Biosecurity and Environmental Monitoring

• What is the main focus of biosecurity?

  Prevent transmission of infectious diseases
• How should new graduates approach biosecurity protocols?

  Develop bespoke protocols tailored to situations
• What does biosecurity protect against according to the Oxford English Dictionary?

  Incursion of harmful organisms
• What is a key component of biosecurity definitions?

  Management and physical measures to reduce disease risk
• What should herd health plans include?

  Dynamic biosecurity measures
• What should be followed in the event of a notifiable disease?

  Guidance from DEFRA
• What are possible routes of disease transmission ON a farm?

  • Fence boundaries/common grazing
  • Markets/shows
  • Hire bulls
  • Incoming stock
  • Infected faeces
  • Farm cats/dogs
  • Wildlife/vermin
• What are possible routes of disease transmission OFF a farm?

  • Animals (dairy calves, livery horses)
  • Produce (milk, crops)
  • Slurry/manure
• What are possible routes for the spread of disease WITHIN a farm?

  • Shared airspace
  • Shared grazing
  • Drainage
  • Vermin/wildlife
  • Shared equipment
  • Stockman/farmer
  • Feeding waste milk
• What are some biosecurity measures for animal-to-animal transmission?

  • Quarantine and testing of incoming stock
  • Fencing
  • Vaccination
  • Pest/wildlife control
  • Maintain a closed herd
• What are biosecurity measures for vectors and fomites?

  • Gates and barriers
  • Visitor books
  • Showers
  • Effective PPE
  • Foot dips
  • Clean vehicles
• What are biosecurity measures for bio-containment within a farm?

  • Isolation of sick animals
  • Avoid mixing stock
  • Low stocking density
  • Good drainage and bedding management
  • Vaccination
• What steps are involved in a biosecurity audit and environmental monitoring?

  • Assess existing diseases
  • Evaluate site design and materials
  • Check existing biosecurity SOPs
  • Visual and microbiological cleanliness assessment
• What types of samples may be taken during environmental monitoring?

  • Bacteria (e.g., Salmonella, E.coli)
  • Parasites (e.g., mites, coccidia)
  • Insect vectors (e.g., litter beetles)
  • Yeasts/moulds/mycotoxins
• What is the acceptable level of Salmonella in layer flocks?

  0
• What happens if layer flocks test positive for certain Salmonella strains?

  Eggs can't be sold as grade A
• What are the five basic steps of cleaning and disinfection (C&D)?

  1. Remove organic matter
  2. Use detergent
  3. Clean
  4. Dry
  5. Disinfect
• Why is it important to remove organic matter before disinfection?

  It can denature some disinfectants
• What is the correct method for disinfecting surfaces?

  Use pathogen-specific disinfectant at correct dilution
• What should be considered when using disinfectants?

  • Environmental impact
  • Health and safety
• What are the learning objectives of biosecurity and environmental monitoring?

  • Define biosecurity
  • Recognize infection pathways
  • Suggest biosecurity measures
  • Recall audit principles
  • Recall cleaning and disinfection principles