Animal Health
Biosecurity
Biosecurity is a management tool used to prevent, limit, and control infectious disease. Practicing good biosecurity is one of the most effective ways to keep animals and humans healthy and reduce the risk of disease.
The key biosecurity concepts to follow are:
- Keep disease out
- Stop disease spread
- Contain disease as fast as possible
A few examples of these concepts include following import rules, routinely cleaning and disinfecting animal areas, keeping pests out, limiting visitors, and isolating sick or new animals. These practices are important in every setting, whether animals remain at home, attend shows or fairs, or go to a sale.
Strong biosecurity benefits more than just your own animals. It helps protect other farms, employees, visitors, and consumers who rely on healthy food animals. Every animal owner plays an important role in maintaining effective biosecurity.
To improve biosecurity on your farm or at a facility, use the following resources to learn more about key concepts and develop a biosecurity plan.
Everyday Biosecurity
Use these resources to learn about everyday biosecurity considerations to keep your animals healthy. The Wyoming Livestock Board recommends working with your veterinarian to develop a plan that will work best for you and your animals.
Resources:
- The Center for Food Security and Public Health – Farm Biosecurity
- Poultry:
- Dairy: The National Dairy FARM Program – Everyday Biosecurity
- Small Ruminants: AASRP Biosecurity Tool Kit Resources
- Swine: National Swine Health Strategy Biosecurity Resources
- Cattle: BQA Biosecurity Resources
- Equine: Equine Disease Communication Center Biosecurity Resources
Exhibition Biosecurity
Whether you are attending a fair or show with your animal or are coordinating an event, building your biosecurity knowledge and enacting a plan can help limit disease risk for animals and humans.
Resources:
Enhanced Biosecurity for Disease Outbreaks
In the face of a foreign animal disease outbreak, enhanced biosecurity will be required to allow for continuity of business for producers. If you are interested in developing a Secure Food Supply Plan for your herd or flock, contact your veterinarian and the Wyoming Livestock Board for assistance.