Here’s what experts had to say during a recent CDFA-CDQAP webinar.
“What biosecurity precautions should I expect from visitors to my dairy?” As the number of U.S. dairy herds infected with HPAI (“Bird Flu”) exceeds 170, more producers are asking that question. On July 16th Federal, state and industry biosecurity experts joined CDQAP and CDFA to provide some answers. The webinar drew 86 registrants from the industry, regulatory, academic and veterinary communities. The webinar was recorded and is available for viewing. Highlights from the webinar include:
Current Status in California – California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones reassured viewers that in spite of expanded surveillance, HPAI hadn’t yet been detected in California. In addition, CDFA was continuing to develop contingency plans which will allow business continuity for dairies in the event the virus enters the state. Dr. Jones emphasized that good biosecurity helps limit both within-herd spread and herd-to-herd spread. This protects not only a farm’s cows and employees, but neighboring dairies and flocks as well.
National Perspective – Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle, formerly of Iowa State University, now consults with a variety of industry and regulatory groups. Dairy biosecurity has been exhaustively covered by numerous organizations including USDA, the Secure Milk Supply program, (SMS), the NMPF and its National FARM program. Producers just getting started can register for a free 45-minute introductory training. Materials for employee training are available in English and Spanish from AAPB. Evaluators for the national FARM animal care program are not visiting dairies experiencing an HPAI outbreak. For other farms, evaluators are advised to park in as clean an area as possible, away from animal areas and farm vehicle paths. Evaluators will have freshly laundered clothes and will change into new clothes or use disposable coveralls in between farms. Evaluators will wear disposable boot covers. Because cows can shed the HPAI virus before becoming clinical, evaluators will avoid the parlor and will stay at least 6 feet away of cows that are being evaluated and scored. Evaluators will wash their hands after removing their boots.
View from Allied Industry – Dr. Carolina Mateus explained how DeLaval milking equipment technicians are keeping their client’s herds safe. The company starts by covering the costs of disposable PPE, car washes, laundry and “clean” & “dirty” totes for car equipment storage. The company’s biosecurity policy dictates both PPE and practices employees will use, based on 5 different levels of risk assigned to a state or region. For instance, restrictions on type of work, farm visits per day, tire disinfection, masks and goggles all depend on the current disease prevalence in that area.
Current Practices from CDFA – Dr. Nicki Humphrey explained that CDFA employees are currently employing “day-to-day” practices, including limiting time on farm and in animal areas. Boots must be disinfected or disposal boot covers must be used. Most importantly, CDFA staff will always follow the producer’s required biosecurity practices. Biosecurity will be heightened if HPAI is detected on a farm or in a region. Such enhancements may include suspension of routine inspections, clean or disposable outer clothes for each farm, parking on a paved surface removed from the main facility and carwash between farms.
Producers or processors interested in learning more about biosecurity resources can contact Dr. Michael Payne at mpayne@ucdavis.edu.