Excerpts from the report Foreword: This is the fifth annual report produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on the Nation’s animal health status. This publication highlights APHIS Veterinary Services’ (VS) programs, events, and initiatives aimed at maintaining healthy livestock, poultry, and aquaculture populations. In addition, the report reviews key epidemiological developments of 2008 and provides an overview of our animal health surveillance activities, as well as our emergency planning, preparedness, and monitoring efforts. We also include an informative summary of the U.S. livestock, poultry, and aquaculture industries.