During disease outbreaks, it is important to consider animal welfare. Decisions should be made with a veterinarian, and for notifiable diseases, with the help of the Competent Authority. 

Biosecurity protocols help prevent disease from entering a farm and from spreading on an already infected farm. Ideally, farms should have these protocols in place before an outbreak occurs. However, in the event of an outbreak, protocols to prevent stress in animals are necessary. Animals should be regularly observed for signs of disease and discomfort. If animals show signs of disease, they should be separated into sick pens, ideally within view of other animals and treated and/or provided with pain management. If depopulation is necessary, minimal stress techniques should be applied. These techniques include low-stress handling and restraining methods, employing appropriate stunning and killing methods, and identifying indicators of unconsciousness and death. Authorised, trained personnel, ideally with a Certificate of Competence, should carry out the killing. Animals should also be separated from others by sight, smell and sound when killed.

For basic steps to follow during an outbreak, see: https://animalhealthireland.ie/assets/uploads/2021/06/BS-Infectious-Outbreak-2021.pdf?dl=1 

For more information about on-farm emergency killing, see: https://www.eurcaw-ruminants-equines.eu/knowledge_base/q2e-ruminants-equines-2024-003/

For more information on end-of-life care for cattle, see: https://care4dairy.eu/knowledge_base/end-of-career-best-practice-guide/