ANIMAL HEALTH IN ILLINOIS

Who oversees animal health in Illinois?

The Agriculture Department licenses individuals and businesses, such as auction markets, livestock dealers, feeder swine dealers and slaughter buyers, who purchase and sell livestock for a fee or assume ownership of livestock to resell at a profit. Licensing allows the department to ensure compliance with animal health laws and strengthens the livestock industry by taking action when businesses operate illegally.

What does the Agriculture Department do to help eradicate animal disease in Illinois?

The following paragraphs summarize how the department works toward eradication of animal diseases.

Pseudorabies In 2002, Illinois achieved pseudorabies free status. Pseudorabies is a viral disease that affects animals' immune systems, respiratory functions and reproductive abilities. Although usually associated with swine, pseudorabies can infect virtually all mammals except humans and tailless apes. The disease is spread through direct contact with an infected animal. Preventive vaccinations are available, but no cure exists for the sometimes fatal disease.

State and federal veterinarians perform routine testing and trace the origin of animals testing positive for pseudorabies at slaughter. When a herd is determined to be infected, a veterinarian visits the herd owner to develop an eradication plan. The plan includes recommendations for herd management and movement of animals, biosecurity measures, and vaccination and testing schedules. The veterinarian continues to work with the owner until the disease is eliminated from the herd. State veterinarians also test swine in areas surrounding quarantined herds to locate additional infected animals.

Equine infectious anemia (EIA) affects the immune system of horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, asses and zebras. The disease spreads when blood from infected animals is transmitted to other animals by blood-sucking insects or through use of contaminated hypodermic needles or surgical instruments. No treatment is available. Infected animals must be freeze-branded, sent to market, euthanized or quarantined for life.

Animal health officials enforce regulations requiring a negative test for EIA within 12 months preceding entry into the state or participation in an advertised equine event. These events include shows, demonstrations, sales, auctions, rodeos and organized trail rides. State law also mandates testing of equidae within 1� miles of a single positive animal and 3 miles of multiple positive animals.

All equine 12 months of age and older moving through sales and auctions are required to have a negative test for EIA within 12 months prior to arrival at the sale.  Equine being loaned, leased, traded or sold privately are also required to have tested negative within the preceding12 month period, if the animal is more than 12 months of age.

Poultry diseases
Avian influenza is a viral disease that affects the respiratory and nervous systems of many kinds of poultry and birds. No effective treatment exists.

Ratites (ostriches, emus, kiwis, cassowaries and rhea) transported into Illinois must test negative for avian influenza within 10 days prior to entry into Illinois.

The Department also administers the National Poultry Improvement Plan for Illinois. The plan provides for the testing for diseases such as Salmonella pullorum at poultry- producing facilities and to inspect these facilities for proper sanitation. Officials also evaluate producers' management practices, testing and monitoring procedures.

Brucellosis
Illinois has maintained bovine brucellosis-free status since 1992 and swine brucellosis-free status since 1984, enabling the state to repeal some industry testing requirements. Brucellosis is a contagious bacterial disease that may cause pregnant females to abort and animals of both sexes to become infertile. Brucellosis does not contaminate the meat from infected animals but may reduce milk yields in infected dairy cows.

As a surveillance measure, the Department of Agriculture tests for brucellosis at slaughter facilities. Cattle sold through auction markets may also be subject to test to ensure they are free of this disease before being introduced into a new herd.

Tuberculosis
Illinois achieved bovine tuberculosis-free status in 1986 after 67 years of working toward eradication.

As a preventive measure, cattle entering Illinois for exhibition from states with a high incidence of tuberculosis must test negative for the disease. To prevent transmission of tuberculosis from captive deer and elk to livestock, the Department requires deer and elk transported into the state test negative for tuberculosis prior to entry.

Johne's
Johne's disease, or paratuberculosis, is a chronic disease in cattle, bison, cervids (deer and elk), sheep and goats, marked by chronic, intermittent diarrhea that does not respond to treatment.

Infection occurs with the ingestion of the Johne's bacteria through feed or water contaminated with feces, or from bacteria on the teat or udder of the dam. Trans-placenta infection is also possible. Additionally, the bacteria can also be passed through colostrum or milk.

There is no cure for Johne's disease.

For more information about these and other animal health programs administered by the Department, contact:

Illinois Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Animal Health
P.O. Box 19281
State Fairgrounds
Springfield, IL 62794-9281

217-782-4944
TDD: 217-524-6858
FAX: 217-558-6033