Teaching biosecurity standard operating procedures in the Veterinary Faculty, University of Liege, using eCampus learning platform

Introduction and aim: In veterinary medicine, biosecurity relies on the implementation and respect of procedures that reduce the risk of the introduction and spread of pathogens. The concept has recently attained great importance in veterinary medicine, especially in veterinary teaching hospitals, with regard to the accreditation processes of Veterinary Education Establishments in Europe. Indeed, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and practices regarding hygiene, biosecurity and infection control were implemented. The main objective of the study was to assess the usefulness of observations in estimating the compliance of veterinary students with biosecurity measures implemented in the necropsy room of a Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (n = 122 observations) and in a private slaughterhouse (n = 56 observations) in Belgium, during day sessions of practical work. Materials and methods: Checklists compiling the biosecurity rules to apply in both contexts were established (31 rules were considered for the necropsy room and 35 for the slaughterhouse). Observations were performed by a single person to ensure standardisation. Results: The level of compliance with biosecurity rules was intermediate and reached 42% vs. 37% for the necropsy room and the slaughterhouse, respectively. No significant difference was observed between these compliance rates. Conclusions: These results are comparable to the estimations reported in human medicine with a compliance rate reported between 33% and 54% for the therapeutic compliance and long-term follow-up of preventive recommendations by patients (Haynes et al., 1979). Increasing staff supervision of students and increasing awareness through education should be encouraged. Concomitant with this study, a biosecurity e-learning platform for veterinary students was implemented in Belgium, at the University of Liege. The follow-up of observations through time could be used to assess the evolution of compliance with biosecurity measures.