Animal Decontamination

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IAFC On Scene: February 15, 2009

With the increasing threat of a chemical or biological attack on people, livestock and food supplies, the largely agricultural area of South Central Pennsylvania has determined that the subsequent decontamination of its large animal population could become a major concern.

The agriculture industry is subject to contamination by deliberate or accidental acts involving hazardous materials or WMD. There are large numbers of dairy cattle, swine and horses, as well as goats, sheep and camelids, across the area. There is also the problem of the contamination of companion animals and sheltering them during an evacuation.

To address the animal decontamination concerns, three exercises were held in York County, utilizing the resources of Penn State Extension, the York County Animal Response Team (CART), the York County Decon Strike Team and the York County Hazardous Materials Team with the support of the South Central Task Force. Several lessons have been learned and a number of areas for improvement discussed:

• Animal decontamination must be organized using the incident command system (ICS); all responders must be trained and be comfortable working in ICS.
• Communication of incident information must flow up and down the command chain and be distributed to all participating organizations.
• High-visibility vests delineating ICS positions add to managing the incident and safety.
• An overall safety officer, preferably with some knowledge of animals, is vital.
• Personnel at the incident trained in the behavior and handling of large animals are critical to both animal and responder safety.
• Accountability must be established as for any emergency incident.
• Working with large animals can be very dangerous and the safety of all on the scene is a major concern. Some have recommended the use of hockey player padding to protect workers.
• For participant welfare, it’s recommended that an EMS unit be onsite to handle unexpected injuries.
• A large-animal veterinarian should also be at the scene to triage and treat any sick or injured animals and monitor the general health of those decontaminated. The veterinarian will assist in the decision to dispose of terminal animals and perform euthanasia.

It’s necessary to have properly identified personnel directing traffic, people and animals. Use traffic cones and barrier tape to mark areas and lanes. In addition, law enforcement must be involved to provide overall vehicle-traffic management and site security. Uninvolved people should not be permitted at the site.

Site management will be a major concern. Check-in areas may be needed for:

• People
• Small, companion animals
• Large animals
• Animals that can’t be decontaminated and will have to be euthanized (sent to a prearranged containment area)

In every incident, animals will need to be identified for ownership. It’s recommended a digital photo be taken of each animal upon arrival for proof of ownership.

Arriving animals will need to be triaged, monitored and sent to a clean or contaminated holding pen to await shelter or decontamination.

Additional personnel may be needed to monitor arriving animals to determine the level and type of contaminant. Communicate this information to the Incident Commander so proper decontamination can be prepared.

Large animals such as horses and cattle must be removed individually from their trailers for assessment to ensure responder safety. Swine, poultry, goats and sheep may need to be evaluated on the trailer. This decision has to be made jointly by IC, the decon strike-team leader and an animal behavior/handling specialist.

The overall approach to the problem has been to employ the decon strike team’s mass decon procedures to animals. Depending on the contaminant, runoff may be a concern. Consider the lay of the land when locating the decon line to avoid secondary contamination. Several issues were noted in using a decontamination line between two fire apparatus:

• Containment fencing is required through the line.
• The containment fencing should be padded at the top rail.
• Non-slip surfaces are needed for animals on paved surfaces.
• A pivoting gate or herding boards, preferably solid panels, should be used to assist animals through the decon shower.
• Engine exhaust should be directed out of the shower area.
• All removable items should be taken off the fire apparatus; for example, a “spooked” horse rearing could get caught in a mounted ladder.
• Preferably the pump panels are to the outside, but if not any outside attachments should be removed.
• Padding and solid panels should be placed in key areas to prevent rearing animals from harming themselves.

For the showers, side mounted nozzles were used as well as an overhead nozzle mounted on a ladder. The decon strike team devised a plywood mounting bracket to fit between the ladder rungs for stable nozzle placement. A cellar nozzle may also be satisfactory for this operation.

Shower issues include:

• It will be best to pre-wet animals with a sprayer or garden hose (like rain) before entering the shower to decrease the possibility of shock.
• The water pressure needs to be adequate, but high volume, lower pressure will be best.
• Trained handlers will need to escort the animal since many are panicked by the inability to see through the water curtain.
• Prey animals feel threatened by streams to the sides and underbelly; consider elevated angular streams shoulder level or above.
• Horses or any rearing animal can be distressed by elevated streams as they naturally fear being jumped on by predators. Apply water at the shoulder level first. Any rearing animal could bolt and strike its head on the overhead nozzle or become entangled in the fencing or apparatus.

A number of personnel will be needed for the animal decontamination operation. Firefighters will be of great assistance in scrubbing animals if required by the contaminant and in rinsing. A mild pet shampoo can be used if available.

Two people must be assigned to each mid-sized and larger animal to direct them through the shower. A major problem in this area is the lack of firefighters’ knowledge of animal behavior. It is imperative that a person knowledgeable in animal behavior directs the movement through the decon shower. A firefighter may be enlisted to assist by herding from behind. With two people per animal, it would be possible to cross control the animal in the shower. Issues with personnel include:

• Rain gear can keep people working around the shower dry.
• PPE for CART personnel entering the shower.
• Depending on the hazards, SCBA and training for CART personnel.
• Communications from the shower area to the command post.
• Depending on the contaminant, a CART leader may have to give washing instructions to the team in the hot zone from the cold zone.

Companion animals can be handled in a smaller operation. A decon tent can be of assistance. A decontamination hoop can also be used with these smaller animals. Cats can be showered while in a carrier to avoid injuries to both animal and the handler. When possible, it’s recommended the animal’s owner stay with the animal during the decontamination procedure.

The disposal of deceased or euthanized animals is a major concern. Rendering companies will no longer take large animals due to federal regulations concerning Prion-type diseases such as BSE and Scrapie. Therefore, animal decontamination planning needs to include the disposal of carcasses. This should be coordinated with the state’s Departments of Agriculture, Health and Environmental Protection.

The success of animal decontamination is proper planning:

• Determine the skills, training and resources—both equipment and personnel—required before an incident.
• Develop standard operating guidelines and familiarize responding personnel with the procedures.
• Drill and exercise on the procedures and guidelines to see what works and what doesn’t.
• Revise the operations as needed and communicate the changes to all participants.

Note that for a major agricultural event, the U.S. Department of Agriculture can dispatch an agricultural incident management team to the scene. This team, however, can take 48 hours or longer to arrive.

Gene Carlson is the training officer for the York County, Pa., hazmat team.

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