Many people are unaware of their role in passing diseases to animals, while people walking dogs or even picnickers could help prevent the spread of harmful pathogens. or signup to continue reading Research presented at a global biosecurity conference in Sydney on Friday also highlighted large gaps in understanding of biosecurity, despite the continuing threats of COVID-19, bird flu, rabies and African swine flu. Veterinary epidemiology lecturer Maria Rodrigues da Costa said polling of people in 47 countries indicated low awareness about biosecurity and the role individuals played.
Three in 10 people had not heard of biosecurity while another four in 10 knew of it but could not explain it. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability of animals to spread disease to humans was well known. But .
When it came to handwashing, 64 per cent of people did so after - but not before - touching farm animals, meaning they were probably not considering their impact on transmitting threatening diseases to livestock, Dr da Costa said. She said research often focused on farmers, veterinarians and specific measures to contain disease spread. "But what about the people who walk with their dogs, go into fields, who take picnics .
.. do they know they have a role to play in this transmission?" Dr da Costa told the conference.
Biosecurity is the way humans stop the introduction and spread of harmful organisms such as viruses, bacteria, animals, plants, pathogens and insects into an area. Its i.