<b>By DENISE DERRER<br>
Public Information Director<br>
Indiana Board of Animal Health</b></p><p>

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Ten just might be the magic number for the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH). After years of consecutive budget cuts and dwindling staff, last year the agency was provided an unprecedented restoration of funds to rebuild the state’s team of ten field veterinarians.<br>
With a growing livestock industry in Indiana, these veterinarians are the first line of defense against disease threats that could devastate the ability for animal agriculture to thrive in this state.
Now, with a full roster of 10 veterinarians, each filling a position in the state’s ten emergency planning districts, BOAH is ready to move Indiana to the next level in planning and preparedness. And, even though the ten districts were established based upon human population centers, the agency is finding ways to make them work.
“If we laid out our own territories, we would have drawn them a little differently – around the regions that center on certain types of species production,” explained Marianne Ash, DVM, BOAH’s director of planning and biosecurity. “But we feel it’s important to adapt to this structure, so BOAH can work seamlessly with other agencies in an emergency.”<br>
The districts are comprised of five to 12 counties. Each has a district-level planning committee that meets periodically to discuss issues. Most of the time, the topics of discussion focus on human health and general emergency planning; however, the presence of BOAH veterinarians at these meetings has provided a different perspective and a new angle on preparedness.<br>
Shelly Chavis, DVM, who oversees animal issues in District 3 – the block of 11 counties in the northeastern corner of the state, centered by Fort Wayne – works closely with local emergency managers and county health departments to educate the public about various issues that cross over from animal agriculture.<br>
“My district planners have included me in meetings about avian influenza and pandemic flu,” noted Chavis. “This has been a great opportunity to get agriculture’s message about this disease across to my counterparts who work in human health – because these two diseases are different and the public needs to know that bird flu is not pan flu. We need to remind people that avian influenza is not a threat to food safety, and our poultry industry is not a threat to them.”<br>
Another added benefit to the restored field team is the agency’s response times are shorter, adds Ash. “Whether the call is for a potential foreign animal disease investigation or a disposition that needs to be done at a local meat processing plant, BOAH staff can be more responsive and spend less time behind a windshield driving from one corner of the state to another.”<br>
With smaller territories, the district veterinarians have more opportunity to be involved in local meetings and get to know key people – from Extension to producers to county officials – in their areas.<br>
One of the initiatives BOAH is launching is one-on-one preparedness planning consultations with livestock producers.
“When you boil everything down, readiness really has to happen on the farm,” said Ash. “If you, as a livestock owner, have a plan for your own farm – from biosecurity to dead animal disposal to evacuations – your operation will fare far better than any assistance that can be routed by the state or federal government in any circumstance.”<br>
In addition to stepping up planning efforts with each of the major livestock commodity groups, BOAH field veterinarians are piloting a few individual planning sessions to develop work plans, by species, that can be applied to any type of operation. “If we can target the state’s largest operations first, and be sure they are prepared, that provides a layer of protection for the state’s economy, as well as gives us, the state, the ability to shift our response efforts to those that do not have access to substantial resources.”<br>
Another shift within BOAH to compliment the new set of field staff is a move to decentralize some of the functions previously handled in the central office.<br>
“Each of our district veterinarians has a specialty area on which to focus,” said State Veterinarian Bret D. Marsh, DVM. “For example, Dr. Jennifer Strasser, of District 1, has become the staff go-to person for issues related to aquaculture, a growing sector in Indiana.<br>
“Likewise, Dr. Jim Hollis, based in District 9, is leading our tuberculosis and brucellosis compliance programs.”<br>
As the newer members of the BOAH team settle into their roles, they will also be completing some intense training, including certification as foreign animal disease diagnosticians through the USDA’s Plum Island facility. Then, they will be extending their efforts within their districts to build on BOAH’s ongoing programs.
“We have a great group of veterinarians, who bring amazing talent, experience and skills that they’ve gained through their years in private practice,” added Dr. Ash. “I am so proud of the team we have been able to assemble. You will not find a finer state regulatory team anywhere.”<br>
For more information about biosecurity and planning efforts, visit the BOAH website at www.boah.in.gov or e-mail:  animalhealth@boah.in.gov