Biosecurity in Animal Production and Veterinary Medicine: From Principles to Practice

Globally, the way the animal production industry copes with infectious diseases is changing. The (excessive) use of antimicrobials is under debate and it is becoming standard practice to implement thorough biosecurity plans on farms to prevent the entry and spread of pathogenic micro-organisms. Not only in farm animal production, but also in facilities where companion animals are kept, including in veterinary practices and clinics, awareness of the beneficial implications of a good biosecurity plan has raised. The book Biosecurity in Animal Production and Veterinary Medicine is the first compilation of both fundamental aspects of biosecurity practices, and specific and practical information on the application of the biosecurity measures in different animal production and animal housing settings. The book starts with a general introductory chapter on the epidemiology of infectious diseases, followed by a chapter explaining the general principles of biosecurity. Specific topics of biosecurity, including rodent and insect control, cleaning and disinfection, hygiene and decontamination of feed, drinking water and air, and measuring the biosecurity status of farms, are detailed in dedicated chapters. Explanations on the relevance of the implementation of biosecurity plans in order to improve animal health and performance and reduce antimicrobial usage are described, and a chapter on ways to motivate farmers to implement a biosecurity plan has been included. Practical chapters deal with biosecurity in the poultry, pig and cattle industry, horse facilities, dog kennels, veterinary practices and clinics and laboratory animal facilities.The book is a practical guide that can be used by farm and animal facility managers, consultants, veterinarians, animal caretakers, and people with an interest in prevention of diseases in animals. Academics and students will benefit from the book because it contains all relevant information on animal biosecurity.

Jeroen Dewulf serves as a full professor in Veterinary Epidemiology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Ghent University. His primary research interests include antimicrobial use and resistance in animals, as well as the prevention of epidemic and endemic diseases with an emphasis on biosecurity. He is passionate about turning data in to veterinary expertise and policy for the benefit of animal and human health. Jeroen Dewulf is a prolific author with (co-)authorship of over 400 A1 publications in the field. Recently, he co-founded the spin-off company Biocheck.Gent and coordinates the EU research consortium BIOSECURE, which focuses on cutting-edge research in biosecurity in terrestrial animal production.

Prof Dr. Filip Van Immerseel is professor at the Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Ghent University in Belgium. Being a scientist with a research group on host-bacterium interactions in animals, he has specific interest in prophylaxis of infectious diseases. His group already published over 175 international papers on intestinal health and diseases in production animals and is involved in a variety of research projects on alternatives to antibiotics. He is lecturer of Biosecurity and Hygiene for veterinary students.