Important Principles For The Prevention Of Infectious Diseases

6.6 IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES FOR

THE PREVENTION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES

1. Nutritious food, clean water, adequate shelter
These will help keep an animal strong and more able to resist infections.
2. Sanitation & Pasture Rotation
This is as important as nutrition. Germs and parasite eggs can survive for long periods of time in old, moist manure and other dark, damp, dirty places. Many health problems can be prevented by providing a clean, dry environment with adequate sunlight. The following measures can also help prevent disease by improving sanitation:
 Locate pens and pastures on high well-drained land.
 Rotate the pens and pastures often and leave them unused for at least one month; or plant crops on them. When the land is left empty, particularly with exposure to sunlight, the immature parasites in the soil dry-out and die.
 Place nursing mothers and babies in "fresh" areas where other animals have not been for several months, as babies are most susceptible to disease.
 Keep food and water clean. If feeding areas are dirty, the animals will take in germs and parasite eggs when they eat and drink. Therefore, avoid putting food on the ground or using troughs in which the animals can step or lie. Use feed and water troughs that keep the food and water clean and prevent the animal from laying or climbing in the trough.
 Clean permanent buildings often with soap and water and let the surface dry. Bedding material should also be removed and replaced with clean bedding often. Whenever animals leave a farm, the buildings should be cleaned and left empty for one to three months before housing new animals.

 Move temporary buildings often. This is the great advantage of temporary buildings or pens. Simply move the building or pen to a fresh area and expose the previous area to sunlight and drying, so that germs and parasite eggs are killed.	Mobile Poultry Pen
 Use disinfectants correctly. Some people use disinfectants, like phenol or chlorine, as a part of their sanitation program to kill germs in buildings, pens, and troughs. Disinfectants are most effective when the place is cleaned beforehand of all organic matter and then rinsed with disinfectant. Some disinfectants can be poisonous, however, and must be used properly to avoid harming people and livestock. Disinfected food and water troughs should be rinsed before re-use.
3. Use good vaccines that are known to be effective against important diseases in the area.
4. Treat regularly for parasites. A good parasite prevention, control and treatment program is critical for good livestock health and production.
5. Use proper chemicals and medicines to control intermediate hosts like insects, ticks, mites and snails. Use them in a manner that does not harm the environment.