Key points for a basic but effective biosecurity policy in your clinic

Horses often live a mobile life in which they travel frequently and come into contact with many different horses with unknown medical histories. This provides an opportunity for exposure to a variety of potential pathogens and rapid spread of diseases that are highly contagious. This scenario is especially concerning in a veterinary hospital where patients may have increased susceptibility to infection. Every veterinary practice should establish a biosecurity plan with the goals of limiting the exposure of hospital patients to pathogens and containing the spread of pathogens when they are present. Plans must be tailored to the size, patient population, geographic location, available resources and physical characteristics of the individual practice but should include policies for disease prevention, containment, surveillance and response.