After an international foreign animal disease outbreak, under what condition may international trade resume?

• A. After all the OIE standards for the disease are met.
• B. After USDA-APHIS standards for the disease are met.
• C. After no new clinical cases have been identified for 30 days.
• D. After USDA-APHIS notifies the OIE member countries.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that when international trade can resume after a foreign animal disease outbreak is determined by the domestic authority’s criteria for disease status. In the United States, that means APHIS standards. Once APHIS has evaluated the situation, confirmed that the disease is controlled or eradicated under its published risk-mitigation and surveillance measures, and issued an official determination, trade can resume with other countries. The international framework provided by the OIE guides reporting and harmonization, but it is APHIS that certifies the country’s status. Merely waiting a fixed time with no new clinical cases or receiving a notice to the OIE does not automatically restore trade.