T he US dairy industry is moving toward fewer dairy farms with more cattle per farm. Between 1995 and 2005, the number of dairy farms decreased by 43.9% (from 139,670 to 78,295), but the total number of milk cows decreased by only 4.5% (from 9.47 to 9.04 million). 1 Consequently, the average herd size for dairies in the United States has almost doubled during the past 10 years. It has become difficult for dairy farms to be completely self-sufficient, self-contained production units. Large dairy farms are at risk of exposure to disease agents from external sources of labor, feedstuffs, replacement cattle, supplies, and vehicles. In a USDA study, 2 it was estimated that 75.3% of large US dairy farms brought new cattle into the herd in 2001. Large dairy farms typically focus on milk-producing cows and may contract with outside services to manage their calves, heifers, or nonlactating cows. Numerous vehicles travel among several dairy farms on a daily basis; some of these collect milk, calves, or carcasses, whereas others deliver feedstuffs, pharmaceuticals, or genetic materials. Wildlife, rodents, and birds have access to dairy farms and pose a risk for transmission of disease. 3,4 It is estimated that wild ruminants have physical contact with dairy cows or feedstuffs on 53% of US dairy operations. 2 Interaction with all the aforementioned outside resources can increase the likelihood of introducing disease agents to a farm. This risk can be minimized by establishing and adhering to a structured biosecurity plan. Biosecurity is the result of management practices designed to avoid introduction of disease agents to a farm. 5 Disease agents may include toxins or infectious pathogens, such as bac-Suggested outline of potential critical control points for biosecurity and biocontainment on large dairy farms

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The objectives of this study were to identify factors associated with zoonotic infections in veterinarians, the incidence of physician consultation and treatment and the incidence of diagnostic and treatment errors. Veterinarians in any area of practice were solicited to participate in an online survey through an invitation letter sent to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association. Proportions of respondents to various factors were analyzed for differences among gender, age, time since graduation and type of practice in which they worked. In all, 216 complete responses were received. In all, 13.9% of respondents had never been vaccinated against rabies, and 20.8% had been exposed to suspect rabid animals, mostly (64.4%) a single time. Other zoonoses were reported by 47.2% of respondents: mostly diseases transmitted via contact (57.4%) especially ringworm, followed by those with oral transmission (21.7%). Most zoonotic infections were reportedly acquired by young veterinarians working in primary care veterinary practice. Cats were the species most commonly reported as the animal source of a zoonotic infection. Veterinarians likely self-diagnosed zoonotic diseases, especially those transmitted by contact. Medical care providers were consulted for diagnosis of more serious diseases. Diagnosis and treatment errors were uncommon. Results of this study emphasize the need to educate future veterinarians during their early years in veterinary school about the risks associated with their future jobs.

What is known about the topic of this paper • Ordered categorical level data do not contain as much information as interval level data.• Ordered categorical scales require statistical methodology different than that required for continuous data in order to be consistent with the structure of the data.• Ordinal data are frequently presented and analysed with inappropriate methods in the human medical literature.

Results suggested that the perceived shortage of veterinarians in RVP may be in part influenced by a lack of retention, particularly among experienced veterinarians. Targeted efforts to tackle issues related to emergency duty, time off, salary, practice atmosphere, and family issues could help alleviate the efflux from RVP.