Biosecurity for Companion Animal Facilities: Preventing, Containing, and Managing Disease

Biosecurity

Steps to reduce the chance of disease-causing agents entering or spreading within a facility.

Chain of Infection

A model identifying six links required for disease spread: Agent, Reservoir, Portal of exit, Mode of transmission, Portal of entry, Susceptible host.

Agent

The pathogen responsible for causing a disease.

Reservoir

The natural environment where an agent lives and multiplies.

Portal of Exit

The route by which an agent leaves its reservoir.

Mode of Transmission

The method by which a pathogen spreads from one host to another.

Portal of Entry

The route by which a pathogen enters the next host.

Susceptible Host

An individual (animal or person) that can become infected by a pathogen.

Viruses

Pathogens that require living cells to replicate and are often highly contagious.

Bacteria

Microscopic organisms that can survive on surfaces and cause disease.

Fungi

Organisms that often spread via spores and persist in the environment.

Protozoa

Single-celled parasites that often cause disease through fecal-oral transmission.

Ectoparasites

External parasites like fleas and ticks that can act as vectors for disease.

High-risk activities

Actions that increase exposure to pathogens, such as mixing animals of unknown health status.

Protective activities

Actions taken to break the chain of infection, reducing disease spread.

Direct contact transmission

Spread of disease through physical touching or interaction between animals.

Indirect contact (fomites) transmission

Spread of disease via objects contaminated with pathogens.

Droplet/aerosol transmission

Spread of disease through respiratory particles in the air.

Fecal–oral transmission

Spread of disease through ingestion of contaminants from feces.

Vector-borne transmission

Spread of disease by vectors, such as insects that carry pathogens.

Environmental persistence transmission

Spread of disease when a pathogen survives on surfaces or in soil for extended periods.

Quarantine

Restricting movement of animals that may have been exposed to a disease but show no signs.

Isolation

Separating animals that are currently ill or confirmed to be infected.

Eradication strategies

Methods to eliminate a disease agent from a population or environment.

Shower-in/shower-out protocol

A procedure to prevent pathogens from entering or leaving a high-security area.

Cohorting

Grouping animals by health status to prevent disease spread.

Pest management in biocontainment

Controlling pests that can carry or spread disease agents.

Cross-site contamination

Spread of pathogens from one location to another, often via hands, clothing, or equipment.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Gear worn to protect against exposure to infectious agents.

Sanitation

The process of maintaining cleanliness to prevent disease.

Disinfection

The use of chemical agents to inactivate disease-causing organisms.

Risk classification

Judging the likelihood of disease introduction and spread in a facility.