DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURETemporary Order Designating Dangerous Transmissible Disease [35 Pa.B. 4929] The Department of Agriculture (Department) hereby issues a temporary order designating Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV) as a ''dangerous transmissible disease.'' This designation is made under 3 Pa.C.S. §§ 2301--2389 (relating to the Domestic Animal Law).
Under 3 Pa.C.S. § 2327(a) (relating to disease surveillance and detection), the Department has authority to monitor the domestic animal population of this Commonwealth to determine the prevalence, incidence and location of transmissible diseases of animals. Under 3 Pa.C.S. § 2321(d) (relating to dangerous transmissible diseases), the Department has authority to declare a disease that has not been specifically identified in that statute as a ''dangerous transmissible disease'' to be a dangerous transmissible disease through issuance of a temporary order making that designation.
LCMV is known to cause potentially fatal disease in humans and is capable of being spread by various rodent species. From time to time, outbreaks have occurred in the United States, necessitating swift investigation and disease containment strategies to protect human health.
Order
The Department hereby designates LCMV as a ''dangerous transmissible disease'' under 3 Pa.C.S. § 2321(d).
This order shall take effect as of July 25, 2005, and shall remain in effect until no later than July 25, 2006. This Department may: (1) reissue this temporary order to extend the designation beyond July 25, 2006; (2) allow this temporary order to expire on July 25, 2006; (3) supplant this temporary order with a formal regulation; or (4) modify this temporary order.
Questions regarding this temporary order should be directed to Paul Knepley, DVM, Director, Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408, (717) 772-2852.
DENNIS C WOLFF,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 05-1639. Filed for public inspection September 2, 2005, 9:00 a.m.]
