What best describes a foreign animal disease diagnostician (FADD)?

• A. A veterinary assistant in charge of routine examinations
• B. A public health nurse
• C. A veterinarian who has received special training in identification, sampling, submission, and investigation of foreign animal diseases
• D. A general practitioner with no FAD training

Answer: (C)

A foreign animal disease diagnostician is a veterinarian who has received specialized training in identifying, sampling, submitting, and investigating foreign animal diseases. This role is built for rapid, accurate detection and response to diseases not currently present in the country, guiding how samples are collected safely, how they are sent to designated laboratories with proper chain-of-custody, and how investigations are conducted to trace sources and control spread. The emphasis is on veterinary expertise combined with specific procedures for FAD identification and response. Other roles described lack this focused training and scope: a veterinary assistant handles routine tasks, a public health nurse works in human health, and a general practitioner without FAD training wouldn’t have the specialized skills needed for FAD identification, sampling, submission, and investigation.