In the United States, the primary responsibility for protection against foreign animal diseases is assigned to:

• A. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) with states and industry as part of the partnership
• B. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) with states and industry as part of the partnership
• C. Individual state agencies along with industry and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• D. The National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Answer: (A)

Protection against foreign animal diseases in the United States is led by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, working in partnership with state animal health authorities and the livestock industry. APHIS coordinates national surveillance, disease reporting, and emergency response, with states handling local implementation and industry helping with compliance and rapid notification. The NVSL serves as the diagnostic arm supporting confirmation and reference testing, but the overall responsibility sits with APHIS and its state/industry partners. The OIE is an international body that sets standards and facilitates global reporting, not the U.S. lead agency, and DHS involvement is focused on border security and federal coordination rather than leading domestic protection.