Biosecurity: Your Role in Protecting Oregon's Livestock

The Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon State University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and the US Department of Agriculture are preparing to prevent or respond to the outbreak of an emergency animal disease or the invasion of a dangerous tick or pest.

Along with veterinarians, Oregon's livestock producers, livestock market owners, and feedlot operators are the front line defense for spotting and reporting possible signs of disease or bioterrorism. The FBI says that livestock producers and owners should not hesitate to report suspicious activity.

If you recognize signs of a possible livestock health emergency, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Biosecurity Tips

• Observe your animals daily for signs of disease.
• Be aware of events and unusual behaviors of people near your animals.
• Minimize your animals' contact with other producers' animals.
• Know the health status and disease control programs of any herd from which you buy animals.
• Be aware that visitors can bring disease into your herd. Only essential visitors should come in contact with your animals. Provide protective boots, gloves, and disinfectant for their use.
• Use feed and medicine from known and trusted sources.

Watch For These Signs

• Sudden, unexplained death, high fevers or abortions.
• Blisters or sores in the mouth or on the tongue, nose, teats, and feet
• Slobbering and lameness
• Staggering, falling, circling or other brain-disorder type behaviors
• Unusual ticks, maggots, or parasites

In Case of an Emergency Animal Disease

• Move livestock to the center of the property, out of contact with other animals.
• Isolate animals showing illness.
• Stop visitors from entering your property.
• Stay on your property. Don't expose others.
• Wash and disinfect clothes, footwear, and equipment that comes into contact with animals.
• Use the phone; don't visit friends with livestock.
• Cooperate with the Emergency Animal Disease Eradication Program.