the facility have been tested and closely monitored and determined to be free of the disease.

If traveling to exhibitions out-of-state, horse owners are urged to contact the state of destination to determine if additional requirements must be met due to the case identified in Indiana.

Filed Under: Human Interest, News Tagged With: , ,

BOAH to host “Virtual Public Hearing” on IN raw milk sales

May 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) was tasked earlier this year by the Indiana General Assembly to conduct a summer study on the sale of raw milk in the state.  BOAH dairy division director Terry Philibeck says they wanted to find a way for every Hoosier to participate.  Because attending public hearings can be a challenge they decided to host a “virtual” public hearing to gather input.  BOAH will launch the Virtual Public Hearing on its website June 1, 2012 and it will remain open until September 1, 2012. 

Residents of Indiana are encouraged to visit the website and comment on the sale of raw milk as well as make suggestions for potential change to Indiana law.  To submit comment – contact information must be provided, in case follow-up is needed.  The feedback will be collected and a report will be released December 1, 2012. 

The report will serve as a reference document for members of the 2013 legislature. 

To comment – click HERE.  Those without internet capabilities are welcome to submit comments by U.S. Mail to BOAH at Discovery Hall, Suite 100; 1202 E. 38th Street; Indianapolis, IN 46205-2898; Attn: Raw Milk Comments.

Filed Under: Dairy, Events/Organizations, Human Interest, News Tagged With: , , , ,

Hoosiers in the news

September 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has reappointed three members to the State Board of Animal Health (BOAH).

Those reappointed to terms that expire March 31, 2015 include Dr. Kay Boyd of Kentland, Clark Sennett of Waynetown, representing the cattle industry on the board and Dr. Lawrence Stauffer of Delphi.

A new member to the board appointed by the Governor is David White of Batesville. White’s term expires March 31, 2014.

Filed Under: Events/Organizations, Livestock, News Tagged With: , ,

Bovine TB meeting scheduled

April 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

To provide cattle producers, deer hunters and others an opportunity to learn more about the ongoing investigation into bovine TB in southeastern Indiana, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) and Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will hold a meeting on Monday, April 11 at the American Legion Post in St. Leon, Indiana beginning at 7 p.m.

The meeting will include BOAH providing an update on the investigation and disease management strategies, as well as the IDNR’s plan for testing wildlife in the area.

Bovine tuberculosis was identified in a beef cattle herd in southeastern Indiana in February, the first TB positive herd since 1979

Filed Under: Livestock, News, USDA/Government Tagged With: , , , ,