Biosecurity: Animal Collections

Question 1

Biosecurity Definition on a national context

Answer 1

the management of risks to the economy, the environment, and the community, diseases entering, emerging, establishing or spreading

Question 2

Biosecurity in zoos

Answer 2

Managing risks associated with infectious diseases transmitted from:

Animals to humans and vice versa
Anthroponosisinfectious disease of humans that can be transmitted naturally to other animals.
Primates susceptible to herpes simplex, normal cold.
Ferrets - flue virus
Wildlife/zoo to domestic animals and vice versa;

Between groups of animals

Question 3

Principles of biosecurity in zoos

Answer 3

Good biosecurity aims to prevent:
the introduction of infectious disease and contaminants to animals

the spread of disease from an infected area to an uninfected area

the spread of infectious disease from animal collections to animals outside the area

the spread of infectious disease from animals to humans or humans to animals.

Question 4

Biosecurity concerns in zoos

Answer 4

Hendra virus - a fatal zoonotic disease, transmitted from flying-foxes to horses and humans
the disease does not affect the wildlife host but can be transmitted by them to a domestic animal and to humans.
Toxoplasmosis and koala chlamydia disease - from feral or domestic animals to wildlife.

Bat lyssavirus and Salmonella infection in reptiles

Chytrid fungus, a disease of frogs linked to the trade of amphibians for pet.

Rabies from bats – zoo bats will have been tested.

Malaria in penguins.
Q fever – affect different species including kangaroos

Leptospirosis – affect different species including rodents

Psittacosis/Parrot fever/ornithosis - a disease of birds, especially parrots, pegions, gulls and other species of birds.
Caused by Chlamydia psittaci

Dermatophytoses (ringworm).

Mycobacterium marinum infection - a disease of aquarium fish.

Herpes simplex viruses from primates

Question 5

poor biosecurity practice consequences

Answer 5

Human-induced disease outbreaks due to poor biosecurity practices in wild animal populations has been reported

Not changing nitrile gloves between processing wood frog tadpoles and co-housing individuals increased pathogen transmission and subsequent diseased-induced mortality caused ranavirus (Gray et al., 2018).

Question 6

Route for diseasetransmission

Answer 6

Movement of staff, visitors, contractors and deliveries Animals - domestic, stray, feral and pest animals.
Tools, equipment, clothing and vehicles 
Biological specimens and waste products 
Feed and other consumables 
Source of water and food supply  
Waste management

Question 7

Biosecurity practices

Answer 7

Hygiene practices – hand, complete shower facilities, equipment and environmental hygiene.

Cleaning and disinfection
transport carriers, nets, gloves etc
Using the right disinfectant and appropriate to species. Birds can be sensitive aerosol sprays.
Cryptosporidium, bacterial spores such as Clostridial spores and Mycobacteria are resistant to many commonly used disinfectant

Appropriate personal protective equipment
double gloving in some cases
Gloves whilst handling hedge Hodge - ringworm
Uniform for workers to prevent cross contamination.
Quarantine
animals entering a collection must undergo quarantine
internal, import and export
Balai Directive - rules for importing, exporting or moving live animals, for conservation or display.
appropriate facilities and protocols
allow for appropriate vaccinations and diagnostic testing (e.g., heartworm)

Movement restrictions for animal and people
keepers working with species specific

Vaccination
Workers against at-risk diseases
Vaccination programs for carnivores, primates, equids, artiodactylids, and birds
Pest/vector control

cockroaches are intermediate hosts for GI parasites of primates and birds; rodents can harbour and spreadListeria,Salmonella, andLeptospiraspp.

pigeons, geese, ducks, and starlings are potential reservoirs for avian diseases

Vectors such as mosquito can cause avian malaria in penguins – need for treatment of water and mosquito nets.

Question 8

Examples of Biohazards in lab animals

Answer 8

Viruses
FMD, Avian Influenza, Blue Tongue Hog Cholera, African Swine Fever.
Bacteria
Salmonella, Bacillus anthracis Coxiella burnetti
Parasites
Cryptosporidium spp. Eimeria spp. Echinococcus spp

Fungi
Dermatophilus congolensis

Question 9

Impact of poor biosecurity in lab animal unit

Answer 9

Poor biosecuritypractices can increase pathogen transmission
Human Safety
exposure to infectious biological agents. Potential for theft and misuse.
Environment, Animals & Plants
release of biological agents
Security of Valuable Biological Materials
misappropriation biological materials
Quality of science
integrity of scientific work - cross contamination
Stakeholder confidence in the Organisation/professional performance
not perceived as meeting best practice