This program from the University at Albany Center for Public Health Preparedness, describes the animal surveillance systems that exist at the state level and the role of the animal health community in supporting early detection of illness among animals to aide in the identification of a potential bioterrorism event. Bruce L. Akey, DVM, MS, discusses the identification and tracking of zoonotic diseases at the state/community level.

After viewing the program, participants will be able to:

• Identify which federal agency has jurisdiction over meat, poultry and egg products;
• Describe some previous national food-borne outbreaks and organisms involved;
• List several risks of agro-terrorism to the United States;
• Outline the steps in U.S. food production and safety measures employed; and
• Discuss some of the recent changes designed to increase food safety.

Other products that may be of interest to you include:

• Model Emergency Response Communications Planning for Infectious Disease Outbreaks and Bioterrorist Events;
• Investigating an Outbreak: Pharyngitis in Louisiana; and
• Emergency Preparedness: What's Your Competency?

This project was supported under a cooperative agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the Association of Schools of Public Health.