B76
Biosecurity

Introduction: Biosecurity by definition means to create an environment where infectious diseases are removed and prevented from spreading. A failure or "break" in biosecurity can result in disease, decreased production, death, and ultimately profit loss. In general, adequate biosecurity can be accomplished when two major categories are understood and then addressed. These categories and appropriate subcategories are listed below:

1. Remove the source or potential host for the infectious disease by:
   1. Maintaining a closed flock/herd or carefully monitoring new additions to the flock/herd.
   2. Maintaining a superior lamb/kid management program.
   3. Developing a written and consistent flock/herd vaccination, de-worming, and parasite control program. This will help prevent any outside source of infection from entering the group.
   4. Controlling the amount of stress placed on each animal.
   5. Providing adequate nutrition and water for the various stages of production and growth.
      
      
2. Prevent the spread of infectious disease by:
   1. Using proper disinfection, sanitation, and handling techniques with potentially infectious areas, equipment, or animals.
   2. Controlling the access that people, vehicles, rodents, and other animals have to the flock/herd.
   3. Utilizing artificial insemination (A.I.) instead of natural service.
   4. Monitoring access to livestock during shows, fairs, etc.

1. Maintain a Closed Flock/Herd:
   1. To prevent new diseases from entering a flock/herd, it is highly recommended to maintain a closed flock/herd. A closed flock/herd is one that does not receive any replacement animals from an outside source. Replacement animals (ewes, rams, does, and bucks) are raised directly on the farm or ranch.
   2. If it is not possible to maintain a closed flock/herd, certain precautions are essential:
      1. Replacement animals should be purchased before they reach sexual maturity.
      2. All new animals should be examined by a veterinarian for any signs of infectious disease. Examinations and tests should be done to ensure that the animal is free of Brucella ovis, ovine progressive pneumonia (OPP), caseous lymphadenitis, etc.
      3. All new animals should be placed in an isolation pen/pasture for 3-4 weeks. During this time the animal should be examined for signs of disease. This may involve taking the temperature, listening to the lungs, drawing blood samples for testing, and observing the general attitude of the animal. If no signs of disease have occurred after the 3-4 weeks of isolation, the animal can be placed with the other animals in the flock/herd.
         
         
2. Management of Newborn Animals:
   1. All pregnant animals should be moved to a maternity pen/pasture prior to giving birth. This area should be designed for giving birth and should be used for only this purpose. This area should be clean, dry, and have the necessary climate control elements (wind breaks, shelters, etc.) to avoid temperature extremes. All animals should be removed from this area after giving birth.
   2. All newborns should have their first suckle within 30 minutes post-partum, and no later than 12 hours post-partum. After 12 hours, the stomach of the lamb/kid changes and allows less and less antibody absorption. The newborn should consume at least 25 mLs of colostrum per pound of body weight at three different times in the first day of life. For additional suggestions see page B520. Most newborns left with the mother can receive sufficient colostrum from nursing. In these situations, cleanliness of the mother (udder, legs, tail, etc.) and surrounding environment are critical. However, some newborns may require colostrum that is force fed. This is important in situations where the mother has poor colostrum (a first time mother) or has an infectious disease that can be shed in the milk. Force feeding colostrum is also necessary when the newborn is too weak to nurse on its own. See page C854 for information on how to safely tube feed a newborn.
   3. Each newborn should have the navel dipped immediately after birth. Povidone iodine (betadine) is recommended and can be administered by submerging the remaining umbilical cord up to the navel in the iodine. See page C156 for instructions on dipping navels.
   4. A vaccination program should be in place for the entire flock/herd. For vaccination recommendations, refer to page B905.
      
      
3. Vaccination, De-worming, and Parasite Control Programs:
   1. These programs should address the diseases and parasite problems that are commonly found in the area or on the ranch.
   2. These programs should be developed under the direction of a local veterinarian and should be modified as needed every 6 months.
   3. Each program should have specific protocols for each age and type of animal. The information should be written down and followed exactly. The programs should identify what products are used, how they are administered, and how often they are given.
      
      
   * For additional information on handling vaccines, and developing a vaccination or de-worming program, refer to pages B900, B905, and B620 respectively.
   
   
4. Reducing Stress - Stress comes in many different forms for an animal. Stress in an animal can come from an internal source (sickness, poor nutrition, etc.) or an outside source (hot and cold extremes, overcrowding, etc.). Any stress will cause the animal’s internal disease defenses (immune system) to malfunction. This renders the animal more susceptible to disease and infection. Many of the internal causes of stress have been or will be addressed in other areas of this discussion. The following will identify the major causes of stress from an outside source and suggest some recommendations:
   1. Avoid heat stress by:
      1. Providing adequate fresh, cool drinking water.
      2. Providing plenty of shade. Placing shade over feeding areas and troughs will increase consumption during the hotter times of the day.
   2. Avoid cold stress by:
      1. Providing sufficient wind breaks and shelter as the environment dictates. This is particularly important during kidding and lambing times when the newborn is extremely susceptible to exposure.
   3. Minimize stressful events by:
      1. Not performing several stressful procedures (moving pastures, shipping, vaccinating, castrating, etc.) at the same time.
      2. Handling the animals in a calm and quiet manner. Excessive yelling, kicking, and prodding only compounds the amount of stress placed on the animal.
         
         
5. Provide Proper Nutrition and Plenty of Clean, Fresh Water:
   1. A nutritionist familiar with the particular ranch and grazing environment should be utilized for help in nutritional decisions.
   2. Basic nutrition information can be found on page B575.

1. Disinfectants, sanitation, and proper handling techniques when dealing with potentially infectious areas, equipment, and animals:
   1. Some of the common disinfectants include chlorhexidine (Nolvasan), betadine (iodine), and bleach (Clorox). Each of these solutions should be diluted before use. Equipment such as pullers, chains, tube feeders, overboots, etc. should be soaked in one of these products for at least 10 minutes before use. These products are generally effective against most bacteria and viruses.
   2. When using a piece of equipment on multiple animals, always sterilize the equipment before moving to the next animal. This is particularly important when treating any animal with an infectious disease. Coveralls, boots, gloves, and all equipment should be cleaned immediately after use. The slightest contamination (feces, saliva, etc.) on any item can spread disease to another animal. For cleaning smaller equipment, chlorhexidine is the product most often recommended.
   3. When handling any animal with diarrhea (scours) or pneumonia, the use of latex gloves is highly recommended.
   4. All birthing areas, chutes, etc. should be kept clean, manure free, and as dry as possible.
   5. If an animal has died from a potentially infectious disease, the body should be kept in an area isolated from other animals (including scavengers) until it can be disposed of properly.
      
      
2. Controlling General Access to Livestock - Vehicles, humans, rodents, and other animal species can bring many infectious diseases onto a farm or ranch. It is critical that access to the flock/herd be limited to those people and vehicles that are essential. It is not uncommon to have a veterinarian or feed supplier wash their boots and even truck tires before they enter a farm. When outside people access livestock areas and when owners and managers visit other livestock facilities, the following are a must:

   Minimum Biosecurity Measures:

   1. Avoid livestock areas, pens, barns, etc., unless it is necessary to complete the goal of the visit.
   2. Avoid contact with dirt, mud, or feces. Park all vehicles on paved or concrete locations that are away from all animal production areas. If this is not possible, all tires should be completely free of debris before entering and upon leaving the premises. This can be accomplished by hosing the tires/wheel wells and scrubbing them with a brush and detergent. A pressure car wash is also very effective.
   3. Wash hands and boots with detergent and water before entering and after leaving the livestock areas on the premises.
   4. Coveralls, latex gloves, and rubber overshoes may be required if direct contact will be made with any livestock or livestock areas. Once used, these coveralls, gloves, and boots should be placed in a bag labeled contaminated and properly disposed of or cleaned. Rubber boots should be scrubbed on both top and bottom with a disinfectant solution.
   
   The following table lists some of the common disinfectants that can be used to kill most bacteria and viruses:
   

   Product	Mixing Instructions	Final Dilutions
   Chlorhexidine   (Nolvasan)	Follow label directions	Varies
   Acetic acid (vinegar)	Add 4.6 ounces (138 mLs or 1/2 cup) of acetic acid to 1 gallon of water - then mix thoroughly	4%
   Bleach	Add 3 gallons of bleach to 2 gallons of water - then mix thoroughly	3%
   Virkon-S (Antec)	Follow label directions	1%

   
   
   
3. Artificial Insemination (A.I.) vs. Natural Service:
   A.I. breeding will help reduce the chance of spreading some diseases if proper insemination techniques are followed.
   
   
4. Whenever large groups of animals and people are in one location, the chance of spreading disease increases dramatically. It is important to understand that people can spread infectious diseases from one animal to another through contaminated shoes, hands, brushes, halters, etc. The following are suggestions for organizers and those that participate in shows or fairs where large numbers of animals and people interact:
   1. Implement and practice effective biosecurity measures at the event site as outlined above under the information on minimum biosecurity measures.
   2. Veterinary exams of all animals participating or being shown in the event should be required.
   3. All international travelers who have returned within the last 5 days should avoid animal exhibits and any other interaction with animals at the event.
   4. Discourage visitors (through the use of fencing, signs, and monitors) from touching or petting exhibited animals, except at designated petting areas.
   5. Prohibit the public from eating and drinking in animal exhibit areas.
   6. Prohibit and prevent the public from feeding human food to animals.
   7. Throughout the duration of the event, have a veterinarian routinely examine the animals for clinical signs of disease.
   8. Advise producers and owners to isolate their animals for a minimum of 5 days after the event. Have the owners review the recommendations on maintaining a closed flock/herd discussed above, and consult with their veterinarian on the proper ways of reintroducing the animals into established flocks/herds.