R58-17-11. Handling of Aquatic Animals and Premises Confirmed to Be Infected With a Listed Pathogen in R58-17-15(D)

  (A) Where any facility or group of aquatic animals is confirmed to be infected with one or more of the pathogens listed in R58-17-15(D), the Commissioner of Agriculture and Food or State Veterinarian may either quarantine or remove the facility from the health approval list pursuant to R58-17-10 and take steps to prevent the spread of the pathogen and to eliminate it. These actions may be reviewed by the Board for recommendations to the Department. The Department or Division, in their respective areas of responsibility, may take one or more of the following actions as listed below in this subsection, depending on the pathogen involved and the potential effects of the pathogen on the receiving water, neighboring aquaculture facilities or the public fishery resource.

  (1) Destruction and disposal of all infected and exposed aquatic animals.

  (2) Cleaning and decontamination or disposal of all handling equipment and holding facilities.

  (3) Testing is required of all lots of aquatic animals, which may be at the owner's expense, to detect the presence or spread of the pathogen. This may include the use of sentinel aquatic animals. After two negative tests, six months apart, the quarantine shall be reassessed, possibly released, and/or other measures may be imposed pursuant to R58-17-10(A)(2). Once sufficient evidence shows that the pathogen is not present at a facility, full restocking may begin.

  (4) The infected aquatic animals may be allowed to remain on the premises through the production cycle depending on the pathogen involved and its potential effects on adjacent animals. All stocks within the facility shall be tested according to provisions outlined in the biosecurity plan to determine if the pathogen persists. At the end of the production cycle, then testing should be done at least annually. If the pathogen is not found after two consecutive annual inspections, then testing may revert to the original requirements for the facility. If biosecurity of the facility cannot or is not being maintained, immediate destruction of the stocks may be required. The biosecurity plan for the facility shall remain in effect if the COR holder sells or goes out of business.