DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Temporary Order Designating West Nile Encephalitis a Dangerous Transmissible Disease [31 Pa.B. 1381] The Department of Agriculture (Department) reissues its previous temporary order designating West Nile Encephalitis a ''dangerous transmissible disease,'' under authority of the Agriculture Code, 3 Pa.C.S. § 2322(d). The original temporary order making this designation was published at 30 Pa.B. 1381 (March 11, 2000). The designation has facilitated the Department's efforts to detect and contain West Nile Encephalitis and to assist the Department of Health and other public health agencies in any monitoring and treatment efforts.
West Nile Encephalitis is a disease of public health significance. It also poses a threat to domestic animal health and to the economic well-being of domestic animal industries. Section 2322(c) of the Agriculture Code requires this Department proceed with the agreement of the Department of Health when it adds a disease of public health significance to the list of designated dangerous transmissible diseases. Both this Department and the Department of Health agreed upon adding West Nile Encephalitis to the list of dangerous transmissible diseases, and to the reissuance of this temporary order.
West Nile Encephalitis is an infection of the brain caused by the West Nile Virus. Although West Nile Virus has, in the past, been found most typically in Africa, Eastern Europe and West Asia, it was detected in the New York City area and in parts of New Jersey in 1999. In mild cases, the disease causes fever, headache and body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph glands. In more severe cases, it causes headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, paralysis and occasional convulsions.
Humans and animals can acquire West Nile Virus through a bite from a mosquito that has bitten an infected animal. Since birds are among the animals known to carry West Nile Virus, it is possible infected birds might bring the virus to this Commonwealth from the New York City/New Jersey area, and that mosquitoes that bite these birds might be capable of transmitting the disease to humans and animals they subsequently bite. .
The Department has authority under the Domestic Animal Law provisions of the Agriculture Code, 3 Pa.C.S. §§ 2301--2389 to regularly monitor the domestic animal population of this Commonwealth to determine the prevalence, incidence and location of transmissible diseases. The designation of West Nile Encephalitis as a ''dangerous transmissible disease'' will facilitate this Department's surveillance of birds and other animals for the presence of the West Nile Virus or West Nile Encephalitis.
This order is a temporary order, as required under section 2322(d) of the Agriculture Code. This order shall take effect as of March 10, 2001, and shall remain in effect until no later than March 10, 2002. This Department may: (1) Reissue this temporary order to extend the designation beyond March 10, 2002; (2) Allow this temporary order to expire March 10, 2002; (3) Supplant this temporary order with a formal regulation designating West Nile Encephalitis a ''dangerous transmissible disease''; or (4) Modify this temporary order.
Any questions regarding this temporary order may be directed to John Enck, DVM, Director, Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408, (717) 783-6677.
SAMUEL E. HAYES, Jr.,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 01-408. Filed for public inspection March 9, 2001, 9:00 a.m.]
