Biosecurity for official veterinarians

When conducting an investigation on an infected premises, it is vital steps are taken to minimise the risk of onward transmission.

Improper treatment of clothing, equipment and vehicles can lead to the spread of highly infectious diseases. These include Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). 

The following steps must be taken by officials when visiting an infected premises or a premises located within a declared zone. 

• You will be required to report to the Gate Officer. They will grant access and record the movement of people, vehicles and equipment on and off the premises. 
• You must ensure your clothing, equipment and vehicle are appropriate for your assigned task. They must be free from visible signs of contamination. This must be done before any contact with livestock is made to minimise the risk of transmitting disease between premises.
• The individual biosecurity measures of the premises must be respected to protect the owners and their livestock. These measures should be reasonable. They should not affect your ability to conduct a satisfactory investigation.
• Clean and disinfect all clothing, equipment and footwear before leaving the farm premises. Alternatively, these may be disposed of safely off premises.
• You must carry enough approved disinfectant for your visit. The Animals (Approved Disinfectants) Order lists the approved disinfectants. The correct dilution of disinfectant must be used as directed by the approved list. 
• Equipment used as part of your visit must be kept in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Disposable equipment (e.g. syringes) must be treated as pharmaceutical waste.