78.1—Definitions.
The following terms are defined in this section:
Accredited veterinarian
Administrator
Animals
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Animal identification number
APHIS representative
Approved brucella vaccine
Approved individual herd plan
Approved intermediate handling facility
Area
“B” branded
Boar
Brucellosis
Brucellosis exposed
Brucellosis negative
Brucellosis reactor
Brucellosis ring test
Brucellosis suspect
Certificate
Certified brucellosis-free herd
Class A State or area
Class B State or area
Class C State or area
Class Free State or area
Complete herd test (CHT)
Confirmatory test
Dairy cattle
Designated epidemiologist
Directly
Epidemiologist
Epidemiology
Farm of origin
Feral swine
Finished fed cattle
Herd
Herd blood test
Herd known to be affected
Herd not known to be affected
Herd of origin of swine
Interstate
Market cattle identification test cattle
Market swine test (MST) reactor
Market swine test swine
Monitored-negative feral swine population
Moved
Moved (movement) in interstate commerce
Official adult vaccinate
Official brand inspection certificate
Official brand recording agency
Official calfhood vaccinate
Official eartag
Official seal
Official swine tattoo
Official test
Official vaccinate
Official vaccination eartag
Originate
Parturient
Permit
Permit for entry
Person
Postparturient
Purebred registry association
Qualified herd
Quarantined area
Quarantined feedlot
Quarantined pasture
Recognized slaughtering establishment
“S” branded
“S” brand permit
Sow
Specifically approved stockyard
State
State animal health official
State representative
Successfully closed case
Swine brucellosis
Test-eligible cattle and bison
United States
United States Department of Agriculture backtag
Validated brucellosis-free herd
Validated brucellosis-free State
Veterinarian in Charge
Whole herd vaccination
As used in this part, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth in this section.
Accredited veterinarian. A veterinarian approved by the Administrator in accordance with the provisions of part 161 of this title to perform functions specified in parts 1, 2, 3, and 11 of subchapter A, and subchapters B, C, and D of this chapter, and to perform functions required by cooperative State-Federal disease control and eradication programs.
Administrator. The Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or any person authorized to act for the Administrator.
Animals. Cattle, bison, and swine.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture.
Animal identification number (AIN). A numbering system for the official identification of individual animals in the United States providing a nationally unique identification number for each animal. The AIN contains 15 digits, with the first 3 being the country code (840 for the United States), the alpha characters USA, or the numeric code assigned to the manufacturer of the identification device by the International Committee on Animal Recording. The AIN beginning with the 840 prefix may be used only on animals born in the United States.
APHIS representative. An individual employed by APHIS who is authorized to perform the function involved.
Approved brucella vaccine. A Brucella product approved by and produced under license of the United States Department of Agriculture for injection into cattle or bison to enhance their resistance to brucellosis.
Approved individual herd plan. A herd management and testing plan designed by the herd owner, the owner's veterinarian if so requested, and a State representative or APHIS representative to determine the disease status of animals in the herd and to control and eradicate brucellosis within the herd. The plan must be jointly approved by the State animal health official and the Veterinarian in Charge.
Approved intermediate handling facility. Premises approved by the Administrator and the State animal health official for receiving and handling cattle and bison for release only to recognized slaughtering establishments and quarantined feedlots. Cattle and bison may be held at an approved intermediate handling facility for a maximum of 7 days and may not change ownership during this time. No cattle or bison, except cattle or bison moved directly from a farm of origin, shall be permitted to enter an approved intermediate handling facility unless they are accompanied by a permit or “S” brand permit. Cattle or bison transported in vehicles closed with official seals are prohibited from entering the approved intermediate handling facility. No cattle or bison shall be permitted to leave an approved intermediate handling facility unless they are accompanied by a permit or “S” brand permit which lists a recognized slaughtering establishment or a quarantined feedlot as the point of destination. To qualify for and retain approval, the following conditions must be met: (a) The facility must be separate and apart from other livestock handling facilities for breeding cattle and breeding bison; (b) Serviceable equipment for cleaning and disinfection shall be furnished and maintained with adequate disinfectant on hand; (c) The facility must be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with § 71.4(a) of this chapter; (d)Any document relating to cattle or bison which are or have been in the facility shall be maintained by the facility for a period of 2 years;(e) State representatives and APHIS representatives shall be granted, at reasonable hours, access to all documents required to be maintained by the facility and authority to reproduce the documents; and (f) Each entrance and exit to the facility must prominently display a sign bearing the following words: “All cattle and bison entering this facility must go directly to slaughter or a quarantined feedlot”. The Administrator may withdraw or deny approval of any intermediate handling facility in accordance with § 71.20 of this chapter.
Area. That portion of any State which has a separate brucellosis classification under this part.
“B” branded. Branding with a hot iron the letter “B” high on the left hip near the tailhead and at least 5 by 5 centimeters (2 by 2 inches) in size.
Boar. An uncastrated male swine 6 months of age or over which is or has been capable of being used for breeding purposes.
Brucellosis. The contagious, infectious, and communicable disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. It is also known as Bangs disease, undulant fever, and contagious abortion.
Brucellosis exposed. Except for brucellosis reactors, animals that are part of a herd known to be affected, or are in a quarantined feedlot or a quarantined pasture, or are brucellosis suspects, or that have been in contact with a brucellosis reactor for a period of 24 hours or more, or for a period of less than 24 hours if the brucellosis reactor has aborted, calved, or farrowed within the past 30 days or has a vaginal or uterine discharge.
Brucellosis negative. An animal subjected to one or more official tests resulting in a brucellosis negative classification or reclassified as brucellosis negative by a designated epidemiologist as provided for in the definition of official test.
Brucellosis reactor. An animal subjected to an official test resulting in a brucellosis reactor classification or subjected to a bacteriological examination for field strain Brucella abortus and found positive or reclassified as a brucellosis reactor by a designated epidemiologist as provided for in the definition of official test.
Brucellosis ring test. The brucellosis ring test is conducted on composite milk or cream samples from dairy herds and is interpreted as either negative or suspicious (positive). Herds which are negative to the brucellosis ring test and which are not quarantined as brucellosis affected are classified as brucellosis negative for public health ordinances and surveillance purposes. Herds classified as suspicious require a herd blood test to determine animal and herd status.
Brucellosis suspect. An animal subjected to an official test resulting in a brucellosis suspect classification or reclassified as a brucellosis suspect by a designated epidemiologist as provided for in the definition of official test.
Certificate. An official document issued by an APHIS representative, state representative, or accredited veterinarian at the point of origin of an interstate movement of animals.
(a)
The certificate must show the official eartag number, individual animal register breed association registration tattoo, individual animal registered breed association registration brand, individual animal registered breed association registration number, or similar individual identification of each animal to be moved; the number of animals covered by the certificate; the purpose for which the animals are to be moved; the points of origin and destination; the consignor; and the consignee. Ownership brands may be used in place of individual animal identification on certificates for cattle moved interstate when no official test for brucellosis is required under this part, provided the ownership brands are registered with the official brand recording agency. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this definition, all of the information required by this paragraph must be typed or written on the certificate.
(b)
As an alternative to typing or writing individual animal identification on a certificate, another document may be used to provide this information, but only under the following conditions:
(1)
The document must be a state form or APHIS form that requires individual identification of animals;
(2)
A legible copy of the document must be stapled to the original and each copy of the certificate;
(3)
Each copy of the document must identify each animal to be moved with the certificate, but any information pertaining to other animals, and any unused space on the document for recording animal identification, must be crossed out in ink; and
(4)
The following information must be written in ink in the identification column on the original and each copy of the certificate and must be circled or boxed, also in ink, so that no additional information can be added:
(ii)
Either the serial number on the document or, if the document is not imprinted with a serial number, both the name of the person who prepared the document and the date the document was signed.
(c)
As an alternative to typing or writing ownership brands on a certificate, an official brand inspection certificate may be used to provide this information, but only under the following conditions:
(1)
A legible copy of the official brand inspection certificate must be stapled to the original and each copy of the certificate;
(2)
Each copy of the official brand inspection certificate must show the ownership brand of each animal to be moved with the certificate, but any other ownership brands, and any unused space for recording ownership brands, must be crossed out in ink;
(3)
The following information must be written in ink in the identification column on the original and each copy of the certificate and must be circled or boxed, also in ink, so that no additional information can be added:
(ii)
Either the serial number on the official brand inspection certificate or, if the official brand inspection certificate is not imprinted with a serial number, both the name of the person who prepared the official brand inspection certificate and the date it was signed.
Certified brucellosis-free herd. A herd of cattle or bison which has qualified for and whose owner has been issued a certified brucellosis-free herd certificate signed by the appropriate State animal health official and the Veterinarian in Charge.
(1)
By conducting at least two consecutive negative herd blood tests not less than 10 months nor more than 14 months apart; or
(2)
As an alternative for dairy cattle, by conducting a minimum of four consecutive negative brucellosis ring tests, or other official brucellosis milk test approved by the Administrator, at not less than 90-day intervals, followed by a negative herd blood test within 90 days after the last negative brucellosis ring test or other official brucellosis milk test approved by the Administrator.
(b) Maintaining certification.
Certified brucellosis-free herd status will remain in effect for 1 year beginning with the date of issuance of the certified brucellosis-free herd certificate. The following methods may be used to maintain herd certification:
(1)
A negative herd blood test must be conducted within 10 to 12 months of the last certification date for continuous status. Lapsed certification may be reinstated if a herd blood test is conducted within 14 months of the last certification date. A new recertification test date may be established if requested by the owner and if the herd is negative to a herd blood test on that date, provided that date is within 1 year of the previous certification date.
(2)
As an alternative for dairy cattle, a minimum of four consecutive negative brucellosis ring tests, or other official brucellosis milk test approved by the Administrator, must be conducted at approximately 90-day intervals, with the fourth test conducted within 60 days before the 1-year anniversary of the previous certification date.
(3)
The Administrator may allow another testing protocol to be used if the Administrator determines that such a protocol is adequate to determine there is no evidence of brucellosis in the herd.
(c) Loss of certification.
A herd which loses certified brucellosis-free herd status because a brucellosis reactor is found in the herd may be recertified only by repeating the certification process, except that certified brucellosis-free herd status may be reinstated without repeating the certification process if epidemiological studies and bacteriological cultures conducted by an APHIS representative or State representative show that the herd was not affected with Brucella abortus.
Class A State or area. A State or area which meets standards for classification as a Class A State or area and is certified as such on initial classification or on reclassification by the State animal health official, the Veterinarian in Charge, and the Administrator. Any reclassification will be made in accordance with § 78.40 of this part. The following are the standards to attain and maintain Class A status.
(a) Surveillance—
(1) Brucellosis ring test.
The brucellosis ring test shall be conducted in the State or area at least four times per year at approximately 90-day intervals. All herds producing milk for sale shall be included in at least three of the four brucellosis ring tests per year.
(2) Market Cattle Identification (MCI) program—
(i) Coverage.
All recognized slaughtering establishments in the State or area must participate in the MCI program. Blood samples shall be collected from at least 95 percent of all cows and bulls 2 years of age or over at each recognized slaughtering establishment and subjected to an official test;
(ii) Brucellosis reactors—
(A) Tracebacks.
At least 90 percent of all brucellosis reactors found in the course of MCI testing must be traced to the farm of origin.
(B) Successfully closed cases.
The State or area must successfully close at least 95 percent of the MCI reactor cases traced to the farm of origin during the 12-consecutive-month period immediately prior to the most recent anniversary of the date the State or area was classified Class A. To successfully close an MCI reactor case, State representatives or APHIS representatives must conduct an epidemiologic investigation at the farm of origin within 15 days after notification by the cooperative State-Federal laboratory that brucellosis reactors were found on the MCI test. Herd blood tests must be conducted or the herd must be confined to the premises under quarantine within 30 days after notification that brucellosis reactors were found on the MCI test, unless a designated epidemiologist determines that:
(1) The brucellosis reactor is located in a herd in a different State than the State where the MCI blood sample was collected. In such cases a State representative or APHIS representative must give written notice of the MCI test results to the State animal health official in the State where the brucellosis reactor is located; or
(2) Evidence indicates that the brucellosis reactor is from a herd that no longer presents a risk of spreading brucellosis, or is from a herd that is unlikely to be infected with brucellosis. Such evidence could include, but is not limited to, situations where:
(i) The brucellosis reactor is traced back to a herd that has been sold for slaughter in entirety;
(ii) The brucellosis reactor is traced back to a herd that is certified brucellosis free and is 100-percent vaccinated; or
(iii) The brucellosis reactor showed a low titer in the MCI test and is traced back to a dairy herd that is 100 percent vaccinated and has tested negative to the most recent brucellosis ring test required by this section for herds producing milk for sale.
(3) Epidemiologic surveillance—
(i) Adjacent herds.
All adjacent herds or other herds having contact with cattle in a herd known to be affected shall have an approved individual herd plan in effect within 15 days of notification of brucellosis in the herd known to be affected; (ii) Epidemiologically traced herds. All herds from which cattle are moved into a herd known to be affected and all herds which have received cattle from a herd known to be affected shall have an approved individual herd plan in effect within 15 days of locating the source herd or recipient herd. (iii) Each State shall ensure that such approved individual herd plans are effectively complied with, as determined by the Administrator.
(b) Herd infection rate—
(1) Percentage of herds affected.
States or areas must not exceed a cattle herd infection rate, based on the number of herds found to have brucellosis reactors within the State or area during any 12 consecutive months due to field strain Brucella abortus, of 0.25 percent or 2.5 herds per 1,000, except in States with 10,000 or fewer herds. A special review by the Administrator will be made to determine if such small herd population States would qualify for Class A status. Locations of herds, sources of brucellosis, and brucellosis control measures taken by the State will be considered.
(2) Epidemiologic investigation.
Within 15 days after notification by the cooperative State-Federal laboratory that brucellosis reactors have been found in any herd, State representatives or APHIS representatives shall investigate that herd to identify possible sources of brucellosis. All possible sources of brucellosis identified shall be contacted within an additional 15 days to determine appropriate action.
(3)
All herds known to be affected shall have approved individual herd plans in effect within 15 days after notification by a State representative or APHIS representative of a brucellosis reactor in the herd. Each State shall ensure that such approved individual herd plans are effectively complied with, as determined by the Administrator.
Class B State or area. A State or area which meets standards for classification as a Class B State or area and is certified as such on initial classification or on reclassification by the State animal health official, the Veterinarian in Charge, and the Administrator. Any reclassification will be made in accordance with § 78.40 of this part. The following are the standards to attain and maintain Class B status.
(a) Surveillance—
(1) Brucellosis ring test.
The brucellosis ring test shall be conducted in the State or area at least four times per year at approximately 90-day intervals. All herds producing milk for sale shall be included in at least three of the four brucellosis ring tests per year.
(2) Market Cattle Identification (MCI) program—
(i) Coverage.
All recognized slaughtering establishments in the State or area must participate in the MCI program. Blood samples shall be collected from at least 95 percent of all cows and bulls 2 years of age or over at each recognized slaughtering establishment and subjected to an official test;
(ii) Brucellosis reactors—
(A) Tracebacks.
At least 80 percent of all brucellosis reactors found in the course of MCI testing must be traced to the farm of origin.
(B) Successfully closed cases.
The State or area must successfully close at least 90 percent of the MCI reactor cases traced to the farm of origin during the 12-consecutive-month period immediately prior to the most recent anniversary of the date the State or area was classified Class B. To successfully close an MCI reactor case, State representatives or APHIS representatives must conduct an epidemiologic investigation at the farm of origin within 30 days after notification by the cooperative State-Federal laboratory that brucellosis reactors were found on the MCI test. Herd blood tests must be conducted or the herd must be confined to the premises under quarantine within 30 days after notification that brucellosis reactors were found on the MCI test, unless a designated epidemiologist determines that:
(1) The brucellosis reactor is located in a herd in a different State than the State where the MCI blood sample was collected. In such cases a State representative or APHIS representative must give written notice of the MCI test results to the State animal health official in the State where the brucellosis reactor is located; or
(2) Evidence indicates that the brucellosis reactor is from a herd that no longer presents a risk of spreading brucellosis, or is from a herd that is unlikely to be infected with brucellosis. Such evidence could include, but is not limited to, situations where:
(i) The brucellosis reactor is traced back to a herd that has been sold for slaughter in entirety;
(ii) The brucellosis reactor is traced back to a herd that is certified brucellosis free and is 100-percent vaccinated; or
(iii) The brucellosis reactor showed a low titer in the MCI test and is traced back to a dairy herd that is 100 percent vaccinated and has tested negative to the most recent brucellosis ring test required by this section for herds producing milk for sale.
(3) Epidemiologic surveillance—
(i) Adjacent herds.
All adjacent herds or other herds having contact with cattle in a herd known to be affected shall have an approved individual herd plan in effect within 45 days of notification of brucellosis in the herd known to be affected; (ii) Epidemiologically traced herds. All herds from which cattle are moved into a herd known to be affected and all herds which have received cattle from a herd known to be affected shall have an approved individual herd plan in effect within 45 days of locating the source herd or recipient herd. (iii) Each State shall ensure that such approved individual herd plans are effectively complied with, as determined by the Administrator.
(b) Herd infection rate—
(1) Percentage of herds affected.
States or areas must not exceed a cattle herd infection rate, based on the number of herds found to have brucellosis reactors within the State or area during any 12 consecutive months due to field strain Brucella abortus, of 1.5 percent or 15 herds per 1,000, except in States with 1,000 or fewer herds. A special review by the Administrator will be made to determine if such small herd population States would qualify for Class B status. Locations of herds, sources of brucellosis, and brucellosis control measures taken by the State will be considered.
(2) Epidemiologic investigation.
Within 45 days after notification by the cooperative State-Federal laboratory that brucellosis reactors have been found in any herd, State representatives or APHIS representatives shall investigate that herd to identify possible sources of brucellosis. All possible sources of brucellosis identified shall be contacted within an additional 30 days to determine appropriate action.
(3)
All herds known to be affected shall have approved individual herd plans in effect within 45 days after notification by a State representative or APHIS representative of a brucellosis reactor in the herd. Each State shall ensure that such approved individual herd plans are effectively complied with, as determined by the Administrator.
Class C State or area. A State or area which meets standards for classification as a Class C State or area and is certified as such on initial classification or on reclassification by the State animal health official, the Veterinarian in Charge, and the Administrator. Any reclassification will be made in accordance with § 78.40 of this part. The following are the standards to attain and maintain Class C status.
(a) Surveillance—
(1) Brucellosis ring test.
The brucellosis ring test shall be conducted in the State or area at least four times per year at approximately 90-day intervals. All herds producing milk for sale shall be included in at least three of the four brucellosis ring tests per year.
(2) Market Cattle Identification (MCI) program—
(i) Coverage.
All recognized slaughtering establishments in the State or area must participate in the MCI program. Blood samples shall be collected from at least 95 percent of all cows and bulls 2 years of age or over at each recognized slaughtering establishment and subjected to an official test;
(ii) Brucellosis reactors—
(A) Tracebacks.
At least 80 percent of all brucellosis reactors found in the course of MCI testing must be traced to the farm of origin.
(B) Successfully closed cases.
The State or area must successfully close at least 90 percent of the MCI reactor cases traced to the farm of origin during the 12-consecutive-month period immediately prior to the most recent anniversary of the date the State or area was classified Class C. To successfully close an MCI reactor case, State representatives or APHIS representatives must conduct an epidemiologic investigation at the farm of origin within 30 days after notification by the cooperative State-Federal laboratory that brucellosis reactors were found on the MCI test. Herd blood tests must be conducted or the herd must be confined to the premises under quarantine within 30 days after notification that brucellosis reactors were found on the MCI test, unless a designated epidemiologist determines that:
(1) The brucellosis reactor is located in a herd in a different State than the State where the MCI blood sample was collected. In such cases a State representative or APHIS representative must give written notice of the MCI test results to the State animal health official in the State where the brucellosis reactor is located; or
(2) Evidence indicates that the brucellosis reactor is from a herd that no longer presents a risk of spreading brucellosis, or is from a herd that is unlikely to be infected with brucellosis. Such evidence could include, but is not limited to, situations where:
(i) The brucellosis reactor is traced back to a herd that has been sold for slaughter in entirety;
(ii) The brucellosis reactor is traced back to a herd that is certified brucellosis free and is 100-percent vaccinated; or
(iii) The brucellosis reactor showed a low titer in the MCI test and is traced back to a dairy herd that is 100 percent vaccinated and has tested negative to the most recent brucellosis ring test required by this section for herds producing milk for sale.
(3) Epidemiologic surveillance—
(i) Adjacent herds.
All adjacent herds or other herds having contact with cattle in a herd known to be affected shall have an approved individual herd plan in effect within 45 days of notification of brucellosis in the herd known to be affected; (ii) Epidemiologically traced herds. All herds from which cattle are moved into a herd known to be affected and all herds which have received cattle from a herd known to be affected shall have an approved individual herd plan in effect within 45 days of locating the source herd or recipient herd. (iii) Each State shall ensure that such approved individual herd plans are effectively complied with, as determined by the Administrator.
(b) Herd infection rate—
(1) Percentage of herds affected.
States or areas exceed a cattle herd infection rate, based on the number of herds found to have brucellosis reactors within the State or area during any 12 consecutive months due to field strain Brucella abortus, of 1.5 percent or 15 herds per 1,000, except in States with 1,000 or fewer herds. A special review by the Administrator will be made to determine if such small herd population States should be classified as a Class C State. Locations of herds, sources of brucellosis, and brucellosis control measures taken by the State will be considered.
(2) Epidemiologic investigation.
Within 45 days after notification by the cooperative State-Federal laboratory that brucellosis reactors have been found in any herd, State representatives or APHIS representatives shall investigate that herd to identify possible sources of brucellosis. All possible sources of brucellosis identified shall be contacted within an additional 30 days to determine appropriate action.
(3)
All herds known to be affected shall have approved individual herd plans in effect within 45 days after notification by a State representative or APHIS representative of a brucellosis reactor in the herd. Each State shall ensure that such approved individual herd plans are effectively complied with, as determined by the Administrator.
(c) Compliance with minimum procedural standards.
(1)
A State must implement and maintain minimum procedural standards.
(2)
A State or area must make continued progress over a 2-year period in reducing the prevalence of brucellosis as determined by epidemiologic evaluation or it will be placed under Federal quarantine.
Class Free State or area. A State or area which meets standards for classification as a Class Free State or area and is certified as such on initial classification or on reclassification by the State animal health official, the Veterinarian in Charge, and the Administrator. For initial classification or reclassification, all cattle herds in the State or area must have remained free of Brucella abortus for 12 consecutive months, based on surveillance and epidemiologic investigations as required for Class A States or areas, and the State or area must have a cattle herd infection rate, based on the number of herds found to have brucellosis reactors within the State or area during any 12 consecutive months due to Brucella abortus, of 0.0 percent or 0 herds per 1,000. Any reclassification will be made in accordance with § 78.40 of this part. All cattle herds in the State or area in which brucellosis has been known to exist must be released from any State or Federal brucellosis quarantine prior to classification. In addition, if any herds of other species of domestic livestock have been found to be affected with brucellosis, they must be subjected to an official test and found negative, slaughtered, or quarantined so that no foci of brucellosis in any species of domestic livestock are left uncontrolled. The following are the standards to maintain Class Free status.
(a) Surveillance.
(1) Testing requirements.
All recognized slaughtering establishments in the State or area, upon request by APHIS, must agree to participate in market cattle identification (MCI) testing as part of the national brucellosis surveillance plan.
(ii) States or areas that have not been Class Free for 5 consecutive years or longer or that have B. abortus in wildlife.
The State or area must carry out testing as provided in paragraphs (a)(1)(ii)(A) and (a)(1)(ii)(B) of this definition:
(A)
Brucellosis ring test. The State or area shall conduct as many brucellosis ring tests per year as are necessary to ensure that all herds producing milk for sale are tested at least twice per year at approximately 6-month intervals. Another official brucellosis milk test may be used as approved by the Administrator.
(B)
Market Cattle Identification (MCI) program. All recognized slaughtering establishments in the State or area must participate in the MCI program. Blood samples shall be collected from at least 95 percent of all cows and bulls 2 years of age or over at each recognized slaughtering establishment and subjected to an official test.
(2) Brucellosis reactors.
All Class Free States or areas must comply with the following requirements upon detection of a brucellosis reactor:
(i) Tracebacks.
The State or area must trace at least 90 percent of all brucellosis reactors found in the course of MCI testing to the farm of origin.
(ii) Successfully closed cases.
The State or area must successfully close at least 95 percent of the MCI reactor cases traced to the farm of origin during the 12-consecutive-month period immediately prior to the most recent anniversary of the date the State or area was classified Class Free. To successfully close an MCI reactor case, State representatives or APHIS representatives must conduct an epidemiologic investigation at the farm of origin within 15 days after notification by the cooperative State-Federal laboratory that brucellosis reactors were found on the MCI test. Herd blood tests must be conducted or the herd must be confined to the premises under quarantine within 30 days after notification that brucellosis reactors were found on the MCI test, unless a designated epidemiologist determines that:
(A)
The brucellosis reactor is located in a herd in a different State than the State where the MCI blood sample was collected. In such cases a State representative or APHIS representative must give written notice of the MCI test results to the State animal health official in the State where the brucellosis reactor is located; or
(B)
Evidence indicates that the brucellosis reactor is from a herd that no longer presents a risk of spreading brucellosis, or is from a herd that is unlikely to be infected with brucellosis. Such evidence could include, but is not limited to, situations where:
(1) The brucellosis reactor is traced back to a herd that has been sold for slaughter in entirety;
(2) The brucellosis reactor is traced back to a herd that is certified brucellosis free and is 100-percent vaccinated; or
(3) The brucellosis reactor showed a low titer in the MCI test and is traced back to a dairy herd that is 100 percent vaccinated and has tested negative to the most recent brucellosis ring test required by this section for herds producing milk for sale.
(iii) Epidemiologic surveillance.
(A)
Adjacent herds. All adjacent herds or other herds having contact with cattle in a herd known to be affected shall be placed under quarantine and have an approved individual herd plan in effect within 15 days after notification of brucellosis in the herd known to be affected;
(B)
Epidemiologically traced herds. All herds from which cattle are moved into a herd known to be affected and all herds which have received cattle from a herd known to be affected shall be placed under quarantine and have an approved individual herd plan in effect within 15 days of locating the source herd or recipient herd. Each State shall ensure that such approved individual herd plans are effectively complied with, as determined by the Administrator.
(b) Herd infection rate.
(1) Affected herds.
Except as provided in paragraph (b)(4) of this definition, all cattle herds in the State or area must remain free of Brucella abortus.
(2) Epidemiologic investigation.
Within 15 days after notification by the cooperative State-Federal laboratory that brucellosis reactors have been found in any herd, State representatives or APHIS representatives shall investigate that herd to identify possible sources of brucellosis. All possible sources of brucellosis identified shall be contacted within an additional 15 days to determine appropriate action.
(3) Approved herd plans.
All herds known to be affected shall have approved individual herd plans in effect within 15 days after notification by a State representative or APHIS representative of a brucellosis reactor in the herd. Each State shall ensure that such approved individual herd plans are effectively complied with, as determined by the Administrator.
(4) Affected herd.
If any herd in a Class Free State or area is found to be affected with brucellosis, the State or area may retain its Class Free status if it meets the conditions of this paragraph; provided that the Administrator may reclassify a State or area to a lower status upon finding that continued detection of brucellosis presents a risk that the disease will spread.
(i) The affected herd.
(A)
The affected herd must be quarantined immediately, and, within 60 days, tested for brucellosis and depopulated; or
(B)
The affected herd must be quarantined immediately and tested for brucellosis as required by the Administrator until there is no evidence of brucellosis in the herd; and
(ii) Other herds.
An epidemiological investigation must be performed within 60 days of the detection of an infected animal in a herd. All herds on premises adjacent to the affected herd (adjacent herds), all herds from which animals may have been brought into the affected herd (source herds), and all herds that may have had contact with or accepted animals from the affected herd (contact herds) must be epidemiologically investigated, and each of those herds must be placed under an approved individual herd plan. If the investigating epidemiologist determines that a herd blood test for a particular adjacent herd, source herd, or contact herd is not warranted, the epidemiologist must include that determination, and the reasons supporting it, in the individual herd plan.
(iii) APHIS review.
After the close of the 60-day period following the date an animal in the herd is determined to be infected, APHIS will conduct a review to confirm that the requirements of paragraphs (b)(4)(i) and (b)(4)(ii) of this definition have been satisfied and that the State or area is in compliance with all other applicable provisions.
(c) Brucellosis management plans.
(1)
Any State in which the Administrator has determined wildlife are infected with B. abortus must develop and implement a brucellosis management plan approved by the Administrator. The existence of B. abortus in wildlife will be determined by the Administrator, based on, but not limited to, histopathology, testing data, or epidemiology. The Administrator may also require a Class Free State or area to develop and implement a brucellosis management plan under any other circumstances if the Administrator determines it is necessary to prevent the spread of brucellosis. The State must sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Administrator that describes its brucellosis management plan. The MOU must be updated annually. The Administrator may reclassify to a lower status any State or area that has not implemented an approved brucellosis management plan within 6 months of being required to develop one.
(i)
Define and explain the basis for the geographic area in which a disease risk exists from B. abortus and to which the brucellosis management plan activities apply;
(ii)
Describe epidemiologic assessment and surveillance activities to identify occurrence of B. abortus in domestic livestock and wildlife and potential risks for spread of disease; and
(iii)
Describe mitigation activities to prevent the spread of B. abortus from domestic livestock and/or wildlife, as applicable, within or from the brucellosis management area.
Complete herd test (CHT). An official swine brucellosis test of all swine on a premises that are 6 months of age or older and maintained for breeding purposes.
Confirmatory test. A follow-up test to verify any official test results. Confirmatory tests include the standard tube test, the Rivanol test, the complement fixation test (CF), the fluorescence polarization assay (FP assay), the particle concentration fluorescence immunoassay (PCFIA), the semen plasma test, and the standard plate test.
Dairy cattle. A bovine animal of a recognized dairy breed.
Designated epidemiologist. An epidemiologist selected by the State animal health official and the Veterinarian in Charge to perform the functions required. The regional epidemiologist and the APHIS brucellosis staff must concur in the selection and appointment of the designated epidemiologist.
Directly. Without unloading en route if moved in a means of conveyance, or without stopping if moved in any other manner.
Epidemiologist. A veterinarian who has received a master's degree in epidemiology or completed a course of study in epidemiology sponsored by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
Epidemiology. A branch of medical science that deals with the incidence, distribution, and control of disease in the animal population.
Farm of origin. (a) Premises where cattle or bison are born and remain prior to movement from the premises but which are not used to assemble cattle or bison from any other premises for 4 months before such movement; or
(b)
Premises where cattle or bison remain for not less than 4 months immediately before movement from the premises but which are not used to assemble cattle or bison from any other premises for 4 months before such movement.
Feral swine. Free-roaming swine. Formerly free-roaming swine could qualify for reclassification as domestic swine upon testing negative to an official swine brucellosis test after a period of at least 60 days' confinement in isolation from other feral swine.
Finished fed cattle. Cattle fattened on a ration of feed concentrates to reach a slaughter condition equivalent to that which would be attained on full feed with a high concentrate grain ration for 90 days.
Herd. (a) All animals under common ownership or supervision that are grouped on one or more parts of any single premises (lot, farm, or ranch); or
(b)
All animals under common ownership or supervision on two or more premises which are geographically separated but on which animals from the different premises have been interchanged or had contact with each other.
(c)
For the purposes of this part, the term herd does not include animals that are contained within a federally approved research facility.
Herd blood test. A blood test for brucellosis conducted in a herd on all cattle or bison 6 months of age or over, except steers and spayed heifers.
Herd known to be affected. Any herd in which any animal has been classified as a brucellosis reactor and which has not been released from quarantine.