Northlands Farm Infection Control Procedures

Northlands Farm

Infection Control Procedure

 

1. Personal Hygiene

 

a. Handwashing:

   - Visitors: Provide clear signage directing visitors to wash their hands with soap and water before and after touching animals, after using the restroom, and before eating. Handwashing stations should be equipped with soap, running water, and disposable towels.

   - Staff: Staff must wash their hands frequently, particularly after handling animals, waste, or cleaning products.

 

b. Hand Sanitisers:

   - Place alcohol-based hand sanitizers at strategic locations, such as entry and exit points of animal enclosures, picnic areas, and near lakes.

 

2. Protective Clothing and Equipment

 

a. Staff:

   - Wear appropriate protective clothing such as gloves, aprons, and boots when handling animals, cleaning enclosures, and dealing with waste.

   - Change and clean protective clothing regularly to avoid cross-contamination.

 

b. Visitors:

   - Provide disposable gloves for visitors, if needed, especially for those participating in hands-on activities.

 

3. Animal Health and Hygiene

 

a. Veterinary Care:

   - Ensure regular veterinary check-ups for all animals to monitor their health and prevent the spread of diseases.

   - Isolate and treat any sick animals immediately to prevent infections from spreading.

 

b. Enclosure Cleanliness:

   - Clean animal enclosures daily, removing waste, soiled bedding, and uneaten food.

   - Disinfect enclosures regularly using veterinary-approved disinfectants.

 

c. Feeding:

   - Ensure that food provided to animals is fresh and stored correctly to prevent contamination.

   - Visitors should only feed animals under staff supervision and with provided or approved food.

 

4. Environmental Hygiene

 

a. Waste Management:

   - Implement a strict waste management system for animal waste, food waste, and visitor litter.

   - Provide adequate waste bins around the farm, ensuring regular collection and disposal.

 

b. Water Quality:

   - Regularly test and treat the lakes to ensure water quality is maintained and free from harmful pathogens.

   - Prevent animals and visitors from contaminating the lakes with waste.

 

c. Cleaning Protocols

   - Develop and follow a cleaning schedule for all public areas, including restrooms, picnic areas, and pathways.

   - Use appropriate cleaning agents and disinfectants, ensuring high-contact surfaces are frequently sanitised.

 

5. Visitor Interaction with Animals

 

a. Supervision:

   - Supervise all interactions between visitors and animals to ensure proper handling and to prevent stress to the animals.

   - Limit the number of visitors in animal interaction areas to avoid overcrowding.

 

b. Educational Signage:

   - Provide educational signs about proper handwashing techniques, how to interact with animals safely, and the importance of not eating or drinking in animal areas.

 

c. Restrictions:

   - Restrict access to animal enclosures for visitors with open wounds, weakened immune systems, or those who are ill.

 

 6. Monitoring and Reporting

 

a. Health Monitoring:

   - Monitor the health of animals and visitors for any signs of illness or infection.

   - Keep detailed records of animal health, visitor incidents, and any infectious outbreaks.

 

b. Incident Reporting:

   - Develop a reporting system for staff to document any incidents of illness or infection among animals or visitors.

   - Review and investigate all incidents to identify sources of infection and implement corrective actions.

 

. Training and Education

 

a. Staff Training:

   - Provide regular training for staff on infection control practices, personal hygiene, and proper animal handling.

   - Update training materials and procedures based on the latest public health guidelines.

 

b. Visitor Education:

   - Educate visitors on the importance of hygiene and infection control through signs, brochures, and staff interactions.

   - Offer educational programs about zoonotic diseases (diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans) and how to prevent them.

 

8. Emergency Response

 

a. Outbreak Management:

   - Develop a response plan for infectious disease outbreaks, including isolation procedures, communication strategies, and coordination with local health authorities.

   - Temporarily close affected areas if necessary to contain and manage the outbreak.

 

b. Communication:

   - Inform visitors promptly about any health risks or outbreaks and the measures being taken to control them.

   - Provide updates through the farm’s website, social media, and on-site notices.