As PEDV cases grow, NGFA offers tips for delivery drivers

As the number of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) cases continue to rise in North America, the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) offers tips to prevent the spread of disease through delivery equipment and delivery drivers.
The cleanliness of feed delivery equipment plays an important role in preventing the spread of disease. Trucks and trailers used for feed delivery should be thoroughly cleaned, washed, disinfected and dried. To appropriately clean delivery equipment:

• Scrape/remove dirt and/or debris that may be present on the equipment prior to washing.
• Soak the equipment with soap and/or degreaser.
• Pressure wash the equipment with hot water.
• Disinfect the vehicle with an appropriate disinfectant, following all label directions. The effectiveness of disinfectants is reduced when applied to a surface that is not clean.
• Cleaning and disinfecting also is to occur within the interior of the truck cab.
• Other equipment associated with delivery of feed - e.g., brooms, shovels, etc. - are to be cleaned and disinfected.
• All delivery equipment is to be thoroughly dried prior to being placed back in service.
The NGFA also describes best practices for delivery drivers:

• Drivers are to wear clean clothes and footwear.
• Drivers are to put on clean, disposable boots in the truck before exiting the cab at the delivery site.
• Drivers are to put on clean, disposable coveralls immediately after exiting the truck cab.
• Drivers are to stay as close to the delivery truck as possible to minimize the areas accessed.
• Drivers are to only access areas of the delivery site for which they are authorized. This likely means not entering the barn office or other facilities. Feed invoices and tags also should be left in a designated area, such as mailboxes attached to the bin leg or outside of the office.
• For bulk feed deliveries, if possible, drivers should communicate with the farm staff and ask them to open and close the bin lids.
• For sack feed deliveries, drivers are to only unload products within designated areas.
• After unloading of feed is complete, drivers are to remove coveralls and disposable boots when climbing back into the truck. These items are to be disposed of in a separate garbage bag or container.
• Drivers are to apply hand sanitizer to maintain a clean cab before touching surfaces after re-entering the truck.