1. (1) Elephant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) Categories. Elephants are placed into one of three (3) categories depending on their risk of being positive for Mtb as classified in the Recommendations for the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management of Tuberculosis (Mycobacteria tuberculosis) in Elephants in Human Care (2017). Recommendations for the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management of Tuberculosis (Mycobacteria tuberculosis) in Elephants in Human Care (2017) is hereby incorporated by reference and available online at HYPERLINK "http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10889" http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10889. The three (3) Mtb catagories are:

   1. (a) Category A: Elephants have had no known exposure to an Mtb culture-positive animal within the past five (5) years. They are also consistently negative by an annual Triple Trunk Wash (TW) technique.
   2. (b) Category B: Elephants have had contact with an Mtb positive animal within the past five (5) years, but are themselves consistently negative by annual triple TW series technique.
   3. (c) Category C: Elephants are positive on TW cultures or culture of other body fluid. These animals cannot travel except for specific medical reasons. They are considered infected with Mtb.

2. (2) Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (OCVI) required. Only Category A and B elephants are permitted to be Imported into Florida and must be accompanied by an OCVI. The OCVI must include the following:

   1. (a) The animal’s name, age, sex, any identifying marks, and microchip number, if applicable;
   2. (b) The animal’s Mtb category; and

   3. (c) The most recent TW culture history to include:

      1. The date the TW sample was taken;

      2. The full name of the testing laboratory;

      3. Test accession number; and

      4. Test result.

3. (3) Test Requirements

   1. (a) Category A animals require proof of a negative TW culture with the sample taken within twelve (12) months of Importation into Florida.
   2. (b) Category B animals require proof of a negative TW culture with the sample taken within ninety (90) days of Importation into Florida.

Rulemaking Authority 570.07(23), 585.002(4), 585.08(2) FS. Law Implemented 570.07(15), 570.36(2), 585.08(1), (2)(a), 585.145(1), (2), 585.16 FS. History–New 8-19-19.