Domestic Animal Diseases

Animal diseases already present in the U.S. can cause severe disease outbreaks, but generally the highly-infectious diseases capable of causing catastrophic losses have been eradicated. Most of the diseases currently present in the U.S. do not have epidemic potential; they are more likely to cause limited outbreaks or chronic economic loss because they are either sporadic, not highly infectious, or subclinical infections that affect animal productivity.

Control of domestically occurring infectious animal diseases depends on good biosecurity. Some diseases such as brucellosis and tuberculosis are controlled by testing and eradication programs and by controlled interstate movement of animals. Other infectious diseases such as bovine virus diarrhea (BVD) and Johne’s Disease (not the subject of government eradication programs) are controlled by good biosecurity measures on the farm. These may include pre-purchase testing of animals, preventive vaccination programs, and control of access to the farm by people, livestock, and vehicles.