An overview of infection control strategies for equine facilities, with an emphasis on veterinary hospitals.
- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
This research article discusses the various infection control strategies that may be applied to equine facilities, especially veterinary hospitals. It throws light on the importance of establishing plans to manage infections, backed with a clear understanding of the diseases, their transmission, and their potential spread.
Infection Control Strategies
Infection control is defined as the process inhibiting or minimizing the risk of exposure to infectious diseases. The strategies for infection control tend toward two direct actions:
- Preventing or minimizing exposure to infectious agents
- Optimizing resistance to infection at both the individual and population levels should exposure occur
The application of each strategy varies based on both the nature of the disease and the profile of the population at risk.
Components of Infection Control: Biosecurity and Biocontainment Plans
When formulating an infection control plan—also referred to as a biosecurity or biocontainment plan—it is important to consider several aspects:
- Identifying the agent or agents to be controlled
- Determining the possible methods by which they might be introduced to the individual or population
- Understanding potential methods by which the disease might spread once in a farm or veterinary clinic
All three components form the core of a comprehensive infection control plan, ensuring maximal efficiency and success in controlling disease spread and infection rates.
Application to Equine Facilities
The study specifically analyzes the implementation of these infection control strategies in equine facilities, more precisely in veterinary hospitals. These facilities are deemed important due to the high risk of disease transmission amongst horses given their close contact with one another and their handlers. Comprehensive, proactive infection control measures can help provide the best possible healthcare practices by reducing the risk of infection and promoting healthy, disease-free environments.
Cite This Article
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Animal Population Health Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA. jtraub1@colostate.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animal Husbandry / methods
- Animal Husbandry / standards
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Hospitals, Animal / standards
- Hygiene
- Infection Control / methods
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Wierup M, Allard Bengtsson U, Vågsholm I. Biosafety considerations and risk reduction strategy for a new veterinary faculty building and teaching hospital in Sweden. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2020 Jun 4;10(1):1761588.
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- Hoopes JT, Stark CJ, Kim HA, Sussman DJ, Donovan DM, Nelson DC. Use of a bacteriophage lysin, PlyC, as an enzyme disinfectant against Streptococcus equi. Appl Environ Microbiol 2009 Mar;75(5):1388-94.
