One of the best ways to protect your animals, whether pets, livestock or poultry, from getting sick is to practice good biosecurity.
Biosecurity is the practice of controlling infectious disease, and it refers to everything done to keep diseases and the germs that cause them (viruses, bacteria, funguses, parasites and other organisms) away from your animals, property, and the people that may interact with them.
This is very important whether your animals are on your farm, moving from one production site to another, going to auction, or participating in a show or event. There are many levels of biosecurity starting from something as small as washing your hands to as large as shower- in shower-out facilities at large commercial production facilities.
Biosecurity not only protects you and your animals, it also protects your neighbors, employees, and in the case of livestock and poultry, your consumers. This makes it the responsibility of all animal owners to keep their animals safe and disease-free.
To protect your animals from diseases or harmful agents, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) recommends writing and carrying-out your own specific biosecurity plan. Each individual farm, ranch, or facility will have a different biosecurity plan depending on their individual needs; however it is never too early to start implementing basic measures.
Poultry Biosecurity
For more information specific to poultry biosecurity and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI, or bird flu), please visit the avian influenza information page.
Biosecurity Guidelines
Expertise
Have a good Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship
No matter what animals you have, it is important to have a relationship with a veterinarian. Veterinarians have the subject matter expertise and they care about your animals. Veterinarians can help you start a biosecurity plan, just ask them!
Regular Care
Implement regular preventative veterinary care, such as vaccines, anti-parasitics, etc
Speak to your veterinarian about what you can do to protect your animals. Discuss with your veterinarian about what risks are in your area or could come to your area, and how they can be prevented or minimized.
Stop Wildlife
Reduce exposure to wildlife and feral animals
Rodents, wild birds, raccoons, stray cats and dogs, and other wild animals can transmit diseases to your animals. The facility or housing where you keep your animals should stop wildlife from coming into direct contact with your animals.
Safe Feed
Feed properly prepared foods
Feed not correctly prepared can make animals sick. Animal owners are responsible for ensuring their animals are eating safe and nutritious foods, using FDA-approved feeds or ensuring any food by-products or food ingredients arriving at their facility are from a reputable source. Store feed in a way that keeps wildlife (e.g., rodents) out of it.
Vector Control
Reduce exposure to insects
Insects (flies, ticks, mosquitoes, etc.) can give your animals diseases. The facility or housing where you keep your animals should stop these pests from your animals. When this is not possible, speak with your veterinarian about what you can do to protect your animals from these pests.
Due to fluctuating temperatures year-round, you may need vector control year round in Colorado.
Limit Visitors
Control and monitor people’s access to your facility
People can unknowingly carry diseases on their bodies or clothing. Do not allow anyone that was recently in a country where Foreign Animal Diseases are present to have contact with your livestock or poultry for at least five days after they return to the United States. Do not allow anyone to wear any clothing (including footwear) around your livestock or poultry they wore outside the United States.
Educate
Ensure everyone at your facility understands biosecurity
Anyone regularly interacting with your animals, including family members, should have proper training on how to “cleanly” enter animal housing areas. For some facilities (such as swine or poultry facilities) this may mean completely showering-in and showering-out. For other livestock facilities this may mean changing outerwear, foot baths, and/or using disposable boot covers (aka booties).
Stop Horizontal Transmission
Control movement onto and off your facility with “clean” and “dirty” lines
The normal “ins” and “outs” for your facility can bring diseases to your animals. This can include “dirty” trucks accidentally carrying germs to your facility as they come and go during part of the normal business day (e.g., delivering feed, removing dead animals, bringing replacement animals, etc.). Reduce this risk by clearly establishing “clean” and “dirty” areas where these vehicles are and are not allowed. Livestock and poultry facilities can further reduce this risk by having vehicles go through cleaning stations before coming on and/or exiting the premises.
Proper Disposal
Properly remove dead animals and animal waste
Dead animals and animal waste should be removed from areas housing live animals as quickly as possible. Remove them using a separate entrance/exit from the one used to bring live animals into the facility.
Dispose of dead animals where wildlife cannot feed on them.
Cleaning and Disinfection
Maintain a clean environment
When cleaning areas that house your animals remember the saying, “you can’t disinfect dirt.” This means you must clean before disinfecting. Most disinfectants do not work in the presence of organic materials like dirt, dust, and animal wastes. Different disinfectants require different minimum contact times to work and longer times in cold temperatures. Follow the instructions on the label for the disinfectant you are using. Work with your veterinarian to develop the most effective cleaning and disinfection (sometimes called decontamination by first responders) protocol for you.