The following precautions endorsed by the CVMBS and the Colorado State Veterinarian have been specifically targeted at preventing Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) exposure at CVMBS facilities.  Foreign Animal Diseases of concern include, but are not limited to, Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Rinderpest, Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, Hog Cholera, African Swine Fever, African Horse Sickness, Virulent Avian Influenza, and Newcastleâs Disease.  The following precautions targeted at FAD's must be followed by all CVMBS personnel and students:

1. All CVMBS facilities, including laboratories, classrooms, offices, veterinary facilities, and animal handling or housing facilities, are considered animal agricultural facilities for the purposes of FAD biosecurity.  This policy is based on the understanding that it is impossible to predict where CVMBS personnel and students working with susceptible animals might indirectly contact infectious material. 

 
2. Any possible exposure of people or animals to FAD agents must be immediately made known to the CVMBS Director of Biosecurity and other appropriate administrative personnel.

 
3. The risk of introduction and transmission of Foot and Mouth Disease is a special concern to the CVMBS because of its extremely contagious nature.  There are specific FMD Biosecurity Policies that must be followed in addition to general FAD Biosecurity Policies listed below.

 
4. Persons bringing animals to the CVMBS for any reason must take appropriate precautions before animals will be allowed to enter CVMBS facilities.

 
• Persons transporting animals to the CVMBS must fully comply with state and federal regulations regarding transport of animals.  This includes obtaining appropriate health certificates and necessary statements regarding freedom from disease.

 
• Personnel receiving animals at the CVMBS are responsible for certifying that all pertinent transportation regulations have been followed, and are required to inquire about the recent travel history before animals enter CVMBS facilities. 

 
• It should be remembered that animals may serve as vectors or fomites for transmission of FAD agents even when they are not susceptible to infection.

 
• Animals brought to the CVMBS must have received appropriate quarantine upon entry to the U.S.  When possible, animals not subject to quarantine that have been transported from or through foreign countries will not be allowed to enter CVMBS facilities within seven days of entering the U.S.  In addition, these animals should be thoroughly bathed and have feet cleaned prior to entering CVMBS facilities.  Halters, tack, lead ropes, leg wraps, leashes, collars, etc. must be disinfected appropriately.  Extra care should be taken when these animals are being transported to or from an agricultural facility.  When it is not possible to follow this 7 day exclusion prior to entry into CVMBS facilities, animals should be thoroughly bathed and have feet cleaned as soon as possible after entry, personnel should restrict access of other animals and people to areas where animals have been handled, facilities should be cleaned and disinfected as soon as possible, and the Director of Biosecurity must be notified as soon as possible.

 
5. All people that have traveled from or through countries where FADâs are present within the past 7 days must take adequate precautions prior to entering any CVMBS facilities.  These precautions might be taken prior to travel where appropriate.

 
• Clothing brought from another country should be laundered or dry-cleaned prior to entering CVMBS facilities.  This includes outerwear such as coats.

 
• Footwear, watches, jewelry, and other similar items must be washed and disinfected.  Disinfectants may include appropriate dilutions of bleach, citric acid, acetic acid (vinegar), quaternary ammonium compounds, phenolic compounds, chlorohexidine, etc, depending upon the biological properties for agents of concern.

 
• No animal products that could be contaminated with FAD agents should be brought from other countries.  This includes food items.

 
• Upon entering the U.S., persons traveling from other countries must fully disclose to customs and USDA representatives their intent to visit an agriculture facility in the U.S.  They also must fully disclose any animal materials or products that are being brought into the U.S.

 
• CVMBS personnel hosting scientists, veterinarians, students, or other visitors are responsible for alerting these visitors to CVMBS policies regarding FAD biosecurity, and for ensuring that all appropriate precautions have been taken.  It is preferable that these FAD biosecurity policies are provided to visitors prior to traveling.  Any concerns regarding visitorsâ full compliance with these policies must be made known to appropriate administrative personnel prior to allowing their entry to CVMBS facilities.

 
6. Appropriate precautions must be taken when receiving biological or other materials from countries where FADâs are present.

 
• CVMBS personnel must take all necessary precautions to avoid receipt of any materials that may be contaminated with FAD agents. 

 
• If materials are received that have an increased risk of contamination, they must be disinfected or disposed of properly. 

 
• Submission forms for diagnostic laboratories should specifically inquire whether specimens were submitted from animals that were recently transported from or through countries where FADâs are present. 

 
• Services or laboratories that routinely receive biologic specimens must adopt formal policies that address appropriate handling and disposal of contaminated materials.  These policies must be available to all personnel working in such units and must be reviewed regularly.

 
7. Signs must be prominently displayed at entries to all animal handling or housing facilities with a statement similar to the following: ãPeople that have traveled from or through foreign countries must report to the front office (room XX) before contacting animals or entering animal facilities.ä