Strict Animal Pathogens

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), National Import Export Service (NIES), Organisms and Vectors (OV) Unit regulates the importation into the United States, and interstate transportation, of organisms and vectors of pathogenic diseases of livestock and poultry. The Code of Federal Regulations, in 9 CFR, §122.2 , mandates that “no organisms or vectors shall be imported into the United States or transported from one State or Territory or the District of Columbia to another State or Territory or the District of Columbia without a permit”.

The same basic principles of biosafety and biocontainment can be applied to ensure that strict animal pathogens are not released into the environment. Some strict animal pathogens are controlled by the Federal Select Agent Regulations. Containment requirements for these pathogens may also be specified in USDA permits, when required.