AAEP BIOSECURITY GUIDELINES


c. Monitoring of equids during an outbreak i. Continuous health monitoring of all equids on the premises is a priority during an infectious disease outbreak.


ii. Designated, knowledgeable, experienced individuals should perform periodic walk-throughs of stables directly observing equids for any sign of clinical disease.


iii. Owners/trainers/grooms of equids should be required to monitor their equids for signs of disease and report any clinical signs to show management or attending veterinarian


iv. Temperatures should be taken on equids twice daily and documented in a log displayed on the stall door for easy assessment. Temperatures should not be taken immediately after exercise; ie they should be obtained after equids are cooled out to avoid spurious elevations.


v. An equid body temperature over 102°F (38.9°C) should be immediately reported to show management. Equids with temperatures between 101°F (38.3°C) and 102°F (38.9°C) should be monitored for other signs of disease and have the temperature retaken in 1 hour.


vi. Equids demonstrating “sick equid triggers” outlined in III.A.2 should be moved to the isolation facility and managed there.


vii. Consideration should be given to updating or initiating vaccination in at risk equids when appropriate. Please see this section of the Infectious Disease Control guidelines for recommendations for specific diseases.


d. Additional restrictions and recommendations for disinfection i. Since dogs may carry infectious disease agents from one location to another on the premises, no dogs should be on the grounds during an infectious disease outbreak. Require owners with dogs onsite to immediately remove dogs from the grounds. Dogs should not be placed in trailers or vehicles due to the possibility of escape, barking and temperature stress.


ii. Immediately clean equipment of organic matter, thoroughly scrub with detergent and water, rinse, dry and disinfect all previously shared equipment (lead ropes, chains, bits, twitches, thermometers, grooming supplies, etc.). Items, such as tack, to which disinfectants cannot be applied, should be cleaned and allowed to dry in the sun, since sunlight inactivates/kills many pathogens. Sharing of equipment should be discouraged, but any equipment which must be shared should be cleaned and disinfected between uses.


iii. During a disease outbreak, it is essential to communicate disease biosecurity measures to visitors. Keep visitors out of the equid areas and inform them of proper biosecurity measures if they are returning to equid premises.


iv. Steps to limit direct and indirect equid contact are necessary. All areas which are touched by human hands or by equids, such as fences, wash racks, bathroom sinks, faucets and door handles, should be cleaned and disinfected at least daily. Common use items, such as wash stall cross ties and washing equipment, should be removed and personnel should be required to use their own equipment. Monitor exercise and exhibition areas to ensure that minimal direct or indirect equid-to-equid


13  Copyright AAEP – Revised 2017


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