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FRANKFORT,
Ky. — Two Kentucky animal health officials have been
recognized by the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association
for their efforts in combating animal disease.
Dr.
Ed Hall, assistant director of the Kentucky Department
of Agriculture's Division of Animal Health, received
the Veterinarian of the Year Award at the KVMA's annual
conference Oct. 7-10 in Louisville. Rusty Ford, manager
of the division's Equine Programs Branch, received a
Distinguished Service Award.
"I
want to congratulate Dr. Hall and Mr. Ford for these
well-deserved honors," Agriculture Commissioner
Richie Farmer said. "Everyone in the Office of
the State Veterinarian deserves credit for all they
do to keep our animal industries free of disease and
maintain a safe, abundant and affordable food supply
for Kentucky consumers."
Dr.
Hall was honored for his leadership in developing the
KDA's agricultural emergency plan. Ford was recognized
for his "devoted service to the veterinary profession,
the equine industry and commodity groups" for his
role in the investigation of Mare Reproductive Loss
Syndrome, West Nile Virus monitoring and other disease
control efforts, according to the KVMA.
The
Office of the State Veterinarian enforces state and
federal regulations on interstate livestock movement;
maintains animal health records; and supervises and
inspects livestock dealers and other animal assembly
points. It administers programs to control and eradicate
equine diseases, brucellosis, pseudorabies, Johne's
and other animal diseases. Kentucky is free of brucellosis
in cattle and pseudorabies in swine. No thoroughbred
stallion standing in Kentucky is known to have equine
viral arteritis, and Kentucky recorded only one case
of equine infectious anemia in 2003.
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