An outbreak of a disease on any livestock farm can cause production losses, loss of animals for sale and extra expenses from veterinary services, quarantine, and/or costs of sanitation and disinfection.
BIOPROTEXION can be defined as any procedure or practice which will prevent or limit the exposure of a flock to disease or the overall practices and protocols designed to keep disease off the farm. It involves many procedures which are considered “common sense” but which are often overlooked or only carelessly or sporadically followed.
BIOPROTEXION measures should be a part of the daily management routine and in essence are part of the best management practices designed to enhance farm profitability.
The first step in developing a BIOPROTEXION program is to assess the “on farm” risks of disease. This assessment should be made in consultation with the hygiene consultant. The BIOPROTEXION program must be adjusted to the individual farm since each farm is slightly different from other farms. However, there are certain BIOPROTEXION practices that should be done on any farm.
A BIOPROTEXION program needs to address two areas the farm facilities and the farm managerial routines. The physical farm itself is the area that is the most difficult and/or costly to change in a BIOPROTEXION program. Ideally, the farm should be constructed as isolated from other animal facilities as is possible. The on site farm buildings should be located as far away as is possible from the main roadway. The farm should also have a traffic flow route to direct all traffic to minimize risk to the animals.
The second component of BIOPROTEXION program, the farm managerial or operational routines, is directed at controlling the sources of disease. These routines are the easiest, quickest, and least costly to change during a disease outbreak and can have the greatest impact on disease prevention.
Visitors
Visitors to farms are unfortunately a necessary part of operating a farm; these visitors can be veterinarians, livestock specialists, family members, other livestock owners, utility personnel, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to restrict access to only necessary authorized personnel. Minimal BIOPROTEXION measures include:
No contact with farm livestock unless absolutely necessary,
Parking of vehicles away from the production area of the farm on a paved, gravel, or concrete area and
Write visits in the visitor register
Visitors should wear coveralls and boots if there will be any contact with animals, animal wastes, feeds, pens, and or equipment in addition to the same things as low risk visitors.
Visitors must wash their hands and disinfect their boots before and after entering the premises.
Vehicles
The greatest threat to BIOPROTEXION is from traffic to and from the farm which may inadvertently carry a disease organism onto the farm.
Ideally, there should be only on farm entrance that can be gated or closed off to discourage and prevent visitors and traffic. Vehicles should not be allowed on the farm unless absolutely necessary. All vehicles should be parked on an area of concrete, asphalt, etc. so the wheels and undercarriage can be properly cleaned and disinfected and there is minimal contact with dirt, mud, farm drainage, and/or animal wastes.
Ideally, all vehicles should be cleaned and disinfected before arrival at and upon leaving a farm.
Boots
The use of a footbath should also be considered as part of the farm BIOPROTEXION plan. A footbath containing a disinfectant may help reduce tracking of organisms via footwear.
The footbath should be in a suitable container that is water tight and large enough to allow at least one foot to be placed entirely in it. The footbath is far more effective if there is some means to remove debris from the footwear before use of the footbath since many disinfectants are rendered ineffective if contaminated with organic matter such as manure. It is important to be sure and locates the footbath where it is easily accessible and practical for use. It is best to have a footbath at the entrance to each pen, or building.
It is very important to properly maintain the disinfectant solutions by cleaning and recharging at least weekly or more often if used frequently. Remember a footbath that is improperly used or not used at all is useless and may hinder a BIOPROTEXION program by giving a false sense of security.
Farm equipment
Farm equipment should not be loaned to other farms if at all possible. Ideally equipment belongs to a barn or a compartment. If this is not possible the equipment should be thoroughly cleaned and properly disinfected before returning to the farm or before use with other animals. When cleaning and disinfecting equipment, rubber boots etc, remember disinfectants do not work when applied to organic matter. Always remove the dirt or manure first with soap and water, and then disinfect the item.
Employees
Clean clothing (coveralls) and boots that can be disposed of or adequately disinfected should be provided for all personnel entering the poultry farm.
A traffic flow pattern should be. It is always best (because of differences in immunity and susceptibility) to visit the youngest animals first then progress age-wise to the oldest. All quarantined and/or sick animals should be checked last.
Dry sows ® Farrowing sows ® Piglets ® Finishers ® Quarantine/Sick pigs
Vermin
Since rodents contaminate and consume feed and water, spread many diseases, and destroy and/or damage equipment all buildings should be rodent proofed. In addition, the area around a animal house and farm should be cleaned to prevent rodent infestation and all spilled feed should be cleared away as soon as possible.
Contaminated Water, Feed, and Air
It is important to not use water and feed that is possibly contaminated. Treatment of water and cleaning of water systems will assist in the prevention of disease. Do not water animals from outside sources such as a pond without proper disinfection of the water. Ponds can be contaminated from wild animals with numerous pathogens.
Conclusion
BIOPROTEXION is one of the most important tools to use in the prevention of disease. Proper BIOPROTEXION procedures are an essential aspect of on farm food safety programs which keep food products wholesome and high in quality as well as protect consumers so that consumer demand and ultimately profitability are protected. In addition, healthier are more productive animals will lead to higher benefits for the farmer. A BIOPROTEXION program should be an integral part of farm disease prevention practices and should be flexible to allow changes as needed. Constant vigilance and common sense can pay big dividends in the reduction of mortality and other losses from disease. Prevention of disease is always less costly than treatment, control, and/or salvage
