General Biosecurity Guidelines

For the purposes of these guidelines, biosecurity includes all practices intended to prevent the introduction and minimize the spread of infectious disease agents in equine populations.

Veterinarians oversee the health of equids in many contexts where infectious disease is likely to be introduced and spread, including veterinary clinics, equine event facilities, and stables where there is frequent movement of equids on and off the premises.

This document provides step-by-step instruction for practitioners striving to develop effective biosecurity and outbreak response protocols for their clients and practices. It is important that protocols be updated regularly on the basis of information gained in the wake of managing a prior incident or new findings pertaining to specific infectious diseases.