09/07/2023
Biosecurity
What is biosecurity?
Biosecurity - reduces/prevents the introduction of new diseases onto your farm from other farms.
Biocontainment - reduces/prevents the movement/spread of infectious diseases once they enter your farm.
Biosecurity is your first line defence which prevents new diseases entering your farm; biocontainment measures aim to limit the spread of disease within your herd and hence financial losses following introduction of disease onto your farm once biosecurity has been breached.
Disease Spread
Infectious diseases can be introduced onto your farm by:
The introduction of diseased animals
The introduction of animals incubating disease
Introduction of apparently healthy animals that have recovered from disease but are now carriers
Vehicles, equipment, clothing and footwear of people (veterinarians, contractors, other farmers, salesmen, service personnel) who move between herds
Feedstuffs, especially high risk feedstuff which could be contaminated with faeces
Contaminated water (surface water, streams and rivers etc.);
Manure handling especially by outside contractors and aerosolized manure and dust
Other species such dogs, cats, wildlife, rodents, birds and insects.
Biosecurity principles
Biosecurity measures aim to reduce/prevent the introduction of new diseases onto a farm from outside sources. Biosecurity control has four major components:
1. Selection of purchased animals (if not closed herd)
2. Isolation following purchase,
3. Movement control
4. Sanitation.
The Key Principles of Biosecurity
Select all necessary purchased animals from known sources and health status equal to or higher than your own to reduce the risk of infection.
Strict isolation prevents contact between animals after arrival on farm and reduces the risk of spread of infectious agents.
Movement control includes all vehicle, animals, and people traffic that could introduce infection onto your farm.
Sanitation addresses the disinfection of materials, people and equipment entering the farm and the cleanliness of the people and equipment on the farm.
