Biosecurity

Never mix animals together without considering the possible disease risks

• A disinfectant footbath, brush and separate over-clothes should be provided at the entrance to the quarantine building.
• Quarantined animals should be fed, watered and inspected last, followed by hand-washing where possible.
• Diagnosis is critical to effective disease control and many key diseases now have sensitive diagnostic tests and/or preventative vaccines available. Any testing and vaccination programmes are best discussed with your vet and included in interactive health plans to ensure timely and accurate application.
• Check and test animals for disease and treat if necessary: For the individual farmer, quarantine treatments have an economic benefit as any required treatments are confined to a small group of animals rather than a whole flock or herd.
• Good environmental hygiene, such as clean, disinfected premises, equipment and personnel is very important in the prevention and control of disease. Different diseases may require particular disinfectants therefore it is critical you select the correct disinfectant. Poor hygiene and environmental conditions lead to increased risk of infection. Strive to improve standards in animal buildings and in feed storage areas.
• Develop pro-active strategies for disease prevention rather than adopting a reactive approach. Discuss the development of health plans, disease surveillance programmes and disease response strategies with your vet on a regular basis. Interactive health plans are crucial and allow both vet and farmer to work remotely on the same document ensuring regular updating and checking.
• Farm security is critical for disease control: Examine ways in which you can improve farm security to prevent animals or people from inadvertently bringing diseases in. Focus on farm boundaries such as fencing, farm entry and exit points and farm buildings.
• Zoonotic pathogens may be transmitted between livestock and people and some of these pathogens can cause disease in both animals and people, while others may be more of a public health risk eg: food and water-borne pathogens. Application of targeted biosecurity interventions will help to reduce pathogen transmission and protect animal, public and environmental health.