Notification and control of transmissible diseases of livestock and poultry 1981 (By-law No. 4)

By-law No. 4 : Notification and control of transmi,sible preamble ; Scope. diseases of lI vestock and poultry 1 he purpose of ,his By-law is to prevent tho spread of socio~economically important animal diseases which exist in the country, with the ultimate aim to achieve their eradication or to reduce their incidence to insignificant levels, and thus to make livestock rearing more remun~ eratlve by lmprovfng the health scams and consequencly the productivity and output of livestock and by reducin11 morbidity and mortality losses, and thus to raise the nutritionul .:Hundurds and income levels of the f..lrrncr:, and to enable the country to move towards the National Objective of self-reliance. It is also a purpose of this By-law to ensure th.e early detectinn and immediate eradication of any important eJ<otic animal disease, which may involve the danger of a national emergency and which in spite of quarantine measures at tho frontier might penetrate in to the country. I. Provision• under this By-law refer to all domestic animals and their products, and to wildlife and wildlife products as far as relevant for the health protection of domestic animals. Duty Channel. 2. On all matters concerning the implementation of this By-law, the DAHO/DVO shall report directly to the Animal Husbandry Department jn MirJjst:ry of Developm"nt and shaJJ re('eive orrlf!rS 41ir,..ctly from th~rl!!: Permanent measures. 3. In order to control the permanent threat of disease spread, the DAHO/ DVO and hiit repn::t.eutalivc arc cwpowe1c:J.; 13 a) to enter and ioipect any premises or area where animals, animal prO<lucts or animal feed are kept, b) to inspeC't aninrnls anrl to :1pply s1wh prophylnrtil' or tJ,,.rnpf":11tic trea1mcnts as may be ordered by the Ministry of Development; the owner may be obliged to assemble the animals for that purpose and to give any assistance which may be reasonably requested, c) to inspeet vehicles used for trans,,ort of animals, anim:tl products or animal feed and related items and to request or i,erform their cleaning and disinfection, if appropriate, or prohibit their use for certain purposes, if found inadequate, d) to inspect animals prior to transport, during transport and after transport and to restrict, limit or prohibit their movellll:nt, if so required for the protection of animal health. e) to apply identifying marks to animals and animal products, or order such marks to be applied, in the form of tags, brands, tatoos or orhers, as may be ordered by the Ministry of Development. f) to jnspe-ct docu,nents related to the keeping, perfortnanc.e or movc ment of animals or to the origin, storage, handling or movement. of animal products, feed or relnted items. g) to give instructions to animal owners concerning the hygiCnic managemen i: of animals, pastures and premises. h) tn give in ... trm~tions. !'on~f'rning hf!ienic pra.,etices f:o th!:! manae;f'.rs of establishments where animal products or feed are handi'ed, stored, transporied or marketed, and to order in agreement with the responsible civil administration =that repairs or reconstructions be made or that all or parts of the establishment's activities be susp<nded, if ,o required for reasons of httrnan or animal health. Ce.•••• of origin and hoafthp movement per-tnlts and no.r-e. 4. The Ministry of Development, in agreement, with the Dzongkhag Ad ministrations may temporarily or permanently introduce the require mt'nt of tertH'ica.tc~ of origin and hc:alth 11nd movem-ent permita for the transpvrt of animals, animal products or feed, and l ICenses for ntablishments where anim1\ products are elabors.1ted, handled, stored, transported or mark~ted, ., applicable to specific diseases, • 5. Specific measures, as defined in this By-law and as may be ordered by the Miui:slry of Dcvduprrn:nt, i;hall be apnlie;l to the control of; 14 a) Notifiable diseases, where compulsory notification by the public and intensive tracing by the veterinary authorities is lcgalty required for every case occuring in the COU11try, and where a )JlC5Ct ilJct.1 sequence of actions has to be taken by the DAHO/DVO until the outbreak is extinguished. b) Officially controlled disca&i:.!, -which an: to be controlled by mcaus of systematic official programmes, as may be ordered by Ministry of Development, with a view to reduce thier incidence to accept able 1.evels and ultimately to achieve their eradication, if biologkally feasible. Notifiable Diseases. (i. The following diseases arc uolifiable: a) Rinderpest in all ,usceptible domestic and wild species. b) Foot and Mouth Disease in all susceptible domestic and wild specie,. c) Contagious Bovine pleuropneumonla in cattle. d) Haemorrhagic septicaemia in cattle, Yak and buffalo. e) Sheep Pox in sheep. f.1 Swine Fc:vc1 (Hog Chule1a) iu µ1gi-. g) Glanders in horses and donkeys. h) Dourine in horses and donkeys. il Ranikhet Disease in poultry. j) Blackleg in cattle. kl Anthrax in all domestic and wild species. ll Rahies. in n.11 dnmest ic and wild specleR.. m) Any other disease which the Ministry of Development may add to this list from time to time. 7. Every o.nima.l owner or person in•churge of animals is obliged to· report without delay to the nearest Veterinary Institute or Police Station: a) any facts which give reason to suispect the pre&cncc of a uutifi .. able disease, b) any cases of increased mortality or morbidity or sudden drop in production which might be attributable:: to a uotifiabfc disease. The Police station shall immediately forward such information to the DAHO/DVO, preferably by telephone. Until the arrival of the DA.110/DVO or his representative, the owner $hall keep i.i~k. 15 animals in isolation and shall not permit any animal or animal product or feed to leave the area or prem1sefi, nor permit the enlry of any animal, 8. The DAHO/DVO or his representative, upo.n r~ipl af such notice shall immediately proceed to the place of the occurance in order to verify the facts. He shall first examine the nppnrently healthy animals, and then the affected ones. According to his findings, he shall either in.fe,m the owner or his represrmtative:: that the suspicion ofa neti'fia~ bla duease can he discarded, or otherwise i11hi:attt: the sa-nitary act.ion w epizootblogical enquiry, a., indicated below; Faci finding and epjzootiological onquiry. 9. Unh.ss the:: suspicion of a notifiable di:scasc can be definitely described, the DAHO/DVO or his representative shall: a) take samples for laboratory examination. b) c'c•crminc the limit5 of the infectc:d place, taking into account the nature of the dis!ase suspected and all relevant facts; determine the number of susceptible and non-susceptible animals in the infected place and apply suitable signs or marl:: to !1:Uth unim1'ls; determine the feed resources available in the infected place. cl Investigate, by thorough enquiry about recent movemeat,, the possible origin and possible further sp.read of infection. in order to facilitate appropriate control action in the places concerend. 10. After leaving the infected place, he shall not enter any other place where livestock is being keptt but shall first retutn to the Veterinary Institute to deliver the samples and to h,ve vehicle equipment and garments thoroughly disinfected. Following such disinfection, or change of vehicle, garments and ~quipment he shall proceed to the inspecw tion farms surrounding the infected place. Sanitary action. 11. Ref ore leaving the infected place-, thP nAHO/nVO nr h ii:i r~prt!1.~n~ tative shall initiate the sanitary action by provisionally declaring the place infected. The provisional dedattion of the infected place shall be legally v11.Iid and binding for tt pNiod of 4R hm1rs, within which time it h&s- to be either confirmed or revoked by the competent civil authority. The sanitary action shall be initiated immediately, and shall be discontinued when 16 a) the civil authority refuses to confirm the declaration of infected place within 48 hours, or b) the examination of labcratory samples bas permit:ed to discard the suspkfon of a notifiable disease, or c) the sanitary action has been successfully terminated with the extinction of the outbreak, as indicated below. 12. The sanitary action shalt include the following measures, as appro~ priatc under the ~ircum:5tancc:s and in view of the di.sct.1>c concerned, according to the discretion of the DAHO/DVO and, where appikeble, i11 strict conformity with orders given by the Animal Husbandry Department, Ministry of Development; al display of posters in conspicuous places to indic:ite the infected place and to give pertinent instructions to the public. bl prohibition of ac,;;;c:ss to the infected place, c1 prohibition of removal of animals, dung, straw, hay nnd or.her objects capable of tr.,1nsmitcing the infectio11 from the infected place. dJ prohibition of introduc1ng animal to the inkcted place, e) Inter~current disinfection, cleaning, sterilization of liWill, particu larly residues of food and feed. fJ diagnostic measures, co11ectfon of samples for diagnostic purprns and labooratory examination of such samples, g1 prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of the animals or prohibition of such treatment; costration of stallions in the case of Duorine hJ compulsory slaughter and/or destruction of animals vdth compen sation paid, or encourngcmcnt of voluntary slaughter, to abreviatc the quarantine period. i) safe disposal of dung, manure, and litter. j) '1erilization of the meat of emergency slaughtered animals. condi tionally approved for local consumption in the quarantined farm. k) incineration, deep burial or confiscation for destruction or trans formatfon of the hodie., of dead anim:ils, I) authority for the DAHO/DVO to control the management of the infected place by reason•ble pertinent orders and prohibitions of all kind. 1: 13. In the case of Rinderpest, Foot and Mouth Disease and Swine F,"r· tl~e infected place shall be surrounded by an officially establish::d control area. In th~ c.ts.e of Rjnd.;;1·per,t and Foot and Mouth Disei1se, the control are~ shall b1'! surrounded by an efficial observation aJJd stand still area. The size and limits of the control area and, where applicable the :mrroundin2 observation area shall be decided from time to time by order of ihe Ministry of Development in agree.~ ment with the Dzongkhag Administration concerned, taking inlo account the probability of spread, feasibility of effective action, availability of vaccines, manpower, financial resources and other relevant factors. The purpoi.<:: of t!l<J sanitary adion in the contrcl and observation areo1s shall be the prevention ot spread and exp~ dient detect10n er inJc.cted ilnimals tn the area threatened by such spread. The measures c\rn(;erned shaH include, as applied a.ml appropriate; a) display or posters rn conspicuous plao,s and information by appro priate means to indicate the '·vontrol area" and "observation area" and to give pertinent instruction to the public; inspection at Police Road Check points for effective implementation of measures, bl prohibition of movement of animals and products capable of transmitting the disease out of the area concerned. c) prohibition, restriction or limitation of the movemeht of animJ.is and associated products within the area concerned. d) disinfection of vehicles, e) placing of disinfection mats at entry to premises and other suitable places, f) vaccination. g) compulsory boiling of milk and disinfection measures m milk collecting and cheese making places, or temporary suspension of such places. h) compulsory prncessing, sterilization or disinfection of products capable of transmitting disease. 14. In the case of Rabies, the provision of By-law No, 2 para 6 shall apply. Termination of outbreak. 15. Terminal disinfection under official supervision shall be applied prior to rele.l\se from r~~tricti{)n, including the incineration of presumably contaminated objects of low value, which cannot be efficiently 18 disinfected. Subject to such termination disinfection being aoplied, the infected place shall be released from restriction: aJ lfall infccred animals have died ur rec.'{Jvcte<l, cmJ if nu fu.rd1e1 disease has occurred among the other susceptible animals following the last case of death or officially confirmed recovery, during a length of time corresponding to the known incubation period and other relevant factors. b) if all susceptible animals have been slaughtered or destroyed and if repnpuJatinn ha 1; been effected under official ohservation and no disease has appeared in susceptible animals. 16. Precaution measures, investigation and movement control shall con tinue in the control and observation area during an adequate length of time, as the Minister of Development will determine from Ume to time. 1f no further cases occur~ the entire area shall b~ released from restriction and an official declaration shall be made to that eff,ct. Outbreak of notifiable diseases during transport or migration. 17. If a notifiable disease is detected in animals during transport or migration, the affected group, flock or herd shalJ be confined in a fenced area. at the place where the detect.ion was made, but a-t reasonable distance from local livestock and transit roads. The measures applied u.i the animals and to the area of their confinement shall be the 11ame as Jndicated above, under para 9-16. Officiallr controlled diseases. 18. The Minister of Development may make orders from time to time tstablishing systematic programmes of control against such socio economically significant diseases which are not notifiablo and which can more conveniently be controlled by measures other than those referred to under para 7-17. 19. Such programmes may be applied to the following officially con• trolled diseases: aJ Bovine tuberculosis and Johne's disease bJ Bovine brucello•is cl Infertility und young animal diseases in all domestic species. d) Intestiaal parasites, lung worms, liver fluke, ecltinococosis, cysticerocosis, Coenurus cerebralis and other internal parasites in all domestic species. e) Pulloro:sis in poultry fJ Diseases of fish, bees and silk worm 19 gl Any other disease or group diseases which the Minister of Develop ment may add to this list. Oolleatlon of dead animals, 20. The DAHO/DVO shall cooperate with the Dzongkhag Administration in developing orj&nized plans for the collection of dead animals in order to: al prevent their utilization for hutllllll consumption which hazard to publio health. b) providiti fur the.ir optimal economio utilizntion for indus trial purposes. c) contribute to intensified animal disea,;e surveillance through necro psy diag!losiu in the Veteriae.ry lnstitutos. Roper!& animal di-•• atatlatloa 21. The DI\HQfi>VO shall periodi~ally report to the Animal Husbandry JJepartmcnt, M1mstry of Uevolopment, rnd1catmg: a) Number and place of outbreaks of notifiable diseases b Diagnosis made in the Veterinary Institute. c) Act1oa perft\rmcd m Zoonosis control programmes d) Action performed m schemes for officially controlled disea,es. el Action performed m the genetic improvemant scheme t Meat in&pcct10n g) Frontier quarantine h) Other inspectiorr activities i) Clinical work.. 22. The Ministry of Development, Animal HusbandTy Department •hall compile thc1e reports into ; al Annual Vetermary Activ!ly Keports b) By-monthly notifiable disease bulletins 23. Penalty : The penalty for voilation of the above By-law shall be a line ot not less than Nu. 500 and upto Nu. 1000/- or prison upto 3 months accroding to the severity of the infraction, A peI&liln who fails to report the occura.n,·e of a notifiable disease 9-all be cxdudc:d from any indemnity or subsidy. If an ani mal owner fails to comply with the instructions given by the compotent authority in the course of a sanitary action, or removes or cooce..ils posten, which indicate an infected place, the animals shall be confiscated without compensation. 24. 20 Indeminisation and The Minister of Development make orders from subsidies time to time for the p1yment of indemnities and subsidies, nut cxl:c~·lling the value uf t1 1~ animals concerned, for losses from notifiable diseases and related control measure.'-, under the condition of expedient notification und full ooopettttion in the sanitary action. 25. Fees: The Minister of Development may make orders from time tn timP. to ch:lfge adequate fees for perfodic vaccina.tiom against notifiable or officially controlled animal diseases. No fees, ho.:wever, shall be charged for compulsory vaccination in the frontier belt area or in control areas surrounding an infected place. No fee shall be charged for the visit of a farm where a notifiable disease has been reported or suspected and no fee shall be charged for any of the ofticial measures taken in a place infected by a notifiable disease. The Minister of Development may make orders ltom time to Lime to esrnbli~h fc:es which shall be charged for diagnu .. stic, prophylactic or therapeutic tneasures taken in the framework of systematic schemes against officially con .. trolled diaensts.