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Agro-Terrorism & Biosecurity
S. Christian Mariger Ph.D.
Biological Systems Engineering
BSE 2294 Animal Structures & Environments
Goals of Biosecurity
• Protect people and
animals from
dangerous
microorganisms!
• Protect
microorganisms
and animals from
dangerous people
Bacillus Anthraces
Biological Challenges
• There are several unique challenges posed by
microorganisms that differentiate biosecurity
from other forms of high security.
– First, although certain biological agents have the
potential to cause serious harm to the health and
economy of a population if misused, all have
legitimate uses for medical, commercial, and
defensive application.
– Second, biological agents are widespread. They exist
in nature and are globally distributed in research
laboratories, collection centers, and clinical facilities.
Biosecurity in Agriculture
• Agriculture faces two threats to
biosecurity:
– Natural or unintentional transmission of
pathogens in livestock and crops.
– Agro-terrorism, intentional introduction of
natural or modified pathogens, chemical or
radiological toxins into our food production
system
9-11-01’s Impact on Biosecurity
• The tragic events of September 2001 and
the subsequent dissemination of Bacillus
anthracis through the United States postal
system underscored the dangers to
national and international security posed
by terrorist attacks, especially those
involving pathogenic microorganisms and
toxins.
The Threat of Agro-terrorism
• When a person, whether native or foreign,
attempts to endanger the agricultural food
system through:
– spreading a disease
– disrupting markets
– or causing consumer fear for food safety.
Some threats to people and
livestock
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Anthrax
Avian flu
Brucellosis
Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis (BSE-”Mad
Cow”)
Exotic Newcastle's disease
Foot and Mouth disease
Hog Cholera
Pseudo-rabies
Anthrax
• An acute infectious disease caused by the
spore-forming bacterium Bacillus
anthracis.
• Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and
domestic (cattle, sheep, goats, camels,
antelopes, and other herbivores)
• Anthrax can also occur in humans when
they are exposed to infected animals or
tissue from infected animals.
Bacillus Anthraces
• Anthrax infection can occur in three forms:
– cutaneous (skin)
– inhalation
– gastrointestinal.
• B. anthracis spores can live in the soil for many
years, and humans can become infected with
anthrax by handling products from infected
animals or by inhaling anthrax spores from
contaminated animal products. Anthrax can also
be spread by eating undercooked meat from
infected animals. It is rare to find infected
animals in the United States.
Bacillus Anthraces
– Cutanious anthrax infection: note the characteristic black
ulceration and swelling.
– This infection can be treated with gram negative and broad
spectrum antibiotics
Bacillus Anthraces
– Inhalation anthrax
infection: note the
bleeding from the
nose of this gazelle.
This infection can
be also treated with
gram negative and
broad spectrum
antibiotics, but
treatment must be
prompt.
Avian Influenza
• In 1997, the first case of direct bird-to-human
transmission of AI (H5N1) virus was documented in
Hong Kong.
• Health officials throughout Asia have reported a total of
205 confirmed human cases, with 113 resulting in death.
• While evidence of human-to-human transmission is
limited (one case was reported in Thailand and two
possible cases in Vietnam), humans coinfected with
avian influenza A and another strain could theoretically
serve as hosts for a new strain.
• The result would be a flu to which no human is immune
and no vaccine is available.
• Source Texas A&M Vet School
Avian Influenza
• The H5N1 virus presents a serious threat because wild
birds could easily infect domestic flocks, this would be a
disaster for poultry producers.
Brucellosis
• Brucellosis, also known as Undulant Fever, is a highly contagious
zoonotic disease that primarily affects domestic livestock and many
species of wildlife.
• Brucella is found worldwide; however, it is not very common in the
U.S. In the U.S, most of these cases are reported in California,
Florida, Texas, and Virginia.
• In animals, brucella is usually transmitted by contact with fluids and
discharges from infected animals.
• In humans, Infection generally occurs in one of three ways: eating or
drinking something that is contaminated with Brucella, inhalation, or
having the bacteria enter the body through skin wounds.
• Brucella can also be spread during conditions of high humidity, low
temperatures, and no sunlight; under these conditions, the bacteria
can remain viable for several months in water, manure, wool, hay,
equipment, and clothes
Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis
• BSE is caused by a prion (viral protein) that
effects the central nervous system of infected
animals.
• Transmission has been traced to animal feeds
containing animal byproducts.
• The large epidemic of bovine spongiform
encephalopathy (BSE) in the United Kingdom
has been in decline since 1992, but has spread
to other countries.
• Vigilance is required in all countries, especially
in those in which there has been within-species
recycling of ruminant feed.
BSE/CJD in humans is extremely rare
• Fewer than 150
people, globally,
have been
diagnosed with
Creutzfeldt–Jakob
Disease (CJD)
Exotic Newcastle's Disease (END)
• Exotic Newcastle Disease (END), also known as velogenic
viscerotropic Newcastle disease, is a fatal, highly contagious viral
disease that affects all species of birds.
• END is probably one of the most infectious and fatal diseases of
poultry in the world with many birds dieing before showing any
clinical signs of illness and death rates approaching 100 percent
• Transmission occurs through direct contact between healthy birds
and the bodily discharges of infected birds, specifically feces and
secretions from the nose, mouth, and eyes. Newcastle Disease can
also be spread by mechanical means, including contaminated
shoes, clothing, implements, and premises
• (Note: END is often spread by vaccination and debeaking crews,
manure haulers, rendering-truck drivers, feed-delivery personnel,
poultry buyers, egg-service workers, and poultry farm owners and
employees)
Exotic Newcastle's Disease (END)
• Due to the close
confinement of
commercially raised
birds, the disease is
able to spread rapidly.
• The most common
source of exposure for
humans in contact
with contaminated
animals or animal
products.
Foot and Mouth Disease
• Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is a severe, highly contagious
infectious viral disease of cloven-hoofed domestic and wild animals,
such as cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and water buffalo.
• This disease spreads widely and rapidly and is widely believed to be
the most economically devastating livestock disease.
• Transmission occurs through a variety of mechanisms:
–
–
–
–
Inhalation or ingestion (from infected source to susceptible animals)
Direct contact with infected animals
Mechanical fomites (e.g., vehicles, instruments, feed, etc.)
Airborne (up to 60 km overland and 300 km by sea) in temperate zones
under proper conditions (these include a high viral load, stable
atmospheric conditions, and a susceptible population downwind)
– Virus is shed in saliva, feces, urine, milk, semen, and breath for up to
four days before clinical signs appear in acutely infected animals
Foot and Mouth Disease
• Symptoms of foot and mouth disease
Hog Cholera
• Hog cholera is a highly
infectious viral disease of
swine manifested by
septicemia and
generalized hemorrhage.
• Transmission : Direct
contact with infected pigs
and ingestion of uncooked
contaminated food wastes
containing infected pork
scraps.
Pseudorabies
• Is totally unrelated to rabies. Nevertheless,
pseudorabies (PR) is the name most commonly
used in North America and other parts of the
world.
• Aujeszky's disease (AD) virus is primarily an
infection of pigs which represent its only known
reservoir host. It is sometimes transmitted
naturally from pigs to individual cattle, horses,
dogs and cats which develop nervous signs and
rapidly die. These animals are end hosts and do
not usually spread it. It has never been known to
cause disease in people.
Pseudorabies
• Pseudorabies
describes the
clinical signs of
aujeszky's in dogs.
Another early
name was 'mad
itch' reflecting the
most striking
clinical sign in
cattle.
Biosecurity
• Biosecurity for people:
– Personal hygiene (wash hands and clothing)
– Limit visitors to the farm
– Have a central point to meet others
– Insist visitors wear clean clothes/shoes
– Use footbaths around confined animals
– Know workers background
– Use caution with visitors that have recently
been to foreign countries
Biosecurity
• Biosecurity for animals:
– Routine Vaccination
– Isolate new animals
– Veterinarian-Client relationship with local
practitioner
Biosecurity
• Biosecurity for feed:
– Do not contaminate feed with manure
– Be aware of feeding ruminant protein
products to sheep, goats, and cattle
– Poultry litter/urea products may also pose a
threat consult VCE agent and suppliers for
more information
– Limit visitor access to feeds and feeding
areas
Biosecurity
• Biosecurity for public events:
– Isolate show animals before re-entry to herd
– Clean trucks and trailers of mud and manure
– Have valid health certificates for out of state
travel
Biosecurity
• Good records are essential:
– Individual animal ID
– Treatment and vaccination records
– Keep record of feed purchases and sources
– Back up computer sources with a hard copy
Biosecurity
• Surveillance:
– Check on herds/flocks regularly
– Central meeting point for visitors
– Contact law enforcement in the event of
vandalism or suspicious persons
– Contact veterinarian for unusual deaths or
problems
If you get sick!
• Help your medical professional, let them
know:
– Types of animals you have been exposed to.
– What pests (insects, mice/rats, birds,
raccoons etc.) have been identified at your
farm.
– Do you work in a dusty environment.
– Have you traveled, tell them where.
– What agricultural chemicals have you been
exposed to.
References
• Center for Disease Control (CDC):
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/index.htm
• National Agricultural Biosecurity Center (NABC):
http://nabc.ksu.edu
• Solarno, R & Estes, D. (2003) Biosecurity: Protecting
High Consequence Pathogens and Toxins Against Theft
and Diversion Available online:
www.mipt.org/pdf/Biosecurity-Protecting-HighConsequence-Pathogens.pdf