Student & Staff Biosecurity

Biosecurity Protocol for University of Minnesota AnSci/Vet Med Students and Faculty

It is essential for many of us to work directly with animals as part of our daily activities. This contact with animals may be at both University livestock facilities and commercial livestock units. As professionals, we have a responsibility to protect ourselves, others and animals from potential disease transmission risks. The following guidelines should be helpful to all of us in performing our required tasks while minimizing disease risk.

• Clean clothing, coveralls and disinfected boots should be worn when working within the University of Minnesota livestock facilities.
  
• Footbaths or containers of disinfectant will be placed and maintained at entry points to University of Minnesota animal housing units. Individuals should use these footbaths and/or wash their boots when moving between animal housing units.
  
• If you move between units (example: dairy to beef), you should change coveralls. Again boots should be cleaned and disinfected when moving between units.
  
• When visiting private farms, always wear clean coveralls and boots. Do not wear unlaundered coveralls and un-sanitized boots previously worn in the University of Minnesota livestock facilities to any private farm.
  
• If you have been on a private farm, you must wear clean coveralls and boots when entering any University of Minnesota livestock facility.
  
• Foreign students or faculty arriving from foreign countries with Foot and Mouth Disease should not enter any University of Minnesota or private livestock facility for 7 days after their arrival in the US. If faculty, visitors, or students have been in a country with Foot and Mouth Disease, they should review and sign the precautions outlined in the Visitor Precaution Document.