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Biosecurity

​​​​​​​Animal Handlers

  • Wear protective clothing (coveralls and boots that can be disinfected) when handling animals and wash afterwards.

  • Have separate footwear for indoors and around animals.

  • Wash your hands before and after handling or caring for animals and between groups.

  • Prevent or at least control visitor access to your animals.

  • Handle young animals first, then healthy adult animals, then new or quarantined animals, then any sick animals.

​Animal Health

  • Monitor animals closely for poor appetite, looking limp or depressed, or behaving differently in any way.

  • Contact your veterinarian if signs of illness are observed.

  • Implement a vaccination program recommended by your veterinarian.

  • Do not rely solely on vaccination for disease prevention but continue biosecurity practices daily.

  • Minimize stress for your animals by providing a clean environment, plentiful and high quality food, fresh air, clean water, and enough space for all animals.

  • Report any unusual illnesses or deaths to your veterinarian or the Oregon State Veterinarian's Office at 503-986-4711 or email AHHotline@oda.oregon.gov. 

  • By state law, certain animal diseases must be reported to the State Veterinarians Office. The full list is identified in ODA's Veterinary Disease Reporting Page. 

Cleaning and Disinfecting Equipment

​​​Cleaning

  • Remove all visible organic debris from items to be disinfected (cages, feeding equipment, waterers, footwear, etc.).

  • Wash items thoroughly with soap and water; rinse well and let dry.

  • Allow prolonged exposure to sunlight when possible.

  • Items made of organic material, such as wood, are best discarded or burned.

Disinfection

  • Saturate by submersion or spray with 10 percent bleach (sodium hypochlorite), 1% Virkon®S (DuPont) or other applicable disinfectant per label instructions.

  • Allow 10 minutes contact, then rinse and let dry before allowing animal contact.

Controlling Potential Disease Carriers

  • Flies, rats, cats, dogs, birds, etc. can move pathogens around on their feet or body, so control or prevent their access to animal areas.

  • Fence out scavengers and wildlife, including birds.

Feeding 

  • Do not feed animals on the ground. Use an elevated feeder, bunk, or rack.

  • Do not allow animals to use hay or feed for bedding.

Housing

  • When indoors, house animals on a surface that is impermeable and can be disinfected.

  • Double fence pastures to avoid direct contact with wildlife and neighboring animals.

  • Separate animals by age post-weaning.​

Isolating New Animals or Animals Returning From a Show or Event

  • Isolate new and returning animals in a separate area for 30 days before allowing contact with the main animal group.

  • Designate one person to care for isolated animals OR designate separate clothing, footwear, and equipment for the two groups.

  • Care for your main herd before interacting with isolated animals.

Sourcing Animals 

  • Obtain animals from reputable sources.

  • Avoid purchasing animals from a livestock auction or online classified advertising if you plan to breed them.

  • Conduct species-specific pre-purchase laboratory testing and examination.

  • Consult your veterinarian for recommendations of sources of healthy, high-quality animals.

​Contact

Animal Health
635 Capitol Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-986-4680
Fax: 503-986-4734

​If you find a sick or dead livestock or poutlry, don't touch it, report it!

Oregon State Veterinarian
Animal Health
635 Capitol St NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-986-4711
Alt Phone: 1-800-347-7028

For wildlife, contact:

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Phone: 1-866-968-2600​​