Prevention of the entry of diseases into a herd is a key component of a herd health management plan, says the National Pork Board (NPB). “A biosecurity plan typically includes barn and transportation sanitation, rodent control, worker and visitor entry policies and other general farm security measures,” the organization says. “If a disease is already present in one or more segments of the herd, biosecurity can help prevent that disease from spreading to other segments. However, all biosecurity measures should be focused on the prevention of the entry of disease.”
Biosecurity is described as a combination of management practices designed to prevent the introduction and transmission of diseases and disease-causing agents into a herd. It includes:
• Minimizing disease transmission
• Monitoring transportation
• Using lines of separation
• Control of wildlife, rodents and pests
• Proper sanitation
It’s imperative that you work with your farm staff to ensure these practices are done properly. First and foremost, communicate the reasons why these management procedures are important, including the ramifications of a biosecurity breach (loss of animals, jobs and income).
Employees need to be part of the process so they understand the importance of good biosecurity, says Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt, DVM, a professor at the University of Montreal in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada.
To learn more about sound biosecurity practices, go here.
Photo courtesy of the National Pork Board, Des Moines, Iowa.
