Transboundary Emerging and Exotic Animal Disease/ Exotic Animal Disease Practice Exam

Which of the following situations would NOT warrant a call to an animal health official?

1. Blood-tinged diarrhea in dairy calves

2. Vesicles in the mouth and feet of one cow

3. Sudden death in 30% of a water buffalo herd

4. 75% mortality in lambs from a flock of 1000

The correct answer is: Blood-tinged diarrhea in dairy calves

Blood-tinged diarrhea in dairy calves typically indicates a serious health concern, but it is not always an immediate cause for alarm on the same level as the other scenarios presented. Various non-contagious or manageable conditions can result in blood-tinged diarrhea, which can sometimes be addressed through veterinary care or close monitoring without the necessity for reporting such incidents to animal health officials. In contrast, the other situations involve symptoms that suggest a more severe, potentially contagious disease or a significant welfare crisis among the animals. Vesicles in the mouth and feet of one cow could indicate diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, which is highly infectious and requires immediate reporting. Sudden death in 30% of a water buffalo herd presents a critical situation that could point to an infectious disease outbreak or environmental poisoning, necessitating urgent investigation. Similarly, 75% mortality in lambs from a flock of 1,000 indicates an extraordinary health crisis that could have serious implications for the flock and warrants immediate attention from animal health officials to prevent further losses and assess potential contagious diseases. Thus, blood-tinged diarrhea, while serious, may not always invoke the same level of urgency compared to these other situations, which involve outbreak potential or higher stakes regarding animal health.