Why do we have to be concerned about biosecurity when the disease situation has improved?
A. The foot and mouth disease outbreak of 2001 has long gone. However, we must continue to take steps that reduce the risk of spreading both exotic (from outside this country such as FMD) and endemic (established in this country such as Salmonella, E. coli (VTEC 0157), BVD, and IBR) diseases. Disease and the threat of it, from other livestock and wildlife is constant. In the early stages of an infection an animal may appear healthy, but be infecting other susceptible animals. Infectious diseases may be spread by direct contact, in an animal’s breath, faeces, urine, semen, milk, nasal secretions and saliva (‘secretions and excretions’). Equipment, boots, clothes, vehicles and people’s hands may also become contaminated. Bio-security is an on-going process.
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