Veterinarian's Letter To The Editor
Oct 30, 2014 06:23:16 #
The present Ebola crisis in the world is frightening. I have submitted the following letter to the editor of the 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 U.S. 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 cant 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 cant legally cross the Snake River and ride my horse in Idaho without a health certificate and a negative blood test for Equine Infectious Anemia.
Im 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
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 U.S. 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 cant 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 cant legally cross the Snake River and ride my horse in Idaho without a health certificate and a negative blood test for Equine Infectious Anemia.
Im 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
Oct 30, 2014 06:28:05 #
juicesqueezer wrote:
The present Ebola crisis in the world is frighteni... (show quote)
I'm glad I'm not in a family of horses. Horses are abused, worked to death, shot if they break a leg.
Oct 30, 2014 06:42:11 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I'm glad I'm not in a family of horses. Horses are abused, worked to death, shot if they break a leg.
That's very true Jerry, but try and import one into the country! Just saying..............
Sometimes you have to take a step back and wonder just what those in charge of this country are thinking!
Oct 30, 2014 07:02:40 #
juicesqueezer wrote:
That's very true Jerry, but try and import one into the country! Just saying..............
Sometimes you have to take a step back and wonder just what those in charge of this country are thinking!
Sometimes you have to take a step back and wonder just what those in charge of this country are thinking!
Can you imagine applying those rules to people? it would put a halt to commerce and travel.
Oct 30, 2014 08:44:19 #
Horses don't have constitutional rights. You should be much more worried about dying from the flu ... or getting hit by a bus.
Oct 30, 2014 08:46:06 #
mwalsh wrote:
Horses don't have constitutional rights. You should be much more worried about dying from the flu ... or getting hit by a bus.
Great! Now I have two more things to worry about! :D
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