An Irish Clinical Perspective: Biosecurity and the role of Veterinary Ireland

1. An Irish Clinical Perspective:Biosecurityand the role of Veterinary Ireland Meta Osborne MVB CertESM MRCVS

3. EDUCATION + COMMUNICATION + PARTNERSHIP

4. What is Veterinary Ireland? • The representative body for vets in Ireland (1200 members) • Committed to • improving animal health & welfare • protecting public health • 6 interest groups • Veterinary Ireland Equine Group has over 200 members

5. What does Veterinary Ireland do? EDUCATION COMMUNICATION

6. What does Veterinary Ireland do? • Education • Mandatory CVE from January 2012 • Annual Irish Equine Veterinary Conference • Facilitate local clinical societies • Work with organisations such as BEVA & ITBA

7. What does Veterinary Ireland do? Communication • with members • Veterinary Journal • VetView • website • Email/text alerts • with outside bodies & agencies • DAFF, IEC, ITBA, ISPCA

8. VETERINARY IRELAND =EDUCATION + COMMUNICATION + PARTNERSHIP

9. Biosecurity?........sounds a bit woolly to me!

10. Equine biosecurity “management practices that minimise and prevent the movement of disease on, off and within a venue” (Animal Health Australia, 2009)

11. ….movement of disease…

12. Movement of animals • resident population • movement within farm • temporary movement off farm • veterinary hospital • breeding shed • Sales • Competition • newcomers • sales, competition

13. Movement of objects Equipment and tack • feed and water buckets • bridles, headcollars, bits, leadropes, twitches, rugs, rollers, saddles, girths, numnahs • grooming kits • thermometers, dosing syringes • Veterinary equipment (syringes, needles, suture kits, giving sets, endoscopes, specs)

14. Movement of objects • Vehicles • horse transport • Tractors • feed lorries • cars/jeeps (staff & visitors)

15. Movement of people • staff (full/part-time) • professionals & contractors KEEP THE GATE CLOSED!

17. Why me?Why not me?

18. Equine Biosecurity – the role of the veterinary clinician • “pivot person” • Often first on scene to examine a clinical case • veterinary training, knowledge and experience • ambulatory - has been on other holdings, will visit other holdings • awareness – outbreaks within practice area/locally/nationally/internationally • Preemptive role in advising on optimum biosecurity procedures

20. BIOSECURITY – WHAT CAN THE VET DO? • EDUCATION • Self: CVE (relevant, up-to-date, evidence-based) • Others: • Practice staff • Farm owners/managers • Yard staff • Equine groups (ITBA, Pony Club, Riding Clubs etc)

21. BIOSECURITY – WHAT CAN THE VET DO? • COMMUNICATION • Full explanation of (tentative) diagnosis & differentials • Outline of further testing/treatment plan • Further consultations – 2nd opinion from a colleague, discussion of case with IEC or local DVO • Client confidentiality vs vet’s legal & ethical responsibilities

22. BIOSECURITY – WHAT CAN THE VET DO? • PARTNERSHIP • With horse owner/manager • Biosecurity plan (tailored to holding/enterprise) • PREVENT SPREAD • Between animals (quarantena) • By people • By things

23. BIOSECURITY – WHAT CAN THE VET DO? • PARTNERSHIP = SHARING • With professional colleagues • Dissemination of information • CVE • With industry bodies

24. CLIENT/PRACTITIONER RELATIONSHIP =

25. BIOSECURITY – WHAT CAN THE HORSE OWNER DO? • EDUCATION • STAY INFORMED – know what threats are out there (local/national/international) • trade papers & journals, education opportunities via ITBA • COMMUNICATION • With staff & visitors (professional & others) • With industry bodies • You own the horse, not the disease, and not the industry!

26. BIOSECURITY – WHAT CAN THE HORSE OWNER DO? PARTNERSHIP • Draw up a biosecurity plan with input from staff & vets • Plan should be • Easy to follow • Compatible with day-to-day running of enterprise • Inexpensive

27. BIOSECURITY – WHAT CAN THE HORSE OWNER DO? • PARTNERSHIP • Strength in numbers: • Join ITBA! • Ask vet if he/she is a member of Veterinary Ireland

28. What your vet can expect from you • Openness & honesty • animal ID • history • records • Compliance • Follow through on control measures & treatments

29. What you can expect from your vet TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE • known knowns  unknown unknowns • PROFESSIONALISM • ethical behaviour • care & empathy • honesty & trust • communication skills • cleanliness & hygiene

30. Prevention of disease spread - what you can expect from your vet • Clean footwear and clothing on arrival • Clean instruments & equipment, good hygiene & clinical waste disposal during procedures • Good hygiene as I leave yard (more likely that I did the same at the previous yard I visited)

31. Who is the weakest link?

32. Ostriches & biosecurity Ostrich attitude is never a good idea!

33. NO MORE OSTRICHES! • If you have an infectious disease problem – admit it! • If your horse is on a farm with an infectious disease problem, be a part of the solution, not part of the problem! X

34. NO MORE OSTRICHES! • COMMUNICATION: Let people know what’s going on and what you are doing to control it • DEBRIEFING: when the dust has settled, try to figure out what happened and why, to help prevent the problem recurring. X

35. “hope is not an infection control strategy – you have to work at it! Dr Scott Weese DVM, University of Guelph THANK YOU!