USDA provides CD for first responders to disease outbreaks

USDA provides CD for first responders to disease outbreaks    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has released an informational compact disc for federal and state agriculture first responders to disease outbreaks.
   “This new tool provides federal, state and private veterinarians immediate access to resources and relevant information to help them more effectively identify, respond to, control and facilitate recovery from a foreign animal disease outbreak,” said U.S. agriculture secretary Ann M. Veneman in statement.
   The CD, “Food Security: The Threat to American Livestock,” was developed in partnership with Auburn University. Through this CD, the USDA has developed an extensive program to enhance the readiness to detect, deter and respond to terrorist events involving plant or animal pathogens.
   Shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, Veneman formed a Homeland Security Council in the USDA to develop a plan and coordinate efforts among all department agencies and offices. The council focused on food supply and agriculture production, USDA facilities and staff, and emergency preparedness.