Biosecurity advice in response to latest Avian Influenza breakout

By All Agri

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With the recent Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) being declared across the whole of England, bird keepers need to be more vigilant than ever in order to prevent the disease from spreading further.

What is the latest advice?

While poultry keepers are already being urged to prepare for winter Avian Flu and reduce the risk of disease in their birds over the colder months, recent testing has confirmed the case of avian influenza H5N8 in broiler breeder chickens in Herefordshire to be a highly pathogenic strain.

For the Government to come to this decision, a thorough risk assessment has been carried out containing the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice. Essentially it means any bird keeper in England (whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) is required by law to take a range of biosecurity precautions. You can check if you’re in a disease control zone via Defra’s interactive map.

Five Fast Facts about Avian Influenza

  • While there are many strains of the virus, Avian Influenza has two types – one is mild while the other is fatal, causing death within 24 hours of the first appearance of symptoms.
  • Domestic poultry (i.e. chickens and turkeys) are most vulnerable. Migratory waterfowl (i.e. ducks and geese) often carry the virus, but appear to have the most resistance to severe infection.
  • The first deadly form was discovered in Italy in 1878. And a 1992 epidemic in Mexico wasn’t controlled for three whole years due to poor control measures being taken.
  • It can survive for up to four days in water, and up to three months in bird droppings!
  • Most significantly it can spread between farms really easily through all sorts of contaminated equipment such as feed, clothing, transport, shoes, rodents, cages etc.

What should you be doing?

There are many simple measures that poultry keepers can put into place irrespective of farm size. Here are the most important things to remember:

Clean footwear before and after visits

Be sure to clean any footwear with disinfectants before and after visits. Once you’ve washed your boots off, We think this FootCheck is ideal for disinfecting as it minimises wastage by ensuring a precise concentration is required. Essentially it means you can do away with buckets, containers and measuring jugs.

Use the correct PPE around birds

Infection in humans predominantly results from direct contact with infected poultry which is why it’s so important to wear the correct PPE. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommend: disposable or polycotton coveralls with head coverage of CE type 5 and 6 (disposable coveralls are preferred); disposable gloves of lightweight nitrile or vinyl, or heavy duty rubber (not latex) gloves that can be disinfected after use; rubber or polyurethane boots that are waterproof and can be cleaned or disinfected after use., or disposable shoe/boot covers are also recommended; face-fitted FFP3 respirator with exhalation valve and close fitting goggles.

Control rats and mice

It’s crucial to keep the bird’s homes clean and tidy, making sure extra measures are put in place to control rats and mice, with regular cleansing and disinfecting any hard surfaces. There are many types of disinfectants available but ideally you should use a DEFRA approved disinfectant at entrances and exits. If you’re looking for extra peace of mind, phenol-based disinfectants such as Hysolv Interkokask come recommended by the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) for use in the elite “Lion Brand” egg production code.

Sanitise vehicles

It’s easy to place all attention on the sheds and our personal belongings, however one key area that’s often left open to risk is vehicles. As the Government says, to ensure good biosecurity, all poultry keepers should clean and disinfect vehicles and equipment that have come into contact with poultry. Products like this hand pump sprayer make the job much quicker and easier!

Access control

It’s important to place birds’ feed and water in fully enclosed areas that are protected from wild birds, and remove any spilled feed regularly. Also, it’s recommended to put fencing around any outdoor areas where birds are allowed to roam – paying particular attention to limiting access to ponds or areas visited by wild waterfowl. And on that note, avoid keeping ducks and geese with other poultry species!

What products are available?

Head over to the Avian Flu section of our website for a selection of top products recommended by farmers themselves, as well as experts from our established sister brands – Hydor, Bowden & Knights, Animal Aids and FarmTech Services.

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