Survey of Biosecurity Practices Utilized by Veterinarians Working with Farm Animal Species

Abstract

the introduction of disease. 2 When infectious disease is present on a farm or in a region, the term “biocontainment” may be used to describe programs aimed at confinement of the diseases to that farm or region such that it does not spread to other farms. Veterinarians are intimately involved in the maintenance of health and in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. When confronting an ongoing disease diagnosis and treatment situation, biocontainment can be readily implemented because the effects are apparent. However, when working to maintain a healthy herd, biosecurity practices may be more challenging to enforce because the threat is neither apparent nor seems eminent. An additional perspective on biosecurity relates to zoonotic diseases. Animal handlers and veterinarians are at risk for disease transmission from the animal to humans as part of their normal daily work habits. 3 This chronic and persistent exposure may lead to complacency regarding risk if the people involved have never knowingly suffered disease. Thus, biosecurity can be a challenging concept for farm managers and veterinarians to apply in field settings. Veterinarians are challenged with different scenarios regarding their role in the treatment and prevention of disease. Veterinary practices having haul-in facilities with the option of hospitalization of livestock present different challenges as compared with veterinarians and vehicles traveling to farms for on-site procedures. Veterinary hospitals serve to concentrate sick or injured animals, pose risk of inter-species disease exposure, and present a greater burden on personnel to practice optimal hygiene and disinfection protocols. 4, 5 The veterinary hospital serves as the point source for interaction of multiple livestock operations. Veterinarians performing on-farm services have different challenges for biosecurity protocols because the vehicle, equipment, and practice personnel are the potential point sources of transmission of disease from one livestock operation to another. Veterinary practices that serve fewer, larger clients are less likely to act as a vehicle for transmission because they are less likely to visit more