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Veterinarian discusses importance of biosecurityRecent animal health issues have made state officials, including Iowa's state veterinarian, Dr. Dave Schmitt, make a push for educating livestock producers to use proper biosecurity with their animals. "Iowa is number one in swine production, number one in egg production, and number two in red meat production," he said. "What Iowa farmers do on their farms can impact a huge number of people." Schmitt used as an example--a treatment decision on one 1,250-head hog site can impact as many as 463,750 meals. "One incorrect treatment or decision can make such an impact on the future of a herd," he explained. "There are so many ways disease can spread among our livestock herds--people, vehicles, insects, rodents, oral contact, vector-borne and aerosol. That is why biosecurity methods are so important," he added. Many diseases are spread by animal-to-animal contact, but some are spread by animal-to -human contact and vise versa. Schmitt said H1N1 has been the recent concern in the U.S. and around the world. "We currently do not have H1N1 flu in our swine herd. We continue to work with the media, industry, and public information officers to educate about precautions that need to be made to prevent outbreaks of this and other illnesses in and among the human and animal populations," he said. One major problem with any kind of disease transmission is that the animals may not show signs of the disease. Risk management is a key to preventing spread of diseases. Protection programs are in place to protect livestock. One example of these programs would be the requirement of testing of bovines from a state that is not brucellosis or tuberculosis free, since Iowa holds the free status. Along with these programs is an overall awareness, education and evaluation, in order to keep diseases out of the area. "With a rise in emerging and reemerging diseases and changing food production practices, it becomes even more important for producers to use good biosecurity in order to minimize economic consequences," he said. Health certificates issued by the herd veterinarian should accompany animals traveling both out of state and within state. These certificates help trace a problem should it occur. Schmitt warns of global travel, as well. An increase in personal travel globally can also lead to spreading a foreign animal disease. An isolation time should be known for people who are traveling globally, in order to prevent such diseases. "Taking proper prevention measures is less costly than treating animals that get a disease," he added. Proper cleaning of facilities, proper storage and handling of medications and vaccines, and being able to identify sick animals all contribute to the health and well-being of animals on any farm. The issue of disposal of dead animals was one Schmitt showed concern for, as well. The 2008 bovine spongiform encephalopathy rule no longer allows cows over 30 months of age to be sent to rendering plants without the removal of the brain and spinal cord. This rule caused producers to find other avenues of disposal. Schmitt said composting, burial and incineration are some of the most common, besides rendering. "It's important for producers to have a plan of action for anything that might happen on their farm," he said. "Biosecurity is not only a must to protect themselves and their animals, but also to protect the food supply." Jennifer Bremer can be reached by phone at 515-833-2120, or by e-mail at jbremer@hpj.com.
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