EMC OBTAINS EQUINE AMBULANCE

Virginia Tech's (Virginia Poly- technic Institute and State University) Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center has acquired an ambulance which will be available to service emer- gency equine medical needs which arise at steeplechase and point-to-point races during the Spring 1997 season.

The ambulance will provide emer- gency transport from the accident scene to a staging area where horses can be treated by course veterinarians or taken to a veterinary hospital.

The custom designed trailer was built for the Equine Medical Center by Merhow Industries of Bristol, Ind. It is equipped with a winch that powers a sled, sling and hoist assembly capable of loading an incapacitated animal into the ambulance. Taller and wider than the stock model trailer, the EMC ambu- lance also includes extra padding and a special ventilation system.

Three teams of volunteers are be- ing assembled to operate the ambu- lance service during the estimated 24 area races scheduled during the 1997 season, according to Dr. G. Frederick Fregin, EMC hospital director.

The equine ambulance has been acquired to service races and other events, Fregin said. The Center has not established an emergency ambulance service for farms.

In acquiring the ambulance, the Equine Medical Center assumes respon- sibility for a service which has been provided for the local horse commu-

nity by Gould Brittle for decades. Gifts from the Great Meadows

Foundation, the Westmoreland Davis Memoria l Foundat ion, and the Ohrstrom Foundation helped finance the acquisition. Funds raised for the EMC during the"Roundup at Rutledge" and a polo match benefit held at Potomac Polo were also used.

Established in 1984 with gifts from the late Marion duPont Scott and the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foun- dation, the EMC is an advanced-care referral hospital for horses. Owned by Virginia Tech, the EMC serves as one of three campuses operated by the Vir- ginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. From: Virginia Tech NEWS.

INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL HEALTH CODE MAMMALS,

BIRDS AND BEES SIXTH EDITION - 1992 (AND

1993-1996 UPDATE)

The aim of the International Ani- mal Health Code is to facilitate inter- national trade in animals and products of animal origin by precisely defining the animal health conditions to be ful- filled in order to avoid the risk of trans- mitting infectious diseases of animals from one country to another.

This book of standards, compiled with the assistance of leading experts, has been approved by Chief Veterinary Officers of the 144 OIE Member Coun- tries.

Part 1 presents definitions of the terms used, procedures for notifying diseases of animals at the international

level, ethical rules for international trade and certification, the principles of im- port risk analysis and the organization of import and export procedures.

Part 2 outlines (for each disease regarded by the OIE as important for international trade), the animal health conditions which a country should ful- fill, depending on the diseases present, before exporting live animals, semen, embryos, meat and milk products.

Appendices describe the diagnos- tic tests to be applied for the purpose of international trade, thus establishing a link with the OIE Manual of Standards for Diagnostie Tests and Vaccines. The basis for health and hygiene supervi- sion is also provided, with special ref- erence to reproduction, methods of de- stroying pathogens and insect vectors, and specific recommendations for pro- tecting animals transported by air.

The final section of the book gives specimen international certificates ap- proved by the OIE, and the two lists of diseases classified by the OIE (Lists A and B).

The International Animal Health Code is an indispensable reference document for all those responsible for international trade in animals and ani- mal products.

The seventh Edition of the Code is due to be published in December 1998.

ISBN92-9044-3 15-4. Format: 15.5 x 23.5 cm. 550 pages. Price*: FRF700 / $US 140. *Please add airmail P&P charges. From: Office International des Epizooties, World Organization for Animal Health, 12, Rue Deprony, 75017 Paris, France. TeL: 33 - (0)1 44 15 18 88. Fax: 33 - (0) 1 42 67 09 87. e-mail: 100765. 546 @ compuserve, com

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