Biosecurity refers to the strategic and operational measures designed to prevent the introduction, establishment, and spread of infectious agents and other biological hazards that threaten human health, animal health, agriculture, and the environment. In an increasingly interconnected world characterized by high mobility of people, animals, and goods, effective biosecurity has become a critical component of national and global health security, food safety, and economic stability.
At its core, biosecurity is a preventive concept. Rather than reacting to disease outbreaks after they occur, biosecurity emphasizes risk reduction at points where pathogens are most likely to enter or circulate within systems. These points include farms, live animal markets, laboratories, healthcare facilities, borders, and natural ecosystems. By interrupting transmission pathways early, biosecurity minimizes the likelihood of outbreaks and reduces the severity of their impacts when they do occur.
