Veterinary Teaching Hospital Access Following Foreign Travel

Implementation Date: 2/2018

Date of Last Revision: 6/2018

Next Review Due: 7/21/2023

 

Reviewed by VTH Administrative Team: 2/2018

Reviewed by VTH Board: 3/2018

 

Reviewed by Legal Counsel: N/A

Reviewed by Biosecurity Subcommittee: 2/2018

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

Policy

Persons traveling outside of the United States or to areas known to have Foreign Animal Diseases (FAD) pose a potential hazard to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) patients and personnel. These persons are not to enter the VTH areas housing large animal patients for a period of 10 days after leaving the FAD area. Footwear and equipment used in the FAD area should not be used in the VTH until thoroughly disinfected. Current University and Agricultural Animal Care and Use Program (AACUP) policies must also be adhered to.

Guidelines

• Persons who have traveled outside the United States (U.S.) should not enter the large animal area of the VTH for a period of 10 days following entry to the U.S.
• Footwear worn outside of the U.S. should not be worn in the VTH until thoroughly disinfected.
• Persons visiting the U.S. should not wear footwear that has been worn around animals in their country of origin and clothing must be washed prior to entering the VTH
• Equipment used in the VTH should be thoroughly disinfected if used previously in an area with known or suspected FAD.

Procedure (if applicable)

• Persons traveling outside of the U.S. will self-identify to the VTH Office once returning if they have traveled to an area with FAD and been in contact with animals. These persons will avoid entering the animal housing areas of the Large Animal Clinic for 10 days. Travel must be scheduled to accommodate this restriction. 
• Shoes worn by persons traveling in areas with FAD must be disinfected with a broad spectrum disinfectant with antiviral properties.
• Equipment used in an area suspected of risk for exposure with a FAD must be disinfected with a broad spectrum disinfectant with antiviral properties prior to bringing the equipment back into the VTH.
• Persons visiting the VTH from a foreign country will not be allowed to enter areas housing large animals in the VTH within 10 days of arrival. Footwear worn in the country of origin will not be allowed. Clothing worn during travel must be washed prior to entry to the VTH

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.