High Consequence Diseases and Your Livestock

While there are many disease threats for livestock, some can be of special concern based on their ability to spread rapidly and cause severe illness, and often death. These diseases include emerging, and “exotic” or foreign animal diseases. These high consequence diseases can have devastating economic effects, (such as loss or disruption of trade, loss of consumer confidence), and lead to restrictions on animal movement, costing the animal industry millions of dollars. Prevention measures and rapid response for these diseases are essential for minimizing the further spread and impact to your livestock.

Definitions

• High Consequence Livestock Diseases.
  • Diseases that spreads rapidly from animal-to-animal and, if given the opportunity, from herd-to-herd; includes most emerging and foreign animal diseases.
• Emerging Diseases.
  • Diseases that are newly discovered, have increased in occurrence or have spread to new locations or species. Examples include: bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis, vesicular stomatitis.
• “Exotic” or Foreign Animal Diseases.
  • Livestock disease not currently found in the U.S., but is present in other areas of the world, thereby making it a potential biological threat to U.S. livestock. Examples include: foot-and-mouth disease, highly pathogenic avian influenza, Rift Valley fever.

Disease Transmission

Disease-causing organisms can be spread by a variety of methods. These are important to consider when setting up biosecurity protocols, to reduce further transmission.

• Direct contact: Entry of disease agent into open wounds, mucous membranes, or the skin; may occur by contact with blood, saliva, nose-to-nose contact, rubbing, or biting from an infected animal.
• Indirect contact or fomites: Transfer of disease agent by an inanimate object (e.g., equipment, vehicle, clothing, footwear).
• Aerosol: Infectious droplets passed through the air from one animal to another.
• Ingestion: Consumption of disease agent in contaminated feed or water or by licking or chewing contaminated environmental objects.
• Vector-borne: Disease agent spread by insects (e.g., mosquitoes, ticks, biting midges, flies)

Prevention: Biosecurity Measures

• Isolate new introductions or returning animals.
• Monitor animals for illness.
  • Observe animals daily for signs of illness.
  • Sick animals should be identified and isolated as soon as possible.
  • Contact your veterinarian immediately!
• Implement strict biosecurity measures on your farm.
  • Restrict access to your property and your animals.
  • Only allow essential workers and vehicles on the premises.
  • Prohibit visitors near animals unless absolutely necessary.
• Wear protective clothing to minimize spread.
  • Ensure all personnel or allowed visitors have clean footwear (disposable boots) and clothes (coveralls) while on the farm.
• Cleaning and disinfection.
  • Clean and disinfect clothes, shoes, equipment, vehicles and hands after contact with animals.
  • Clean and disinfect premises and equipment regularly.
  • Do not share equipment with other farms, unless items have been cleaning and disinfected.
• For additional biosecurity measures to implement, visit http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Infection_Control

During an Outbreak Situation

The response needed for a high consequence livestock disease will involve various state and federal agencies in efforts to control the further spread of the disease.

• To learn more about the necessary response to a high consequence disease, visit http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/content/printable_version/fs_fmd_con_07.pdf
• What you can do.
  • Cooperate with veterinarians and officials to prevent the disease from spreading further.
  • Implement strict biosecurity measures on your farm.
  • Monitor your animals for signs of illness.
  • In some situations, vaccines may be available and used to aid in controlling the disease spread. Determination will be made by state or federal animal health authorities.

High Consequence Livestock Pathogens