A second concern comes from the threat of new and reemerging infectious diseases that are invading our shores with increasing frequency—monkeypox, SARS, mad cow disease, avian influenza, West Nile fever. They are mostly zoonotic diseases, diseases transmissible to humans. Their trespass into our animal populations is the inevitable consequence of global trade, world population growth, air travel, poverty, and squalor. It is unlikely that these ingredients will change in the foreseeable future, and foreign animal diseases will almost certainly continue to invade United States. The worry is that we are ill prepared to defend against either of these threats.

Government support to meet the needs for agricultural biosecurity, if it is to be forthcoming, will come out of fear of the unknown, from perceived threats to the food supply from diseases such as mad cow disease or avian influenza. Yet the needs for biosecurity on the farm, in the profession, and in our teaching hospitals are already here, and the threats are serious. In the past four years, multidrug-resistant Salmonella Newport has swept through the U.S. dairy industry, likely developing from the profligate use of antibiotics. All mammals can be affected, but it is most severe in cattle and horses, for whom it can be lethal. Many seemingly normal animals carry and shed the organism, complicating its control. We have had to close the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at New Bolton Center because of an outbreak of S. Newport.

In humans, S. Newport causes diarrhea, pain, fever, and malaise; although not common, it is of special concern in young children and may become severe in individuals who are immunosupressed. We are not aware of any infection among faculty, staff, or students at New Bolton Center.

Without effective antibiotics, the only way to contain the spread of S. Newport is by rigorous biosecurity measures, routine disinfection, foot baths, personal hygiene, changes of shoes and clothing as workers and veterinarians move between facilities, and limited access to animal housing.

We shall institute these measures at New Bolton Center once we have completed the arduous task of decontaminating our facilities. We shall also routinely culture all animals entering the hospital and isolate any that test positive for Salmonella. Our goal is to offer better, safer care than ever before at New Bolton Center and to sustain our reputation as one of the world’s premier equine hospitals.