3.2 DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLANNING – AN
EXAMPLE OF DISEASE RISK MANAGEMENT
Author (template) S.Sanderson. Authors (Content): Delegates of the PASA 2008
Vet Workshop
Disease of Concern: TUBERCULOSIS
Aim: to decrease likelihood to introduction of tuberculosis to or dissemination
from a PASA sanctuary.
Principles: Control measures designed to reduce the risk of transmission. Routes of
possible transmission and contingencies undertaken are listed below.
Main
Routes of
transmissi
on
Contingencies to reduce risk of transmission to/from
Sanctuary animals.
Wildlife
and
Domestic
animals
Aim: reduce contact between wild animals and sanctuary
animals:

Domestic cattle around the sanctuary can be vectors.

Wildlife mammal vectors are likely and will vary between
sanctuaries
Preventative measures:

Prevent contact between primate’s enclosures and domestic
cattle, not allowing them to graze in the same area.

Minimise contact between wildlife mammals and primates as
much as is practical
New
Arrivals
Aim: Prevent introduction of infected animals.
Control measures:








If possible, ask for certified diagnostic test before arrival.
Obtain as much history on tuberculosis in all populations,
from the area of origin, as is possible
Quarantine
Different animal care staff from the sanctuary should
administer quarantine.
Length: 90 days to identify classical symptoms
Intradermal skin test: Two tests to be undertaken during
quarantine, 42 days apart, using Mammalian old tuberculin,
avium and bovine tubuerculin
Utilise serology rapid test if available
Thoracic radiology, if possible.
Sputum and tracheal lavage, if possible. Definitely take
tracheal levage for culture if other testing reveals a possible
positive.
Food
Aim: Prevent entry of the disease in infected food products.
Food items are not a common source of TB.
Control measures:
1. Controlled origin of the food, specially the green that we often
offer to our animals
Fomites
(vehicles,
equipment,
crates,
clothing
and shoes
etc.)
Faeces /
waste
food/
soiled
bedding
etc.
Aim: Prevent disease being transferred to animals, their food
or anything they may come in direct contact with.
Control measures should disease be widespread (outbreak):
1. Footwear disinfected to all of trucks and cars (wheels and
wheels arches) that enter to the quarantine and the sanctuary
area.
Control measures in the event of outbreak:
1. Wasting products form suspected animals or enclosures must
be packet and sealed carefully and separately form others
products
2. Daily disinfection of soil with approved products for MT
Infected
Humans
Prevention of transfer of a disease strain that can infect both
humans and animals.

We would like to make a difference between working staff and
visitors

Efforts should concentrate on keeping our staff healthy.
Recommendations
Visitors:





In case of outbreak restrict access to the centre.
Always wear facial masks when entering the centre
Small questionnaire about health status to be undertaken
Prevent visitor access if exhibiting respiratory symptoms.
Not less than 10-15 meters between animals and visitors
Staff:


Prophylactic health programme: In vitro Quick test and Test
de Mantoux.
Work wearing facial masks and gloves.


Additional points:
These contingency measures are liable to revision as the threat changes and
our knowledge of the disease and its control develops. They will be reviewed on a
regular basis (minimum monthly).
The contingency of how we would operate and provide care for our animals
in the event of a human pandemic is also not covered within this document.
Summary table:
Measures in place
(DATE):

Test of intradermal reaction against M.tuberculosis and
bovis

Quarantine
Sanctuary Dependant
Measures to be put
into effect ASAP:
Timing to be supplied
as soon as they are
known.
Measures to be put in
place if outbreak:
Sanctuary dependant

Isolation the sanctuary and positive animals

Stop animal movements

Check all the collection with quick test and intradermal
reaction (M. Tuberculosis, avium and bovis)

Information the authorities

Possible sacrifice of positive animals
2. Disease of Concern: HMPV (Human Metapneumonia Virus).
Main Routes of
transmission
Wildlife

humans

primates
Contingencies to reduce risk of transmission to/from
Sanctuary animals.
Aim: reduce contact between humans/other primates
and sanctuary animals:

Staff

Visitors

Free-ranging primates
Preventative measures:

1. Prevent staff with clinical signs of respiratory
disease from working with sanctuary animals; wear
masks; hygiene (e.g. hand washing); staff health
programme (including immediate family if possible)
including screen for HMPV. New staff/volunteers to
work separately from animals for one week, monitoring
for clinical signs of respiratory disease (i.e. same
measures as for visitors).

2. Minimum distance for visitors to sanctuary
animals (at a ‘safe’ distance to reduce transmission of
disease); prevent ill visitors (with respiratory disease)
from entering sanctuary; wear masks.

3. Biosecurity – fencing to prevent access to
sanctuary by free-ranging primates.
New Arrivals
Aim: Identify infected animals (could be carriers).
Control measures:

Quarantine – refer to PASA’s minimum
standards for quarantine.

While in quarantine, run test for disease
(laryngopharyngeal dry swab for PCR, can be stored at
room temperature).

Monitor for clinical signs of HMPV during
quarantine & after mixing with other sanctuary animals.

Optimise husbandry of all sanctuary animals to
reduce risk of other diseases that may predispose
respiratory infection (e.g. bacterial pneumonias) that may
result in severe disease in conjunction with HMPV.
Food
Aim: Reduce risk of entry of the disease in infected food
products.
Control measures:

Staff & visitors to wear facemask in food
storage/preparation areas.

Humans not permitted in food areas if have signs
of respiratory disease.
Fomites
(vehicles,
equipment,
crates, clothing
and shoes etc.)
Faeces / waste
food/ soiled
bedding etc.
Aim: Prevent disease being transferred to animals, their
food or anything they may come in direct contact with.
Control measures should disease be widespread
(outbreak):

Instigate quarantine in enclosure containing
outbreak: increase biosecurity & personal protective
equipment (i.e. facemasks, foot baths/clothing change
between enclosures).

Use separate cleaning equipment, food bowls etc
in enclosure with outbreak (to reduce risk to animals in
other enclosures).

If possible, separate staff to deal with animals in
outbreak enclosure. If this is not possible, deal with this
group after others in sanctuary.
Control measures in the event of outbreak:


Infected
Humans
Observe quarantine.
As for fomites: safe disposal of material from
enclosure with outbreak.
Prevention of transfer of a disease strain that can infect
both humans and animals.

In the event of a human pandemic with a virus that
is capable of causing serious disease in our animals,
prevention is likely to be impossible.
Recommendations
Efforts should concentrate on keeping our staff healthy.
Additional points:

These contingency measures are liable to revision as the threat changes and
our knowledge of the disease and its control develops. They will be reviewed on a
regular basis (minimum monthly).

The contingency of how we would operate and provide care for our animals
in the event of a human pandemic is also not covered within this document.
Summary:
(Limbe Wildlife Sanctuary)
Measures in place
(DATE):

Staff health programme e.g. ill staff not to
work with animals
Quarantine of new arrivals

Measures to be put
into effect ASAP:

Timing to be
supplied as soon as
they are known.
Enforce guidelines regarding wearing of
facemasks by staff & visitors; enforce strict
sanitation.

Evaluate ‘safe’ distance between visitors
& sanctuary animals, enforce this distance.

Include screening for HMPV in staff
health programme & of new arrivals of animals.

Screen (quiz) visitors regarding
respiratory disease.
Measures to be put
in place if outbreak:
Quarantine of affected enclosure(s).


Closely monitor animals & humans for
signs of respiratory disease (enabling rapid
treatment of animals with disease).
3. Disease of Concern: EBOLA
Main
Routes of
transmissi
on
Wildlife
Contingencies to reduce risk of transmission to/from
Sanctuary animals.
Aim: reduce contact between wild animals and sanctuary
animals:
Define sensible species: Primates, antelopes, elephants,
humans…
Define potential carriers: fruit bats, rodents
Preventative measures:
 Prevent animals to enter the sanctuary:

Fruit bats: light where bats stay (in facilities), close
potential entrances in the buildings; stock food in a secure
building (‘bats and rodents proof’)

For primates and wildlife: buffer zone around the
sanctuary and enclosures, double enclosures
 Stop the walks in the forest with your primates
 Health monitoring of wild populations by experts
New
Arrivals
Aim: Prevent introduction of infected animals.
Control measures:

“Pre-quarantine”, stabilisation of 2 weeks for any new
arrival animal

Quarantine of 3 months with really strict hygiene
protocol for staff dedicated to the quarantine, equipment
dedicated to the quarantine area (same for pre-quarantine),
clothing, foot bath, masks…
 Blood testing and any test required
 Suspension of new arrivals
Food
Aim: Prevent entry of the disease in infected food products.
Control measures:

Storage in a really secure building, where no bats or
rodents can enter
 Disinfection of food prior to feeding
Fomites
(vehicles,
equipment,
crates,
clothing
and shoes
etc.)
Aim: Prevent disease being transferred to animals, their food
or anything they may come in direct contact with.
Control measures should disease be widespread (outbreak):
 No public access to the sanctuary
 No transfer of staff between different zones

Equipments dedicated to each zone, disinfected as often
as possible

Keep one minimal team on site that do not go outside
anymore
 Lock the animals in indoor facilities
Faeces /
waste
food/
soiled
bedding
etc.
Control measures in the event of outbreak:

All waste from enclosures will be bagged and sealed in
dedicated plastic bags. These will be spread down with
disinfectant on collection, and disposed to landfill as usual

In case of suspect death: special equipment (high
security) for people manipulating the body, necropsy to collect
samples, and incineration of body and spread down with lime
Infected
Humans
Prevention of transfer of a disease strain that can infect both
humans and animals.





In the event of a human pandemic with a virus that is
capable of causing serious disease in our animals, prevention
is likely to be impossible.
Recommendations
Efforts should concentrate on keeping our staff healthy.
No visits from outside
Isolation of people in the sanctuary, nobody goes outside
(except people to get food for everybody, who get disinfected
– as well as vehicles and equipment – when they enter the
sanctuary)
Vaccination of people and animals if and when available
Additional points:

These contingency measures are liable to revision as the threat changes and
our knowledge of the disease and its control develops. They will be reviewed on a
regular basis (minimum monthly).

The contingency of how we would operate and provide care for our animals
in the event of a human pandemic is also not covered within this document.
Summary:
Measures in place
(DATE):
Measures to be put
into effect ASAP:
Timing to be
supplied as soon as
they are known.

Place new arrivals in isolation for 2 weeks with
really high standard hygiene condition, then in
quarantine

Store food in a really secure building and disinfect
food before feeding

Prevent contact between wildlife and primates of
your sanctuary (buffer zone, double enclosure…)

Prevent fruit bats and rodents from having any
contact with the food for the primates
Measures to be put
in place if outbreak:

Nobody
(humans and animals) enter the sanctuary

Minimal team of staff stays in the sanctuary all the
time

masks…

Use foot bath,
Only essential vehicles to enter the sanctuary
(must be washed down and disinfected first)

animals in indoors facilities
Lock the
4. Disease of Concern: Encephalomyocarditis Virus
Main
Routes of
transmissi
on
Contingencies to reduce risk of transmission to/from
Sanctuary animals.
Wildlife
Aim: reduce contact between wild animals and sanctuary
animals:
Rodents mainly
Potentially many mammals, birds and arthropods
Preventative measures:
Hygiene, traps, pest control, removal of food of the feeding
points, cleaning and routine disinfection, cats, vaccination
New
Arrivals
Aim: Prevent introduction of infected animals.
Control measures:
Quarantine, vaccination
Food
Aim: Prevent entry of the disease in infected food products.
Control measures:
Wash, disinfect fruit, vegetables. Vermin proof food storage.
Food storage room with easy to clean surfaces.
Fomites
(vehicles,
equipment,
crates,
clothing
and shoes
Aim: Prevent disease being transferred to animals, their food
or anything they may come in direct contact with.
Control measures should disease be widespread (outbreak):
Food baths, shoe changes, hand washing.
etc.)
Faeces /
waste
food/
soiled
bedding
etc.
Control measures in the event of outbreak:
Infected
Humans
Prevention of transfer of a disease strain that can infect both
humans and animals.
Burying organic waste, burning of bedding

In the event of a human pandemic with a virus that is
capable of causing serious disease in our animals, prevention
is likely to be impossible.
Recommendations
Efforts should concentrate on keeping our staff healthy.
Health awareness, general personal hygiene, education.
Minimise contact with the animals and staff
Additional points:

These contingency measures are liable to revision as the threat changes and
our knowledge of the disease and its control develops. They will be reviewed on a
regular basis (minimum monthly).

The contingency of how we would operate and provide care for our animals
in the event of a human pandemic is also not covered within this document.
Summary:
Measures in place
(DATE):
Quarantine
Pest control
Hygiene
Measures to be put
into effect ASAP:
Timing to be
supplied as soon as
they are known.
Vaccination
Measures to be put
in place if outbreak:
Epidemiological study
Isolation of healthy from non-healthy animals