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 ANIMAL
TRANSPORTATION
ASSOCIATION
29th International
Conference
April 6 - 9, 2003 -
Wyndham City Center Hotel - Washington,
D.C.
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Session 4 |
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Monday, April 7, 2003 – |
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HOW A DISEASE OUTBREAK CAN AFFECT
TRANSPORTATION OF ANIMALS |
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Contact Information
Presentation |
An
Update on the West Nile Virus Outbreak
in the USA
Dr. Timothy R. Cordes,
Senior Staff Veterinarian, USDA/APHIS, Emergency Programs
talked about the
West Nile Virus outbreak in the United States. He told how the
disease was first discovered in New York City and how it has spread
so that most states have become involved as well as some cases in
Canada.
Because the
disease is transmitted from infected birds by mosquitoes to horses,
humans and many other species, the possibility of eradication is
very low. |
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He explained how
a vaccine was produced to give protection to the horse population
and was provisionally licensed. The vaccine was shown to be safe
but it was not known how effective it would be in preventing
development of disease. Experience with the use of the vaccine has
shown between 95-98% effectiveness and the horse population of the
U.S. is now better protected for the coming year.
What can we
expect in the Future?
> Areas
that have had WNV in horses, will have it again (although in
different horses / less numbers).
> Additional areas/states will have WNV cases in horses (i.e.,
the West Coast).
> Detecting equine cases of WNV will help define areas of WNV
activity.
> Equine illness may be an early indicator in western areas
with numerous and efficient bridge vectors
(Culex tarsalis?).
> An increased number of horses will receive WNV vaccine
> Expansion of facilities for WNV testing will influence the
number of horses (and other veterinary species) tested.
> Expansion of facilities for WNV testing will impact data
collection
> Additional species will be identified as susceptible to rare
clinical illness from WNV infection. |
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Disease
Outbreaks Can Affect Your Insurance Rates
Nial McKibbin,
Bloodstock Underwriter, Catlin Underwriting Agencies, Ltd. pointed
out that
disease outbreaks can affect your insurance rates for animals.
West Nile Virus, one of the newest problems, is insect
transmitted and no one knows, yet, the effectiveness of prevention
so insurance is not being written for this disease. Mare
Reproductive Loss Syndrome (MRLS) is being seen but the cost of
insurance for the disease is probably too high to be practical. In
Foot and Mouth Disease, only 10% of the farmers losses in Great
Britain were covered by insurance. Lloyds of London paid out about
725,000,000 pounds for the outbreak. Insurance can be purchased
against losses from the disease. African Horse Sickness is another
catastrophic disease with high mortality. |
Contact Info
Presentation |
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People moving horses in international trade can purchase loss
protection. He explained that insurance can be purchased to protect
any losses during transit and later quarantine for many conditions
but depending on the shipper, the country of destination, and the
diseases specified, costs can vary widely. The insurer looks at the
record of the shipper to help determine rates. |
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