ADAPTED FROM USDA APHIS GUIDANCE MAY, 2024

BEFORE THE EVENT

• Collect sufficient contact information (i.e., email addresses and cell phone numbers) from all exhibitors to be able to rapidly communicate procedural changes, requests for information, or incidents associated with the exhibition.
• Review federal and state movement requirements (current as of 5/29/24) and work with State Animal Health Officials to develop a plan for enforcement according to Tennessee Animal Health Rules.
  • Rules and Regulations Governing Movement and Handling of Livestock at Fairs and Exhibitions
  • Federal Order Requiring Testing for and Reporting of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Livestock
  • Lactating Dairy Cattle moving interstate to an exhibition, show, or sale must have a negative H5N1 test result from samples collected within 7 days of movement. These animals may travel to their home herd using the same negative test result provided the exhibition, show, or sale does not exceed 10 concurrent days.
• Collect contact information for state animal health officials and local or state public health officials to ensure they can be reached if they are needed during an event.
  • Tennessee State Veterinarian’s Office: 615-837-5120
  • Weekend and After Hours, contact TEMA Watch Point: 615-741-0001
  • Tennessee Department of Health: 615-741-7247 (24/7 coverage)
• Ensure that a process is in place to document farms of origin of cattle as well as individual identification of cows.
  • Scan CVI/movement documents with smart phone or scanner and save in event State Animal Health Officials request copies.
• Develop and share the biosecurity plan for the event with exhibitors. The plan should:
  • Limit co-mingling of cows from different herds to the extent possible.
    • Exhibition spaces should be designed to limit nose-to -nose contact between animals with physical separation (such as tarps) provided to the extent possible.
  • Communicate expectations for milking of healthy cows while at the exhibition such as:
    • Require that all milk be disposed of, not sold or fed to other livestock;
    • Prohibition of dumping milk anywhere on the grounds outside of designated event tanks.
    • All waste milk be acidified or pasteurized before being disposed.
  • Designate isolation areas and plans for milk discard for sick cows.
    
    • Tennessee Animal Exhibition and Fair Rules require that any animal that arrives at an exhibition with signs of contagious illness must be removed from premises.
    • www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/agriculture/documents/animalhealth/2024/fairs/Fair%20Show%20Exhibition%20Regs%202024.doc

• Establish a protocol to immediately isolate sick cows who develop signs of illness after arrival on exhibition premises. Sick LDC can be evaluated on site before leaving the premises OR can be sent home and state animal health officials and your veterinarian should be contacted for follow up testing.
• Isolation areas should be located away from all other cattle/livestock and the public.
  • General public should NOT be allowed to walk through/visit isolation areas or barns. Barriers and signage should be put in place for animals sent to isolation.
• Isolation areas should not share confined air space, panels/fence lines, feeding, or watering space with other animals.
• Milk should be discarded according to state and local regulations.
• Limit direct contact with the general public to the extent possible (e.g., no “milk a cow” exhibits).
• Outline cleaning and disinfection procedures for both exhibition and isolation areas.
• Ensure handwashing stations with running water, soap, and paper towels are available near the exit of the exhibition area.
• Establish an official show veterinarian for the event to manage sick animals.
• Work with state animal health officials to understand interstate and intrastate testing and movement requirements for exhibition cattle and communicate these requirements to exhibitors.
  • Interstate movements of lactating dairy cattle must follow Federal requirements.
  • Additionally, state-specific guidance for moving cattle intrastate must be followed.

DURING THE EVENT

• Communicate with exhibitors and their family members at the start of the exhibition to:
  • Review animal disease control measures to be utilized during the exhibition, including the daily monitoring of the animals during the show and biosecurity measures.
  • Provide specific actions that may be required if a cow becomes sick at the show (per the pre-event testing and movement requirements established with state animal health officials).
• Clean and disinfect equipment frequently.
  • Use approved disinfectants that are safe for human and animal contact: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-m-registered-antimicrobial-products- label-claims-avian-influenza
• Ensure adequate ventilation and temperature control are in place.
• Post signs near the exhibition area exits that instruct visitors to wash their hands when leaving the animal area.

AFTER THE EVENT

• Clean and disinfect exhibition areas.
  • Use approved disinfectants that are safe for human and animal contact: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-m-registered-antimicrobial-products- label-claims-avian-influenza

• Hold a debrief meeting to discuss what went well and improvements for next year.
• Consult the state or local public health department if exhibitors, attendees or family members develop influenza-like illness (e.g., fever or chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, tiredness, and/or vomiting and diarrhea) or conjunctivitis (red eyes) following the event. Testing and treatment for influenza A may be available. The Tennessee Department of Health can be reached at 615-741-7247 (24/7).
  • Tell the healthcare provider about exposure to dairy cattle.
• Collaborate with TDA and TDH on a communication plan if there is an Influenza A detection linked to the event.