A Kentucky Department of Agriculture veterinarian has completed a course in diagnosing foreign animal diseases, adding to the state’s arsenal of available responses should its livestock ever be threatened–either through natural outbreak or by an act of terrorism.

Cris Young, DVM, received his training from the USDA at Plum Island Diagnostic Laboratory, a homeland security facility in New York. He is now the only foreign animal disease diagnostician working for KDA. There also are five foreign animal disease diagnosticians in Kentucky with the USDA and one in the state with the U.S. Army Reserves.

“Our Department has taken a leadership role in this state when it comes to homeland security and bio-terrorism,” said Agriculture Commissioner Billy Ray Smith. “We offer publications and signage about homeland security that
tell our citizens about steps they can take to prevent a disease outbreak and how to respond should an outbreak occur.

“Dr. Young’s training is just one more step in keeping Kentucky agriculture prepared for any emergency situation,” Commissioner Smith said