Guarding Against Contagious Livestock Diseases from Farm Visitors

Outbreaks of dangerous and contagious livestock diseass could be economically devastating to the United States. Foreign animal diseases like foot-and-mouth disease, hog cholera and African swine fever are a threat to U.S. livestock.

It is important to understand how certain activities increase the chances of these diseases. The introduction of livestock is the single greatest threat for exposing a herd, but pathogens can be introduced in other ways. The risk for disease posed by visitors should be assessed critically.