In June 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a Federal Order for monitoring and managing novel swine enteric coronavirus diseases (SECD) and provided $26.2 million in emergency funding to support these efforts. This emergency funding is projected to be exhausted in approximately two months.
In anticipation of depleting these funds, APHIS will pay for testing of SECD diagnostic samples received on or before April 30, 2016 and billed to APHIS’ Veterinary Services (VS) program prior to June 30, 2016. Swine operations may continue to conduct diagnostic sampling after this date, but we will not provide reimbursement for the testing.
On January 16, 2016, VS issued a revised SECD Federal Order to extend the availability of emergency funds for diagnostic testing and reporting through the winter season. To maximize these resources, VS eliminated the requirement that a herd management plan be developed for herds meeting the case definition for SECD. Payments to veterinarians for completion of herd plans and payments to producers for biosecurity practices (truck washing and disinfection) were also eliminated.
VS will be engaging in discussions with stakeholders to determine the future of the SECD program. These discussions will include how SECD fits into the future of comprehensive and integrated swine surveillance and other swine health activities.
Instructions for National Animal Health Laboratory Network Laboratories will be provided separately by the NAHLN Office. Until notified otherwise, reporting by NAHLN laboratories will be required.