PEI Livestock and Poultry Emergency Disease Response: The First 48 Hours

If you suspect a disease outbreak in your herd or flock, it is important to take the necessary steps to minimize and prevent the spread of disease within your herd / flock and to other herds / flocks or susceptible species. The following is a series of actions to take within the first 48 hours.

For additional in-depth information and actions to take prior to confirmation of a suspected foreign animal disease (FAD), please refer to the PEI Disease Emergency Response Resource Manuals for Cattle, Swine, Poultry or Small Ruminants and Camelids.

Communicate

• Contact your veterinarian, providing a complete description of the problem. Include the time of onset, duration, and whether the problem is worsening or resolving over time. Offer your suspicions as to what the problem might be.
• If a FAD is suspected, contact or have your veterinarian the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Provincial Veterinarian immediately.
• Contact your board or association office or industry representative so that they may take the necessary steps to help protect your industry.
• Inform family members and employees of the situation.
• Inform and document all services that have visited the farm in the previous 48 hours.

Enhance Biosecurity

• Immediately isolate sick animals and implement self-quarantine. 
• Suspend all unnecessary traffic and cancel all service visits to the farm. Require phone ahead arrangements for deliveries/pickups. Restrict the movement of equipment and personnel from farm to farm. 
• Reschedule vaccinations, when possible, until after farm has been cleared of suspected disease status.
• Service unaffected barns first or dedicate a specific employee to the affected barn(s).
• Use dedicated clothing, equipment, water and feed sources when handling sick animals. Wash hands frequently.
• Change your clothing and footwear prior to leaving the farm premises and use appropriate exit protocol. 
• Postpone all movement of livestock or other animals on and off farm.
• Ensure that a visitor log is in place.

Start On-Farm Investigation

• Gather all relevant documents, including health records and copies of production and mortality records.
• Review and list the on farm traffic, visitors, and livestock movement to and from your premises during the previous 21 days.

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