Protect your herd against H5N1

FORT BRANCH, Ind. — Small steps go a long way when it comes to protecting your cows, employees and neighbors against H5N1.

Indiana Dairy Producers shared biosecurity practices that can make a difference.

“We are now nearly four months removed from the announcement of high pathogenic avian influenza in Texas dairy farms,” said IDP Executive Director Steve Obert.

“H5N1 has now spread to 13 states and over 163 dairy herds. Poultry flocks have been impacted, as well, and it appears the disease is being transmitted from the dairies to these poultry farms. Also, several employees have been confirmed with the illness.”

Indiana does not have a confirmed case so far.

The impact on infected dairy farms has been significant, but thankfully cows recover.

Poultry, on the other hand, does not. Entire flocks need to be euthanized if infected.

“Public health is also a concern,” Obert said. “Farm employees are susceptible to infection. Even though the symptoms have been rather minor, it is important to know that in many areas of the world the illness has very serious health consequences to people.

“Furthermore, investigators have determined that the spread is attributed to people. It is humans spreading this virus, not wildlife.”

The Indiana State Board of Animal Health issued practices to keep your farm safe:

Farm Workers And Families

• Hand-wash and sanitize regularly before and after contact with animals, milk and milking equipment.

• Keep dedicated barn shoes or boots on the farm. Do not wear these boots elsewhere, even to your house. Keep boots clean and disinfect them. Keeping a can of Lysol spray in your truck for frequent boot spraying is very effective.

• Wear freshly laundered, dedicated clothing to the barns daily and don’t wear them elsewhere. Now might be the right time to provide commercial uniform service for your team.

• Keep pets out of animal areas and be extra cautious if your farm workers or their family members work on a poultry farm.

Visitors

• Avoid unnecessary touching or contact with animals, milk or milking equipment. Wash or sanitize before and after contacts.

• Wear disposable shoe covers or clean and disinfect footwear.

• Require these visitors park in designated areas away from animals. It is good to have them clean wheel wells with liquid disinfectant and floorboards with aerosolized or liquid disinfectant such as Lysol.

• Visitor log is very valuable in recording who comes on the farm and when.

Milk Haulers

• Require milk haulers to wash and sanitize hands before and after each visit. Disposable gloves use is a great practice to require.

• Haulers should wear disposable boot covers. Disinfecting shoes and truck cabs before entering is extremely helpful.

• Again, wearing clean clothing and wash them daily.

• Finally, avoid spilling or dumping milk, especially from other farms. Soak up outdoor spills with pine shavings.

“One final suggestion — consider incorporating the Danish Entry System into your practices,” Obert said.

“This idea uses a marker or barrier that alerts employees and guest that, by crossing this boundary, there is a whole other set of biosecurity protocols they are required to follow. This system is used throughout the pork and poultry industry as a standard practice.

“This marker can be as simple as a bench or a set of traffic cones. Setting a bench at your barn entryway is very effective at heightening awareness of the requirement for stringent biosecurity compliance on your farm.”