Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Refinement and use of Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (Health Certificates) for optimal assurance of disease freedom in aquatic animals.
- Journal:
- Developments in biologicals
- Year:
- 2007
- Authors:
- Starling, D E et al.
- Affiliation:
- Aqueterinary Services · United States
Plain-English summary
Health Certificates, also known as Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), are important documents that help ensure that aquatic animals being moved from one place to another are healthy and not carrying diseases. While these certificates have been effectively used for land animals for many years, their application for aquatic animals is still developing. A well-designed CVI can provide a reliable and cost-effective way to confirm that animals are free from specific diseases at any given time. When issued by a qualified veterinarian, these certificates are essential for trade between states and countries. The study discusses how to improve these certificates for various aquatic species and diseases, and suggests a new model that could be used with modern electronic systems for tracking animal health.
Abstract
Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), generally termed "Health Certificates", are pivotal for ensuring that translocated animals are not diseased or do not harbour significant pathogens. While used very successfully with terrestrial animal movement for decades, CVIs for aquatic animals are not well refined, understood or used, despite the availability of several aquatic animal "certification processes", "permits" and "health certificates", including the OIE model health certificates. Correctly designed CVIs provide the single most economical and effective assurance of disease status (generally freedom from specific diseases or pathogens) for individuals or lots of animals, at any point in time. When issued by a qualified independent third-party (typically a licensed and government accredited veterinarian) they provide the official level of assurance necessary for intrastate, interstate and international trade. Tailored modifications of CVIs are also useful for other purposes requiring the evaluation of animal health (e.g. specific pathogen-free (SPF) assurance for premises, risk-mitigating assurance necessary for insurance policies, breeding soundness assurance of broodstock, etc.). Here we discuss necessary information for aquatic animal CVIs: animal, ownership and location; standardized diagnostic results and their interpretation; and language contained in CVIs. Also addressed is the viability for use with multiple aquatic species and diseases/pathogens of interest, and their use in conjunction with established veterinary inspection procedures. A revised model aquatic CVI, with broad potential use for individual operations, states or countries, is offered for discussion, comment and refinement. In addition an optimally designed model CVI may be of use with electronic systems that are evolving in, for example, Europe, the USA and Australia/New Zealand (e.g. TRACES, e-CVI, e-Certs).
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18306523/