Being able to isolate sick animals and quarantine new or returning animals will bolster your entire herd health program and should be a priority for your herd's biosecurity. An isolation or quarantine area should achieve the following objectives:

• Provide an air space, water source, and feed source separate from the rest of your livestock.
• Prevent direct contact with the rest of your livestock.
• Provide a clean, dry, comfortable resting space for the animal(s).
• Provide transition to a new ration.

Photo: Peggy Greb, ARS Image Gallery

• Provide adequate restraint facilities for examinations and administration of treatments.
• Allow equipment storage in that area (e.g., shovels, halters, buckets, etc.) for use only in the isolation area.
• Prevent the movement of equipment and manure from the isolation area to other locations with livestock.
• Ensure workers clean hands and boots and change clothes before going to other areas.