Subject to modification by the Biosecurity Subcommittee of the CVM Occupational Health and Safety Committee without approval.

Printable PDF: Veterinary Teaching Hospital Access Following Foreign Travel Policy

Policy

Persons traveling outside of the United States or to areas known to have Foreign Animal Diseases (FAD) pose a potential hazard to Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) patients and personnel. Persons who have traveled outside of the United States (U.S.) shall check the WAHIS and CDC status of the area(s) they are returning before entering VTH areas housing large animal patients or zoo/wildlife patient areas (South Clinic). This would include any other areas where there are susceptible populations. If exposure to a FAD is a concern, a 5-day quarantine is required.

Footwear and equipment used in the FAD area should not be used in the VTH until thoroughly disinfected. Current University and Animal Care Program-Agriculture (ACP-Ag) policies must also be followed.

Areas with FADs are not clearly defined and change over time.  Current information on travel health risks can be found by country and/or disease at:

• Foreign Animal Diseases -  https://wahis.woah.org/#/home

Guidelines

• Footwear worn outside of the U.S. should not be worn in the VTH until thoroughly disinfected with a broad-spectrum disinfectant with antiviral properties.
• Equipment used during travel should be thoroughly disinfected before returning it to the US.
• Check the country of travel for FADs before you go at  https://wahis.woah.org/#/home
• Additional information is available at https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/one-health/preparing-international-travel

Procedure (if applicable)

Procedures for those coming to or returning to the United States after international travel.

Information Check

• Check the WAHIS and CDC status of the area(s) you are traveling before departing and before returning home.   
• All personnel (faculty, staff, students) are responsible for informing the Director of the VTH and the College Safety Officer of international travel that may pose foreign animal disease risks.
• If there are no health or FAD warnings in the area of travel, no further action is required.

Clean and Disinfect

• Shower/bathe, wash hair, clean fingernails, and clear nasal passages (blowing nose) after leaving the area with possible FADs.
• Leave behind any equipment or clothing/shoes, if possible.
• Launder all clothing worn during travel before returning to the U.S.  (Use the hottest water setting)
• Clean debris from shoes/equipment and disinfect them if they must return with you.  Use a broad-spectrum disinfectant with antiviral properties.

Quarantine

• If the international travel was in an area with a FAD and there was contact with animals, you need to self-report to the VTH Office.  These persons will avoid entering the animal housing areas of the Large Animal Clinic, South Clinic, Midwest Equine, and the Research Farm for a period of 5 days.
• The restriction/quarantine period begins at the time of the last possible exposure to infectious agents.  That could include direct exposure to potentially infected animals, or by handling potentially contaminated specimens, equipment, or clothing (laundry).
• To calculate the appropriate dates for returning to areas with susceptible species take the date of last exposure and add (5+1).
• The CDC/USDA Federal Select Agent Program requires a personal quarantine policy that is generally 5 days for anyone working with ASF, CSF, FMD, HPAI, Rinderpest, and virulent Newcastle: https://www.selectagents.gov/regulations/policy/personal-quarantine.htm.  Check the website for additional information.

Visitors, and Tours

Personnel hosting visitors (visiting faculty, guests) must discuss any foreign travel in the 5 days prior to arrival to the VTH with the guest.  The host is responsible for ensuring the policy is followed.

Definitions (if applicable)

Broad Spectrum Disinfectant with antiviral properties – aldehyde based (formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde), sodium hypochlorite based (bleach), oxidizing agents (hydrogen peroxide, Virkon S)

Foreign Animal Disease – A foreign animal disease (FAD) is a disease caused by a transmissible infectious agent, currently not found within the U.S., with the potential for rapid spread, the introduction of which would seriously affect access of U.S. animals and animal products to foreign markets.

Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) – The collective clinical services of the Large Animal Clinic, Midwest Equine, the Small Animal Clinic, and the Veterinary Medicine South Clinic.