In 2007 we embarked on an initiative to raise the awareness for biosecurity issues and to assist practices countrywide to achieve Best Practice Standards. The practical and problem-solving approach has led to many positive changes in over 60% of practices. Over the past two years these practices have adopted a hygiene and infection control policy and with our assistance trained staff to implement Best Practice Guidelines and selfmonitoring. Each successive campaign has raised other issues and needs to be addressed which prompted this latest initiative - guidelines for Isolation and Terminal Disinfection.

In general veterinary practice the need arises either a few times daily or from time to time to isolate a patient who is either suspected of, or confirmed as, carrying an infectious disease. The purpose of isolation is to provide special care to the animal whilst taking the necessary precautions not to spread the disease to other animals. Unfortunately merely placing the animal in a separate cage or area does not fulfill the requirements for isolation and the many ways in which micro-organisms can be transmitted are often overlooked.

During the pilot project of inspection of veterinary clinical facilities the South African Veterinary Council inspection team noted that inadequate or the total lack of isolation facilities was one of the major areas of noncompliance with Standards set by Council.

The first step is for the practice to have a clear policy on the admission, hospitalisation (facilities), treatment and handling of a patient that poses a risk of infection to other patients either visiting or when admitted to the hospital. Staff members must then be given the necessary training to follow the correct procedures. Staff compliance must be monitored in order to determine where procedures must be refined or retraining given.

Housing: The patients should be housed in a selfcontained isolation area where there is no possibility of cross-contamination to other animals. A cage marked for this purpose or a portable cage stuck in a corner of a general ward, are not accepted isolation measures.

SAVC states that a separate room is preferable but not mandatory and that a facility outside the main building can be used, providing that it is protected from extreme elements and monitored regularly (www.sava.co.za/ vetinspections.htm)

Equipment should as far as possible be designated to the isolation area with as little as possible movement to and from the area. Provision must be made for items to be cleaned and disinfected at the entrance/exit to the area and contaminated equipment such as instruments, thermometers, stethoscopes, kidney dishes must not make their way into the general ward or consulting room.

Staff must be trained to understand the logic of the procedures and principles they are expected to follow.

They should also be made aware of the signs of infections, e.g. purulent discharges, coughing, sneezing, painful urination, diarrhea and to report their observations. Ideally a designated person should be allocated to isolation cases, but if this is not possible then a person should be given responsibly for the isolation area but other duties must exclude handling any high-risk patients such as young animals.

Hand decontamination plays a vital role in disease prevention. Lack of staff compliance poses a serious risk to hospitalised patients and this issue deserves special attention. Adequate hand washing facilities (including warm water), the use of broad spectrum products such as F10 HAND SCRUB or F10 ANTISEPTIC LIQUID SOAP, aids such as posters in strategic places, and the availability of quick-drying hand gels such as F10 HAND GEL for use between patients will go a long way to ensuring compliance with best practice.

Bedding : Bedding from a patient with an infectious disease should be pre-soaked in an effective disinfectant such as (1:250)(1:125 against Canine Parvovirus) F10 VETERINARY DISINFECTANT (Reg.No.G3070) prior to laundering with other bedding. Preferably an isolation unit should have separate laundering facilities and designated blankets, but this is not always practical.

Food and drink bowls for isolation cases must be marked as such and washed last and separate from the rest. Far too often these are merely rinsed with cold water! Biofilm build-up is likely to be found on food and drink bowls and this can harbor pathogens and cause infections. Biofilm will not be removed by ordinary cleaners and must be removed with a cleaner designed for this purpose such as F919SC BIOFILM REMOVER AND HEAVY DUTY DEGREASER. Washing with hot water and a detergent-based broad spectrum disinfectant such as (1:250) F10SCXD VETERINARY DISINFECTANT (Reg.No.G3073) will also reduce the microbial load. Dunking or overspraying with a broad spectrum and food safe hard-surface disinfectant such as (1:250) F10SC VETERINARY DISINFECTANT (Reg.No.G3070) and left to dry (to achieve maximum contact time) is recommended. Bowls must be stored only when completely dry.

Protective clothing is essential when handling patients with contagious diseases. Whilst it is preferable to use proper isolation attire such as