We can learn a lot from practical biosecurity protocols used by swine veterinarians and their clients. The approaches practiced in swine production apply across species as we expand our thinking about zoonoses and One Health.
Biosecurity must be a mindset and lifestyle. . . it must be ingrained and adhered to, and we also need to trust all employees to do the right thing even when no one is watching. . .“ Wesley Lyons, DVM
Source: National Hog Farmer, October 2019, page 34. Link. Wesley Lyons, DVM shares practical biosecurity steps that work:
- Downtime is your friend
- Danish entries are necessary
- Wash your truck
- You can’t disinfect a turd, but disinfectants work
- Establish a clean/dirty line
INSIGHTS: Cross contamination has been a significant issue and cost in managing healthy swine herds. Its tenants apply to stables, milking parlors, loafing pens and feedlots. Exam rooms, surgery suites, kennels and hospital cages benefit from it, too.. It is important that animal health pros share biosecurity measures across species and facility settings to advance and use what has already been learned.