July 13, 2021 | Contact: State Veterinarians Office (360) 902-1878
Biosecurity Resources and Recommendations for Fairs and Exhibitions
The barn doors have fully re-opened again for many Washington Fairs and Exhibitions. The same preventative measures we used to control COVID-19 in humans such as social distancing, hand washing, frequent cleaning/ disinfection and current vaccination also apply to animals to protect animal health at the fair. We can all start by following biosecurity principles and keeping ourselves and our animals one cow apart! COVID-19 taught us a lot about disease transmission and prevention in humans. At this time there is no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading SARS-CoV-2 to humans, but there are many other diseases of concern at the fair. Early detection and removal of a sick animal is very important to protect animal welfare and public health. One way to detect disease early is to use a rectal thermometer to take and chart temperatures and chart those numbers to looks for trends. Often increases in rectal temperatures will proceed any signs of illness. Notify your fair veterinarian or superintendent immediately.
Before the Fair
Disease prevention starts before exhibitors leave home. Only healthy animals should be entered in the fair. You should also:
- Make sure veterinary health inspections and vaccinations are current for all animals you take.
- Follow veterinary guidelines on vaccination and withdrawal times.
- Clean and disinfect tools, equipment, and trailers, since these items could carry disease.
- Take and record rectal temperatures for one week prior to the fair to identify “normal”.
During the Fair
The fair environment can be stressful for animals, making them more likely to become sick. To limit this risk, follow these guidelines:
- Limit contact between animals.
- Limit contact between people and animals.
- Avoid sharing equipment with other exhibitors.
- Change your fair clothing, including shoes, before going home.
- Take and record rectal temperatures daily and monitor for changes in trends or behavior. Notify your veterinarian or superintendent with concerns.
After the Fair
After the Fair If your animal returns from the fair, here are steps to protect your farm from disease.
- Keep animals returning from the fair isolated for at least 30 days.
- When doing chores, always care for your fair animals last.
- Watch all your animals daily for signs of illness including lack of appetite, fever, or changes in behavior. Contact your vet immediately.