The DxMONITOR is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Veterinary Services (USDA:APHIS:VS), the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, and the United States Animal Health Association. This quarterly animal health report presents compiled data from national animal disease control and eradication programs (bovine and porcine brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis, porcine pseudorabies and equine infectious anemia); patterns of selected diseases based on veterinary diagnostic laboratory data (bovine leukosis; bovine bluetongue; bovine, ovine and caprine paratuberculosis; equine arboviral encephalitis; equine viral arteritis; porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome); data on selected etiologic agents associated with specific animal health events such as bovine abortion; global disease distribution (bovine spongiform encephalopathy); and notes from veterinary diagnostic laboratories about unusual laboratory findings or new diagnostic procedures.

The DxMONITOR has contributed to a greater awareness of animal diseases in the United States. Global trade agreements, the worldwide information explosion, and increasing public concern over the safety and quality of food have focused attention on animal health. Compilation of veterinary diagnostic laboratory data is one component of the USDA: APHIS efforts to respond to these increased demands for animal health information through an integrated and coordinated monitoring and surveillance system. Animal-health monitoring and disease surveillance concern not only animal health per se, but also interactions with the environment, animal welfare, production practices and product wholesomeness which impact animal health. The DxMONITOR is mailed to all interested parties without charge and is increasingly available through electronic dissemination channels. For more information or subscription, contact DxMonitor Animal Health Report, c/o Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, USDA:APHIS:VS, 555 S. Howes, Suite 200, Ft. Collins, CO 80521-2586; telephone 303-490-7800; e-mail DXMONITOR@aphis.ag.gov.

Top