Section R58-17-9 - Handling of Aquatic Animals and Premises Confirmed to Be Infected With a Prohibited Pathogen Listed in the Aquatic Animal Health Inspection Policy(1) The commissioner of the department or the State Veterinarian shall quarantine facilities and locations with confirmed detections of prohibited pathogens and remove them from the health approval list.(2) The emergency response team and Board shall make recommendations to the department or division regarding the:(a) potential effects of prohibited pathogens on receiving waters, neighboring aquaculture facilities, or the public fishery resource;(b) course of action needed to prevent the spread of the prohibited pathogen and methods to eliminate it; and(c) development and implementation of a biosecurity plan.(3) The department or division, in their respective areas of responsibility, shall take action to control and eliminate prohibited pathogens. The course of action shall include: (a) destruction and disposal of infected and exposed aquatic animals;(b) cleaning and decontamination or disposal of all handling equipment;(c) cleaning and decontamination of the facility or location; or(d) the department or division will provide a report to the Board detailing the action taken to eliminate the pathogen and the follow-up inspection plan.(4) If biosecurity at the facility or location cannot or is not being maintained, immediate destruction of the stocks may be required.(5) The biosecurity plan shall be held until released by the State Veterinarian.(6) The State Veterinarian shall reassess the quarantine and may recommend release after each lot tests negative for the prohibited pathogens in two tests that are performed at least six months apart.(i) Tests shall be at the owner's expense.(ii) Tests may include the use of surrogate aquatic animals as specified in the biosecurity plan.Utah Admin. Code R58-17-9
Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2017-2, effective 12/19/2016Adopted by Utah State Bulletin Number 2023-01, effective 12/15/2022