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

1. An Irish Clinical Perspective:Biosecurity and the role of Veterinary Ireland Meta Osborne MVB CertESM MRCVS Thank you to the ITBA for inviting me to speak on this important topicThank you to the ITBA for inviting me to speak on this important topic

2. As I was preparing my presentation I realised that once we defined biosecurity from a clinical point of view then a common theme emerged As I was preparing my presentation I realised that once we defined biosecurity from a clinical point of view then a common theme emerged

3. EDUCATION + COMMUNICATION + PARTNERSHIP That theme is the relationship between education, communication and partnership � as they say, �you can�t have one without the others�That theme is the relationship between education, communication and partnership � as they say, �you can�t have one without the others�

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 Before I get to my core message I wanted to give you a brief overview of Veterinary Ireland and its importance in any consideration of the role of vets in biosecurity.Before I get to my core message I wanted to give you a brief overview of Veterinary Ireland and its importance in any consideration of the role of vets in biosecurity.

5. What does Veterinary Ireland do?

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. This is probably how most of us have felt at one time or another, but I think today�s session is helping to clarify our thinking about biosecurity.This is probably how most of us have felt at one time or another, but I think today�s session is helping to clarify our thinking about biosecurity.

10. Equine biosecurity �management practices that minimise and prevent the movement of disease on, off and within a venue� (Animal Health Australia, 2009) This very useful definition was developed by our colleagues in Australia as a result of their efforts in dealing with equine influenza in 2008 � a disease which was for them new and exoticThis very useful definition was developed by our colleagues in Australia as a result of their efforts in dealing with equine influenza in 2008 � a disease which was for them new and exotic

11. �.movement of disease� If we concentrate on movement of disease, this can happen in three ways and for different diseases one factor or another can be more significantIf we concentrate on movement of disease, this can happen in three ways and for different diseases one factor or another can be more significant

12. Movement of animals resident population movement within farm temporary movement off farm veterinary hospital breeding shed Sales Competition newcomers sales, competition Horse to horse transmission is often rated the most important means by which disease is spread. It is therefore vital that horse movement is controlled, and equally important that it is recorded, and most importantly of all, that adequate isolation measures are in place to avoid mixing resident and new stock until the health status of the newcomers is establishedHorse to horse transmission is often rated the most important means by which disease is spread. It is therefore vital that horse movement is controlled, and equally important that it is recorded, and most importantly of all, that adequate isolation measures are in place to avoid mixing resident and new stock until the health status of the newcomers is established

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) We have all been well schooled in how some diseases can be spread onto objects (for example, nasal discharge onto a feed tub) and it is important that each one of us looks at the things we use in our interaction with horses and whether they could act as fomites.We have all been well schooled in how some diseases can be spread onto objects (for example, nasal discharge onto a feed tub) and it is important that each one of us looks at the things we use in our interaction with horses and whether they could act as fomites.

14. Movement of objects Vehicles horse transport Tractors feed lorries cars/jeeps (staff & visitors) The movement of vehicles is also something that should be controlled � just think about where the wheels of that jeep have been. When designing a new barn or holding area give some thought to where staff and visitors park, and to how tractors and feed lorries access the stable areaThe movement of vehicles is also something that should be controlled � just think about where the wheels of that jeep have been. When designing a new barn or holding area give some thought to where staff and visitors park, and to how tractors and feed lorries access the stable area

15. Movement of people staff (full/part-time) professionals & contractors KEEP THE GATE CLOSED! IF there was one message from this part of the talk it would be (physically & metaphorically) �keep the gate closed!�IF there was one message from this part of the talk it would be (physically & metaphorically) �keep the gate closed!�

17. Why me?Why not me? In this photo I should really be scratching my head! Why was I asked to give this presentation?In this photo I should really be scratching my head! Why was I asked to give this presentation?

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 The veterinary practitioner has two roles in equine biosecurityThe veterinary practitioner has two roles in equine biosecurity

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) We�re back to the theme I mentioned of education-communication-partnershipWe�re back to the theme I mentioned of education-communication-partnership

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 As vets we were all given similar training and from day 1 we are designated �omnicompetent� � equipped to deal with the next call, whatever that is. But the reality for me (and for many of my colleagues) is that we have developed interests in particulary areas. For example, I spend 90% of my time scanning mares, what do I do if presented with an unusual clinical condition? History, clinical exam and then the steps outlined here � but we can�t work in isolation and may need help. We are also bound by the CPCAs vets we were all given similar training and from day 1 we are designated �omnicompetent� � equipped to deal with the next call, whatever that is. But the reality for me (and for many of my colleagues) is that we have developed interests in particulary areas. For example, I spend 90% of my time scanning mares, what do I do if presented with an unusual clinical condition? History, clinical exam and then the steps outlined here � but we can�t work in isolation and may need help. We are also bound by the CPC

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 We can�t work in isolation � we need a partnership with the horse owner/managerWe can�t work in isolation � we need a partnership with the horse owner/manager

23. BIOSECURITY � WHAT CAN THE VET DO? PARTNERSHIP = SHARING With professional colleagues Dissemination of information CVE With industry bodies To increase the knowledge pool we share informationTo increase the knowledge pool we share information

24. CLIENT/PRACTITIONER RELATIONSHIP = The CPR is based on trustThe CPR is based on trust

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! Back to the theme of ECPBack to the theme of ECP

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 Complicated, time-consuming plans gather dust!Complicated, time-consuming plans gather dust!

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 I think you would probably take technical knowledge for granted, I think it is just as important to say when you don�t know what you are dealing with but that you know where to find help or information. Professionalism is what marks vets out from being mere technicians.I think you would probably take technical knowledge for granted, I think it is just as important to say when you don�t know what you are dealing with but that you know where to find help or information. Professionalism is what marks vets out from being mere technicians.

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) Expect a graduated response starting from a strong base of good personal & professional hygiene. I don�t scrub up and put on surgical gown and gloves to scan a mare, I do wear disposable latex gloves to suture a mare�s vulva and I wear sterile surgical gloves to suture a skin wound.Expect a graduated response starting from a strong base of good personal & professional hygiene. I don�t scrub up and put on surgical gown and gloves to scan a mare, I do wear disposable latex gloves to suture a mare�s vulva and I wear sterile surgical gloves to suture a skin wound.

31. Who is the weakest link? We have to all ask ourselves �who is the weakest link?�We have to all ask ourselves �who is the weakest link?�

32. Ostriches & biosecurity A few take home messages��A few take home messages��

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!

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.