Disease notification and diagnoses This section focuses on procedures developed the FVS surveillance and monitoring program (Figure 2) for notification and diagnoses of animals that are identified as animals. Effectiveness of BSE surveillance is underpinned by a systematic notification chain and internationally accepted diagnostic laboratory methods. Legislation Under passive surveillance programs, notification of suspect BSE cases has been compulsory for farmers and veterinarians since 1990. Details of the notification chain are prescribed under the Veterinary Medicine Law (Articles 56 and 59) and through Orders issued through the FVS such as Order No 234 on Notification of Highly ‘Instruction Dangerous Animal Infectious Diseases’. BSE was first listed as a notifiable disease under EC legislation in 1992 (Directive 1992/450/EC). The legislation went through a series of amendments until the current regulations on the generalised rules for the prevention, control and eradication of TSEs that are prescribed under Regulation (EC) No 999/2001. Articles 12 and 13 of this regulation set out measures to be carried out in response to the identification of BSEsuspect animals. Latvia has been subject to these controls since 2004. Figure 2: Schematic of the TSE Surveillance System Identification and handling of BSE suspects Cattle displaying behavioural or clinical signs during ante-mortem inspection, as described in Article 11.5.21 of the OIE Animal Health Code (the Code)3 are defined as ‘clinical BSEsuspect’ animals. Clinical signs are based on behavioural changes such as excitability, persistent kicking when milked, changes in herd hierarchical status, hesitation at doors, gates and barriers, as well as those displaying progressive neurological signs without evidence of another infectious disease. Brain tissue from these animals is tested for BSE and results are included in the statistical reporting of the BSE surveillance program, as discussed in Section 18 of this report. Measures to be taken in the event that a BSEsuspect animal is identified are listed in Box 1. As determined through discussions at the in-country inspection, FVS officers (at central offices and regional TSUs) as well as slaughterhouse and farm workers were well-informed about these measures.
Disease notification and diagnoses This section focuses on procedures developed the FVS surveillance and monitoring program (Figure 2) for notification and diagnoses of animals that are identified as animals. Effectiveness of BSE surveillance is underpinned by a systematic notification chain and internationally accepted diagnostic laboratory methods. Legislation Under passive surveillance programs, notification of suspect BSE cases has been compulsory for farmers and veterinarians since 1990. Details of the notification chain are prescribed under the Veterinary Medicine Law (Articles 56 and 59) and through Orders issued through the FVS such as Order No 234 ‘Instruction on Notification of Highly Dangerous Animal Infectious Diseases’. BSE was first listed as a notifiable disease under EC legislation in 1992 (Directive 1992/450/EC). The legislation went through a series of amendments until the current regulations on the generalised rules for the prevention, control and eradication of TSEs that are prescribed under Regulation (EC) No 999/2001. Articles 12 and 13 of this regulation set out measures to be carried out in response to the identification of BSEsuspect animals. Latvia has been subject to these controls since 2004. Figure 2: Schematic of the TSE Surveillance System Identification and handling of BSE suspects Cattle displaying behavioural or clinical signs during ante-mortem inspection, as described in Article 11.5.21 of the OIE Animal Health Code (the Code)3 are defined as ‘clinical BSEsuspect’ animals. Clinical signs are based on behavioural changes such as excitability, persistent kicking when milked, changes in herd hierarchical status, hesitation at doors, gates and barriers, as well as those displaying progressive neurological signs without evidence of another infectious disease. Brain tissue from these animals is tested for BSE and results are included in the statistical reporting of the BSE surveillance program, as discussed in Section 18 of this report. Measures to be taken in the event that a BSEsuspect animal is identified are listed in Box 1. As determined through discussions at the in-country inspection, FVS officers (at central offices and regional TSUs) as well as slaughterhouse and farm workers were well-informed about these measures.
Revised%20BSE%20Food%20Safety%20Risk%20Assessment%20Report_Latvia.docx