Disease surveillance/containment

More recent surveillance indicates that the incidence of veterinary drug residues above MRLs is falling. Results from the 1994 UK surveillance programs showed that a total of approximately 0.2% of all samples analyzed contained violative residues (31). By way of comparison, the total in excess of MRLs in 1993 was also 0.2%, whereas in 1992 the figure was 0.48%. A total of 5 of 86 samples of imported swine kidney contained residues of tetracyclines in excess of the MRL. Apart from tetracyclines, 1.7% of the swine kidney samples were found to contain residues of sulfonamides above the MRL, compared with 1.5% in 1993. This is likely to have resulted from the increased use of sulfonamides to treat respiratory disease. Residues of nicarbazin were determined in 8 samples, residues of sulfonamides in 11 samples, and residues of lasalocid in 46 of the 429 egg samples analyzed. One sample contained residues of sulfadiazine at a level of 924 ppb. 

Respiratory sensitisers may be referred to as asthmagens. In 1989 Surveillance of Work Related Respiratory Disease (SWORD) was started and contains reports by respiratory and occupational physicians. 

Effective surveillance and monitoring systems have been developed to generate epidemiological data about the presence or absence of diseases and their prevalence. Such systems provide vital information about the spread of diseases that can be used in the control and containment of hazards (e.g. pathogens) or the demonstration of freedom from disease status. In fact, the analysis of surveillance data can produce early warning indicators and trends in disease patterns that can support the need for biosecurity contingency plans, such as import controls or the establishment of buffer zones. 

Compartment - means one or more aquaculture establishments under a common biosecurity management system containing an aquatic animal population with a distinct health status with respect to a specific disease or diseases for which required surveillance and control measures are applied and basic biosecurity conditions are met for the purpose of international trade. 

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