Biosecurity

Biosecurity involves practices that prevent the introduction and spread of disease from farm to farm.

Wear protective clothing and practice sanitation

Wear disposable plastic boots or, if you prefer, wear rubber boots. If you use rubber boots, carry a bucket, boot brush, and disinfectant such as Novalsan Solution (chlorhexidine) or Roccal-D (ammonium chloride). Clean boots thoroughly after each farm.
Keep a box of heavy-duty garbage bags in your vehicle for disposing of plastic boots. Do not remove plastic boots until you have returned to your vehicle.
Wash or dry clean all clothing worn on farms regularly, including hats, gloves and jackets.
Wear clean or disposable coveralls if your farm visit is likely to contaminate your clothing. Change coveralls after each visit.
Wash your hands between farms to lower the risk of disease transmission. Carry disinfectant "waterless" liquid soap and a roll of paper towels in your vehicle so that you can wash your hands even if no sink is available.
Disposable gloves can be used in place of hand washing. Dispose of gloves at the end of each visit.

If possible, visit the areas and buildings which do not house animals first.
When visiting animal facilities, ask to start with the housing for the youngest animals and move on to the oldest. Young animals are the most susceptible to disease, so look at them while you are "cleanest."
If you have traveled to a farm in another country, do not enter any farms in this country for at least seven days. Then, be sure to clean and disinfect all clothing, especially shoes and boots, before visiting a farm.

Don't visit another farm unless absolutely necessary.
Use the designated parking area for visitors.
Park in an area that is not contaminated with manure.
Keep the inside of your vehicle clean.
Return to your vehicle only once you have finished your visit, cleaned your boots, and washed your hands.
Go through a car wash regularly if you're on numerous farms.
To avoid transferring diseases between farms, make sure to clean your tires and floor mats.

Close your herd to new additions if possible. The introduction of infected animals is the number one way diseases are spread. If new introductions are necessary, isolate the animals for 30 days.
Buy replacement animals from reputable sources where the herd health is known.
Isolate animals that have gone off the farm to fairs, shows, or exhibitions for at least ten day after they return to the farm.
Separate sick animals to limit disease spread.
Haul cull or sale animals off farm yourself to limit high risk trailer traffic on your farm.
Use "all in - all out" animal management practices.
Set up your routines so that you handle animals young to old, or from healthy to sick.
Place dead animals for pick-up away from live animals in a location that minimizes the distance a rendering truck must travel onto your farm.
Control pets and pests on the farm so they do not spread disease.