ACMINF502 — Manage equine biosecurity and infection control

Elements & performance criteria

Performance evidence

• carried out an equine biosecurity risk assessment for one property or work site
• documented one equine biosecurity and infection control plan including supporting documentation, covering: - movement of equines into, within and out of the work site, other properties and/or geographical areas - movement of vehicles, equipment, feed, and bedding - movement of people visiting or working at the work site - feral and domestic animals and pests - design and construction features of the work site - waste management practices - water supply and storage - emergency animal disease (EAD) action plan
• reviewed at least four different equine endemic disease outbreaks and documented a response to minimise the impacts of each outbreak
• implemented, monitored and reviewed the plan over a period of at least six months

Knowledge evidence

• potential disease or contaminant risks to an equine work site, including: - movement of equines between work sites and geographical areas, including international travel - movement of vehicles, equipment, feed, and bedding - movement of people visiting or working at the work site - feral and domestic animals and pests - design and construction features of the work site - waste management practices - disposal of dead or aborted animals and biological materials - water supply and storage
• infectious and zoonotic equine diseases, significant to biosecurity and public health safety, including those caused by: - bacteria, including equine chlamydiosis (psittacosis), strangles, listeriosis, brucellosis, salmonellosis, tetanus and rhodococcus equi - fungi, including ringworm - parasites - viruses, including Hendra virus, equine herpes virus, equine influenza, Q fever kunjin virus, Ross River virus, equine viral arteritis, and equine infectious anaemia - pests, including processionary caterpillars (itchy grubs), mosquitos, bats, rodents - significance to public safety of flying foxes and Hendra virus
• routes for disease and pathogen transmission, including: - transfer of equines from work site to another and mixing equines - dead animal disposal - people as biological sentinels - vehicles and equipment - air transmission - feed and water contamination - pests and weeds - vector transmission, including flying foxes (Hendra virus)
• risk assessment and management techniques for: - preventing controllable risks - dealing with risks beyond control - responding and recovering from an incident or crisis
• features of a biosecurity and infection control plan, including: - goals and objectives - roles and responsibilities of staff - staff vaccination/immunisation and training records - contact details for relevant veterinarians, other people and organisations - recording forms including visitor register, husbandry records, register of equine movements - EAD action plan - Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN) for specific equine diseases
• overview of infectious diseases in equines, including: - clinical signs and typical histories - incubation period and infectious period - common treatment protocols
• methods to prevent and control common diseases, including: - vaccinating equines - worming equines and other animals - controlling rodents - protecting equine feed and water from flying foxes and other pests - isolating and treating sick animals - reducing the risk of exposure to mosquitos - taking measures to manage movement in and out of potential infection areas - early veterinary intervention
• treatments for equine infectious diseases, including: - state/territory restrictions on the administration of particular drugs - use of antibiotics and microbial resistance - ensuring only veterinarian prescribed antibiotics are administered to limit microbial resistance
• common zoonotic diseases that can be spread to humans working with equines
• work activities, job roles and geographic areas most ‘at risk’ of equine disease infection
• notifiable conditions and diseases, including: - seeking advice from a veterinarian - state or territory regulations about reporting - responsibilities for reporting - reasons for reporting

Foundation skills

• Oral communication: Use active listening skills and questioning techniques to obtain and clarify information about biosecurity and infection control Explain terminology, principles and concepts related to biosecurity and infection control to convey information appropriate to audience
• Writing: Prepare succinct documents that use clear language and sequenced instructions
• Navigate the world of work: Recognise the importance of biosecurity and infection control to the work site and equine industry and the need for compliance with regulatory requirements Work independently and collectively, taking responsibility for plans, decisions and outcomes relating to biosecurity and infection control
• Interact with others: Select and use appropriate written and verbal communication practices to convey information to staff and stakeholders
• Get the work done: Plan, sequence and prioritise multiple tasks to achieve outcomes Use routine business technologies and systems to access, prepare and communicate information

Unit content sourced from training.gov.au — © Commonwealth of Australia, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Auditori is not affiliated with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

Questions about assessing ACMINF502