Lorraine Stevenson-Hall
Biosecurity and Stakeholder Relations Lead
Lorraine brings 20 years of experience in the agri-food sector to her role at Farm Health Guardian, specifically in managing biosecurity and traceability initiatives for provincial and national commodity associations. As Biosecurity and Stakeholder Relations Lead, Lorraine collaborates with stakeholders to ensure that Farm Health Guardian brings the best biosecurity features to our clients and is on the leading edge of biosecurity trends and protocols. With a sharp focus on delivering results, Lorraine also manages research/product development projects with stakeholder organizations in Canada, including government funded projects.
Since the outbreak of HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) in US dairy cattle that started in March 2024, there have been 1,082 confirmed cases across 18 states. Recognized transmission links, as stated in a USDA report, included animal movement, shared vehicles and workers who move between farms.
While there have been no confirmed cases in the past 30 days, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says that biosecurity is still the best defense against HPAI in dairy cattle.
Farm connections a risk factor
The USDA data collected from 54% of the premises confirmed positive three months into the outbreak showed of affected farms, over 50% shared trucks and trailers prior to the onset of clinical signs. And over 50% of the farms that shared vehicles did not clean them prior to use.
Additional risk factors for transmission between facilities included shared personnel between premises; shared, uncleaned vehicles and equipment between premises; and frequent visitors on/off premises.
Over 50% of affected farms shared trucks and trailers prior to the onset of clinical signs.
So now what?
The USDA data and the highly connected nature of our farm networks means that and people and vehicle movements between farms area bigger risk for animal disease transmission than we realize.
With the immediate alarm about HPAI in dairy cattle seeming to be in the rearview mirror, what can we do to help ensure that there’s not another outbreak and protect other production animals? While the points below are not a comprehensive biosecurity plan, it may be prudent to focus on connections between farms. This includes:
- Ensuring trucks and trailers follow biosecurity rules
- Validating truck and trailer washes
- Ensuring health status and downtime requirements are followed
- Ensuring deliveries are not a source of contamination
- Restricting visitors and keep an electronic visitor log
- Monitoring people and vehicle (trucks & trailers) movements on and off the farm so that if disease is suspected, immediate action can be taken
Farm Health Guardian digital biosecurity automates and simplifies all of the above action points.
To learn more, visit farmhealthguardian.com.
