Biosecurity Protocol for University of Guelph Field Technicians: BarnBase pig barn data collection

1.         All reasonable precautions must be followed. Farm-specific protocols are to be adhered to at the request of the farmer. The BarnBase protocols are in addition to the farmer’s protocols.

2.         No “cold-calls”, arrange a meeting time and place prior to each visit, even if it means calling from your cell phone from a near by location. Don’t be late.

3.         Comply with all requests by the producer regarding:

            a.         Prior visits by you to other swine farms (e.g. 24 hours free of swine visits). Always determine, if possible, the health status of the herd you are visiting. Herds which are derived from surgical procedures and closed hers should be visited first if more than one call is planned the same day. If general, barns with the highest health status first.

            b.         Wear clothing provided by the farmer, ensure that they are clean. If they are not clean, explain the situation that you are going to other farms that day, always with clean clothes. You may have to return home afterwards for a shower, etc. if you feel you have been contaminated.

4.         Ensure that your vehicle is clean upon arrival (except for extremely recent road splash). If not, clean car prior to arrival. Prior to going on the farm property, kick off any snow or mud buildup if necessary on the road.

5.         Comply with all signs on the premises stating where to drive and park your vehicle. Where no signs are posted, avoid driving your vehicle over areas that are contaminated with manure. The vehicle should not be parked near the barns.

6.         Drive into the yard or predetermined location and circle around so that the car is facing the exit. If possible, park in plain view of a window or the barn.

7.         Log the time of arrival.

8.         Do NOT enter the barn under any circumstances. If the farmer is in the barn, call the barn phone.

9.         When leaving the car, ensure that all windows are closed to deny flies to enter car.

10.       Strictly maintain “clean side, dirty side” of car. Plastic boots and clean coveralls are kept in the “clean” side and used clothing in the trunk (“dirty side”). Place all dirty clothes in covered tub marked “DIRTY”. Keep all clean clothes in a tub inside the car (or on clean side of trunk) marked “CLEAN”. If using plastic booties, keep in clean side until used. Keep a plastic garbage bag in dirty side for their disposal. If the farmer has a disposal container, use it with permission.

11.       Greet the farmer near the car, and introduce yourself, and the project. Ascertain immediately if the farmer has any reservations or concerns (you may have to provide information and leave the premises if there are any problems).

12.       If a farm is visited and the producer reports to you that an infections disease is present in an active form, you must use your judgment regarding continuing the barn visit. Of course, there is no barn entry! Determine whether this barn visit will jeopardise your subsequent barn visits with other producers that day. For example, if the barn has transmissible gastroenteritis (T.G.E.) you should postpone this visit for another date. Ask the farmer to contact you when it is cleared up. If you are unsure about a farm visit, contact the project leader who will consult the veterinarian. If you have been contaminated, cancel the subsequent farm visits by contacting the other farmers.

13.       Determine if the farmer requests that you wear their CLEAN coveralls and boots. If so, put on these clothes at the car (dirty side).

14.       If you are to wear your own clothes, proceed to clean side, don clothes. Use either:

            a.         Plastic booties

            b.         “Black over boots”. Liberally apply iodine disinfectant and scrub boots. Tell farmer that you want to use iodine and dump at this location. You can use the black tubs to contain iodine and dump elsewhere. Rinse with the water and a weak HIBITANE solution (5%) from the weed-sprayer.

15.       If you feel your car requires a brief cleaning, spray the lower panels and wheel wells with the HIBITANE solution with the weed-sprayer.

16.       Avoid allowing you or your equipment to become contaminated. If the pocket PC iPAQ becomes contaminated, disinfect at the car using the anti-microbial “wet ones” in your car.

17.       Proceed with the barn visit. Do not approach CLOSER THAN 3M (10') TO THE BARN FOR ANY REASON. Approach, preferably with the farmer, to the primary point of entry of the barn. If it is raining, don’t enter the shade of the barn, get wet!

18.       When the data is collected, thank the farmer and return to the “dirty side” of the car. Remove foot wear:

            a.         Remove plastic booties and dispose of correctly (preferably with the farmer or a waste bin on the farm), or

            b.         Liberally apply iodine disinfectant to boots and scrub clean. Rinse with the water and a weak HIBITANE solution (5%) from the weed-sprayer.

19.       If you feel your car requires a brief cleaning after the visit (touched, splashed, etc.), spray the lower panels and wheel wells with the HIBITANE solution with the weed-sprayer before leaving. If you feel you car requires a thorough car wash due to a significant splash, etc., go to a car wash, and ensure that you reschedule any visits you can’t make that day.

20.       Leave the premises directly and log the time of departure.

Weekly Activities:

If the car is dirty, have it washed. A drive-through car wash also may clean the undercarriage.

If the car has not been cleaned that week, do so on the Friday after the last visit and the car can dry over the weekend.