Visual Biosecurity Enforcement

Biosecurity zones define areas with specific security requirements. Quarantine sections require restricted access. High-risk areas demand sanitisation protocols. Public areas have minimal restrictions. Emergency zones impose complete lockdowns.

While comprehensive biosecurity features are covered in Chapter 11, this section focuses specifically on zones. You learn how zones are visualised and managed spatially through maps. Visual zones make biosecurity requirements immediately obvious to anyone viewing the map. No guessing about access rules, no uncertainty about which protocols apply.

What Are Biosecurity Zones?

Biosecurity zones are geographic areas with defined security levels and access requirements. They overlay existing locations and subdivisions. This adds an additional layer of spatial control.

Key characteristics:

• Drawn as boundaries on maps (polygons defining the protected area)
• Colour-coded by security level (visual risk indicators)
• Linked to specific biosecurity protocols (what is required to enter)
• Can overlap subdivisions or cover multiple subdivisions
• Activate and deactivate based on biosecurity needs

Common biosecurity zones:

Quarantine zones:

• Isolate animals with confirmed or suspected diseases
• Prevent contact with healthy population
• Typically mapped to quarantine subdivisions (Quarantine Pen, Isolation Area)
• High security level

Restricted access zones:

• Areas with heightened biosecurity concerns
• Require sanitisation, PPE, or manager approval
• May include breeding facilities, vulnerable populations, high-value animals
• Medium to high security level

Public zones:

• Areas accessible to visitors with minimal restrictions
• Zoos: public exhibits and visitor paths
• Farms: designated visitor areas, farm shops
• Low security level

Emergency zones:

• Activated during disease outbreaks or emergencies
• Complete movement restrictions
• May encompass entire location or specific high-risk areas
• Critical security level

Zones provide geographic enforcement of biosecurity rules. The map shows where rules apply. This prevents accidental protocol violations.

Security Levels and Visual Coding

Biosecurity zones use colour-coded security levels. These immediately communicate risk and requirements.

Security Level Classifications

Public (Green):

• Minimal biosecurity restrictions
• Suitable for visitors, general access
• Standard hygiene practices sufficient
• Examples: Visitor centres, public viewing areas, farm shops

Restricted (Yellow and Amber):

• Enhanced biosecurity protocols required
• Access controlled (authorised personnel only)
• May require sanitisation, PPE, or check-in
• Examples: Behind-the-scenes animal areas, feed storage, equipment areas

Quarantine (Red):

• Strict isolation protocols in effect
• Animals under quarantine or disease investigation
• Full sanitisation required, movement restricted
• Access limited to essential personnel only
• Examples: Quarantine pens, isolation facilities, disease response zones

High Security (Dark Red):

• Maximum biosecurity protocols
• Critical disease management or high-value protection
• Complete access control, mandatory sanitisation, full PPE
• Manager approval required for entry
• Examples: Endangered species breeding areas, exotic disease quarantine, secure holding

Emergency (Purple and Flashing):

• Emergency protocols active
• Outbreak response, facility lockdown
• Movement frozen except for emergency response
• Immediate threat containment
• Examples: Active outbreak zones, contamination areas, emergency lockdowns

Visual colour-coding means anyone viewing the map instantly understands risk levels. No need to read detailed text for access requirements.

Creating Biosecurity Zones

Biosecurity zones are drawn on maps similar to location and subdivision boundaries.

Biosecurity Zone Creation Workflow

Step 1: Navigate to Biosecurity Zone Management

• Open map view
• Select Biosecurity Zones or Zone Management
• Click Create New Zone

Step 2: Define Zone Parameters

Zone name:

• Descriptive, explains purpose
• Quarantine Zone 1, FMD Isolation Area, Public Exhibit Zone, Emergency Lockdown (North Section)

Security level:

• Select appropriate level: Public, Restricted, Quarantine, High Security, Emergency
• Determines colour coding and default protocols

Zone description:

• Explain why zone exists, what is being protected, expected duration
• 30-day quarantine for new cattle arrivals
• Breeding facility for endangered species, restricted access to minimise disturbance

Required protocols:

• Select biosecurity protocols that must be followed in this zone
• Sanitisation required (footbaths, hand wash, vehicle cleaning)
• Check-in and check-out required
• PPE required (protective clothing, gloves, masks)
• Manager approval required for access
• Detailed protocols covered in Chapter 11

Restricted access:

• Toggle on and off
• If on, only authorised users can enter zone
• System tracks who enters and when

Step 3: Draw Zone Boundary

Drawing process (similar to locations and subdivisions):

1. Click Draw Zone Boundary
2. Map zooms to parent location
3. Click points to define zone perimeter
4. Zones can align with subdivision boundaries or create custom shapes
5. Close shape when complete
6. Zone polygon appears on map in colour matching security level

Zone boundaries can:

• Match existing subdivision boundaries exactly (Quarantine Zone equals Quarantine Pen subdivision)
• Cover multiple subdivisions (Emergency Zone encompasses entire North Section including 5 paddocks)
• Overlap with other zones (Public zone and Restricted zone may overlap at boundaries)
• Define custom areas not aligned with subdivisions (circular buffer around water source)

Step 4: Activate Zone

• Review zone details
• Activate zone
• Zone appears on map with colour-coded boundary
• Access restrictions take effect
• Team members viewing map see zone immediately

Time required: 5 to 10 minutes per zone

Quick Quarantine Zone Creation

When an animal is quarantined (Chapter 8.1 Quarantine Smart Badge), the system can create a biosecurity zone automatically:

1. Animal quarantined
2. System prompts: Create biosecurity zone for quarantine location?
3. Accept prompt
4. Zone created automatically at animal's current subdivision
5. Security level set to Quarantine (red)
6. Zone activated with quarantine duration
7. Map displays quarantine zone immediately

This automation ensures quarantine areas are visually marked without manual zone creation.

Visualising Biosecurity Zones on Maps

Once created, biosecurity zones display as colour-coded overlays on maps.

How Zones Appear

Zone boundaries:

• Coloured polygons matching security level (green, yellow, red, dark red, purple)
• Semi-transparent so underlying locations and subdivisions remain visible
• Boundary lines may be solid (active zone) or dashed (inactive or planning zone)

Zone labels:

• Zone name displayed inside boundary
• Security level indicator
• Number of animals currently in zone
• Active and inactive status

Zone clustering (zoomed out):

• Multiple zones may show as single indicator: 3 quarantine zones active
• Zoom in to see individual zones

Layer toggle:

• Biosecurity zone layer can be toggled on and off
• Turn off to simplify map when biosecurity information not needed
• Turn on for biosecurity-focused work

Interactive Zone Features

Click zone boundary to open zone information panel:

• Zone name and description
• Security level and colour coding
• Required protocols (what is needed to enter)
• Animals currently in zone (species, count, individual names)
• Access log (who entered zone recently)
• Quick actions: Edit zone, View protocols, Deactivate zone, Release animals

Visual alerts:

• Zones nearing expiration (quarantine ending soon) may show notification badge
• Zones with protocol violations may flash or show warning indicator
• Emergency zones display prominently with high-contrast colours

Multi-Zone Visualisation

Properties may have multiple active zones simultaneously:

• 2 quarantine zones (different diseases, separate isolation)
• 1 public zone (visitor area)
• 1 restricted zone (breeding facility)
• 1 emergency zone (active outbreak response)

Map displays all zones with colour-coding distinguishing each. Overlapping zones show layered colours. Zone boundaries may overlap at edges. Inner areas show primary zone colour.

Access Control by Zone

Biosecurity zones enforce access requirements spatially.

How Access Control Works

When biosecurity zones are active:

• User attempts to enter zone (physically or record animal movement into zone)
• System checks zone requirements
• If requirements not met, access denied or warning displayed
• If requirements met, access granted and logged

Access requirements vary by security level:

Public zones (Green):

• Open access, no special requirements
• System logs entries for record-keeping only

Restricted zones (Yellow and Amber):

• Check-in required (user identifies self when entering)
• May require sanitisation confirmation
• System logs entry with timestamp and user ID

Quarantine zones (Red):

• Sanitisation required (footbath, hand wash, vehicle cleaning)
• PPE required (protective clothing, gloves)
• Access logged with full details
• Only authorised personnel allowed

High Security zones (Dark Red):

• Manager approval required before entry
• Full sanitisation and PPE mandatory
• Access logged with justification
• Minimal personnel only

Emergency zones (Purple):

• Emergency response personnel only
• All other access denied
• Override requires emergency manager authorisation

Digital access control (recording movements):

• Attempt to move animal into restricted zone via system
• System checks user permissions for that zone
• If unauthorised: Movement blocked, warning displayed
• If authorised: Movement recorded, access logged

Physical access control (field work):

• Mobile app shows user's GPS position on map
• Approaching restricted zone triggers notification: Entering Quarantine Zone (Sanitisation required)
• Prompt: Confirm sanitisation completed
• User confirms, access logged
• Or denies, access not logged (assumes user turned back)

This digital-physical integration helps enforce biosecurity protocols. Visual spatial awareness combines with system logging.

Quarantine Zone Mapping

Quarantine is the most common biosecurity use case. Maps make quarantine status spatially obvious.

Visual Quarantine Management

Active quarantine zones show:

• Red boundary around quarantine area
• Quarantine Active label
• Days remaining until release (e.g., Day 7 of 30)
• Number of animals quarantined
• Reason for quarantine (disease exposure, new arrival, show return)

Approaching quarantine zones (mobile):

• GPS tracking detects proximity to quarantine boundary
• Alert: Approaching Quarantine Zone (Do Not Enter Without Authorisation)
• Visual boundary shows exact area to avoid
• Prevents accidental contact with quarantined animals

Quarantine completion:

• Quarantine period expires
• System prompts: Release animals from quarantine?
• Confirm release
• Zone deactivates or changes to monitoring status
• Red boundary turns green or disappears
• Animals freed for normal movement

Multiple quarantine zones:

• Different diseases require separate isolation
• Map shows multiple red zones: Quarantine Zone 1 (FMD Exposure), Quarantine Zone 2 (New Arrivals)
• Visual separation confirms no cross-contact
• Each zone tracked independently

Quarantine Examples

Example 1: New Arrival Quarantine (Dairy Farm)

• Purchase 10 cattle from external source
• Cattle arrive, moved to quarantine pen
• Create quarantine zone (or auto-created):
  • Name: New Arrival Quarantine (January 2025)
  • Security level: Quarantine (red)
  • Duration: 30 days
  • Boundary: Quarantine Pen subdivision
• Map shows red zone with 10 cattle, Day 1 of 30
• Team members see red zone, know not to mix with main herd
• Daily health checks recorded in zone
• Day 30: All cattle healthy, quarantine released
• Zone deactivates, cattle moved to main herd
• Map updates showing cattle in general population

Example 2: Disease Outbreak Quarantine (Zoo)

• Primate diagnosed with communicable disease
• Immediate quarantine initiated
• Create quarantine zone:
  • Name: Primate Quarantine (Disease Response)
  • Security level: Quarantine (red)
  • Boundary: Primate Exhibit plus Holding Area (2 subdivisions)
  • Protocol: Full PPE, sanitisation, veterinary access only
• Map shows large red zone covering affected area
• All zoo staff see red zone on map
• Public exhibit closed (linked to quarantine zone)
• Veterinary treatments recorded
• 45-day quarantine period
• Final health checks clear, quarantine released
• Zone deactivates, exhibit reopens
• Documented quarantine compliance for regulatory reporting

Example 3: Wildlife Disease Investigation (Reserve)

• GPS-collared elephant showing illness symptoms
• Potential disease concern
• Create monitoring zone:
  • Name: Elephant Health Monitoring (North Territory)
  • Security level: Restricted (yellow)
  • Boundary: North Territory (large area where elephant ranges)
  • Protocol: Monitor all elephants in area, restrict vehicle access
• Map shows yellow zone
• Rangers track elephant movements within zone
• Other elephants in same zone flagged for monitoring
• Investigation concludes: not contagious, isolated health issue
• Zone deactivates after recovery
• Movement data preserved for future reference

Risk Level Visualisation

Biosecurity zones create visual risk maps. These show which areas are safe, which require caution, and which demand strict protocols.

Risk Level Map View

Toggle Risk Level View on map to see consolidated risk visualisation:

• All zones displayed simultaneously
• Colour gradient from green (low risk) to red (high risk)
• Immediate visual assessment of facility biosecurity status

At-a-glance risk assessment:

• Mostly green (low risk), one red zone (active quarantine), facility generally safe
• Multiple red zones (outbreak response), high-risk situation, access control critical
• All green (no active restrictions), normal operations

This bird's-eye view helps management assess overall biosecurity posture quickly.

Zone Comparison and Planning

Before creating new zones:

• View existing zones on map
• Plan new zone placement to avoid conflicts
• Ensure quarantine zones are geographically separated (no adjacent boundaries where cross-contamination could occur)

Example: Planning Dual Quarantine:

• Need to quarantine animals for two different diseases
• Map shows Quarantine Zone 1 (North Isolation Pen)
• Plan Quarantine Zone 2 at South Isolation Pen (opposite side of property)
• Visual confirmation: zones adequately separated, no shared borders
• Create Zone 2 with confidence in proper isolation

Editing and Deactivating Zones

Biosecurity needs change. Zones adapt accordingly.

Editing Active Zones

To edit zone details:

• Click zone on map
• Select Edit Zone
• Update name, description, protocols, security level
• Save changes
• Map updates immediately

Common edits:

• Extend quarantine duration (add days to active quarantine)
• Upgrade security level (Restricted to Quarantine if disease confirmed)
• Add protocols (require PPE after incident)
• Adjust boundary (expand zone to include newly exposed area)

Deactivating Zones

When to deactivate:

• Quarantine period complete, animals released
• Disease outbreak resolved, emergency zone no longer needed
• Restricted access period ended
• Temporary zone served its purpose

Deactivation process:

1. Click zone on map
2. Select Deactivate Zone
3. Confirm deactivation
4. System prompts: Record reason for deactivation?
5. Add closure note: 30-day quarantine completed, all animals healthy
6. Zone deactivates
7. Boundary disappears from map or changes to inactive style (dashed line)
8. Access restrictions lift

Historical zones:

• Deactivated zones archived for record-keeping
• Access history preserved
• View past zones: Show historical biosecurity zones
• Map displays previous zones in grey or dashed lines
• Support compliance documentation and outbreak investigations

Best Practices for Biosecurity Zone Mapping

Create zones proactively: Do not wait for disease confirmation to plan quarantine areas. Pre-define potential quarantine zones so they are ready for immediate activation.

Use visual clarity: Colour-coding works. Stick with standard colours (green equals safe, yellow equals caution, red equals quarantine) for consistent team understanding.

Minimise overlap: Avoid unnecessary zone overlap causing confusion about which protocols apply. If zones must overlap, clearly document precedence (higher security level takes priority).

Update in real-time: Activate zones immediately when biosecurity events occur. Deactivate promptly when restrictions end. Stale zones on maps cause confusion.

Train team on visual cues: Ensure all staff understand what zone colours mean and what is required to enter each security level.

Link zones to protocols: Do not just draw zones. Attach specific protocols so users know exactly what to do (Chapter 11 covers detailed protocols).

Document zone history: When deactivating, record why zone was needed and what happened. Historical context helps future biosecurity planning.

Mobile integration: Ensure mobile users can see zones in the field. GPS proximity alerts prevent accidental zone entry.