By Elizabeth Ferry and Michael Metzger et.al
The prevention and control of livestock disease outbreaks is a shared concern across agricultural communities, especially those who visit farms regularly (e.g., Extension personnel, consultants, inspectors, delivery personnel and veterinarians). Employing biosecurity practices that reduce the risk of disease transmission helps protect farms and animals from viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other pathogens. This is especially critical when highly-consequential diseases such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) are present and with the potential threat of African Swine Fever (ASF), or Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) spreading from other countries.
Diseases can spread in many ways: including direct contact from animal to animal, human to animal, indirect contact with fomites such as tools, equipment, footwear, clothing and vehicles and through aerosol droplets. Negative outcomes from clinical disease outbreaks include illness in people and animals, animal death, and loss of farm revenue.