Who is Most at Risk?
Farmers, pet owners, people who work with animals, and those who import plants or animal products are most at risk of exposure. The wider public may be affected through disruption to food supplies or environmental damage.
Before
- Keep pets and livestock vaccinations up to date and register them with a local vet.
- If you keep animals, know the signs of common diseases such as foot-and-mouth, avian influenza, or African swine fever.
- Do not import animals, plants or animal products without the required permits and health certificates.
- Report any unusual illness or deaths in animals to the Gibraltar Veterinary Services immediately.
- Practise good hygiene when handling animals — wash hands thoroughly after contact.
- Do not feed wildlife or stray animals, as this can spread disease.
- If you have a garden, be alert to invasive plant species or signs of plant disease and report them to the Gibraltar Environment Agency.
During
- Follow all official guidance issued by HM Government of Gibraltar regarding movement restrictions on animals or plants.
- Do not move animals off your premises unless instructed to do so by authorities.
- Isolate any animals showing signs of illness from healthy animals immediately.
- Do not handle dead animals without appropriate protective equipment.
- Report any suspected outbreak immediately — do not wait to see if the animal recovers.
- Avoid areas where an outbreak has been confirmed unless instructed otherwise.
After
- Follow official guidance on when movement restrictions are lifted.
- Disinfect any areas, equipment or vehicles that may have been in contact with infected animals or plants.
- Work with Gibraltar Veterinary Services to confirm your animals are healthy before resuming normal activity.
- Dispose of any affected plants or animal carcasses as directed by authorities — do not bury or burn without guidance.
- Monitor remaining animals or plants closely for any signs of illness in the weeks following an outbreak.