This letter is SO logical and demonstrates how absolutely stupid we have become to let political correctness MAKE ALL DECISIONS. Lewiston Idaho Veterinarians Letter To The Editor Re: Ebola, Nails It! The present Ebola crisis in the world is frightening. I have submitted the following letter to the editor of the Lewiston Morning Tribune: Editor, Lewiston Morning Tribune: If I wish to import a horse into the United States from Liberia or any African country other than Morocco, the horse needs to undergo a 60 day quarantine period at a USDA approved quarantine facility prior to mingling with the general population of horses in this country. Africa has a disease called African Horse Sickness that does not exist in the US; this is the way we have kept it out of this country. African Horse Sickness does not cause disease in people, only horses; our government has determined that it would be devastating to the U.S. horse industry if it were to come here. The United States (and virtually all other countries) require a myriad of tests and often quarantine prior to bringing in a foreign animal. I can?t legally cross state lines in the United States with a horse or cow without a health certificate signed by a USDA accredited veterinarian stating that the animal has been inspected and found free of infectious disease. In most cases blood tests are also required. In fact I can?t legally cross the Snake River and ride my horse in Idaho without a health certificate and a negative blood test for Equine Infectious Anemia. I?m not complaining; the United States of America, the States of Idaho and Washington as well as the other 48 states take the health of our livestock very seriously, and we have a very good record at keeping foreign animal diseases out of our country. I am happy to do my part to maintain biosecurity in our animal population. If I am a resident of Liberia incubating Ebola, to enter the United States all I need to do is present a valid visa, and lie when asked if I have been exposed to Ebola. Within hours (no quarantine required) I can be walking the streets of any city in the United States. I feel very fortunate to live in a country that values our animals so highly. David A. Rustebakke, DVM
Posted on: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 21:29:24 +0000
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