As fair season approaches, it’s important to remember that biosecurity is critical, especially at locations where the public interfaces with animals, such as shows, agritourism sites, and petting zoos.
Although these venues offer a highly valuable educational opportunity and better understanding of agriculture for both participants and spectators, disease risk from animal to animal and animal to humans still exists. Animal owners and event managers have the opportunity to enhance biosecurity and protect both animal and human health while still showcasing animal agriculture.
In a 2007 study by Thunes, involving the 2005 California State Fair, 137 exhibitors were surveyed. Exhibitors showed all livestock species and represented 40 of 58 California counties. Results indicated that biosecurity precautions were minimal, with 7% of respondents indicating that they did not follow any precautions prior to exhibiting, and 10% reporting there were no major precautions during the event. For all species, the most common guidelines followed were no equipment sharing and no direct physical contact with other animals. Only 26% of respondents reported quarantining after the event. 97% of respondents returned their animals to their home premises. Although these results are several years old, they remain a good reminder that improvement is often needed for show related biosecurity.
Biosecurity plans for public livestock venues contain the major elements of most other types of plans, but may also include additional considerations depending on the location of the venues, species present, activities conducted, and types of people involved. Biosecurity measures and plans should be customized and event specific.
Plans should be developed by venue management with significant veterinary input following disease risk assessment. Plans should be practiced and evaluated during the course of an event and reviewed at least annually.
During events, biosecurity should be a primary focus. Show management and the event veterinarian must define animal health requirements. Consultation with public and animal health officials is advised to ensure minimum requirements are included. Pre-arrival expectations should be well promoted and published.
Care should be taken to avoid commingling of groups of animals in common areas such as inspection/weighing stations, wash racks, and tie outs without appropriate cleaning and disinfection.
Additionally, exhibitors and caretakers are advised to limit their exposure to only their specific livestock. Equipment and supplies, especially water buckets and feed pans, should not be shared between groups of animals.
Shows and fairs are exciting times, and it is recognized that livestock owners may forget, or not fully follow recommended biosecurity practices due to their familiarity with their animals and focus on the event itself.
This group may also inadvertently take part in risk associated behavior such as eating, drinking, or sleeping near their livestock or skipping daily biosecurity routines due to intense event schedules. Each member of the team must commit to and exercise practices outlined in the biosecurity plan.
All individuals, including animal owners, at public livestock venues are at some level of zoonotic disease risk or physical injury. Other major groups to consider when developing biosecurity measures include: event personnel and the public.
A particular focus for event management should concentrate on segments of the population in high-risk groups including: young children, pregnant individuals, and those with compromised immune systems. All groups should receive education and training on biosecurity risks and preventative practices. Working together, we can provide a safe, quality experience and educate the next generation of livestock owners and the public.
By Rosslyn Biggs, DVM
