Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Certification Practice Exam

According to best practices for biosecurity disease containment, which group of calves should you work with first if one group has pinkeye?

1. The healthy group

2. The group with pinkeye

3. Both groups simultaneously

4. The group with unknown health status

The correct answer is: The group with pinkeye

Working with the group that has pinkeye first is crucial for effective biosecurity and disease management. By addressing the health of the infected calves first, you can assess the severity of the outbreak and take appropriate action to manage and treat the affected animals. This approach can help to prevent the spread of pinkeye to other healthy groups or those with unknown health status. Prioritizing the treatment and attention of the affected calves allows for immediate intervention, which can mitigate the disease's impact and reduce the risk of infection spreading within the herd. It provides an opportunity to implement any necessary isolation, treatment protocols, or management changes that can limit further transmission of the disease. In contrast, working with the healthy group first could inadvertently expose them to the pathogens, increasing the likelihood of an outbreak in that group. Simultaneously managing both the sick and healthy groups could complicate the process, as you would risk cross-contamination between the groups. Finally, dealing with the group of unknown health status first can pose similar risks, as you might inadvertently introduce pathogens to uninfected animals while assessing their health. Focusing on the group with pinkeye helps to control the situation effectively and minimizes potential health risks to the rest of the cattle.