POULTRY DISEASE

[Muddasar Iqbal]

Maintain strict biosecurity, proper sanitation, clean water, and good ventilation while controlling visitors and regularly vaccinating birds.

[Jegede Olajumoke]

Thank you

[Hamza Muhammad]

Thank you all

[Asia Community Manager]

HOW CAN WE MINIMIZE DISEASE OUTBREAKS IN PENS?

The following should be considered as general information; however, you should always seek professional advice, specific to your individual circumstances. It is not a complete list of essential components of an effective biosecurity program.

Effective biosecurity is essential for preventing and controlling disease outbreaks in poultry pens. The following best practices are widely recommended:

Risk Assessment And Planning – conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify potential disease threats specific to the farm’s operations. This involves evaluating the farm’s layout, access points, and existing biosecurity measures.

Develop a farm-specific biosecurity plan that outlines tailored strategies to mitigate identified risks, including protocols for daily operations and emergency responses.

Farm Access – restrict access to strictly only necessary visitors, such as emergency repairs and veterinarians. All other visitors, like sales people, should never enter the production site, and by restricted to the office, or even better met off-site. Brief all necessary visitors they understand biosecurity measures and are always accompanied by a staff member to ensure they comply with the necessary precautions.

Access control includes using perimeter fencing, lockable gates, and clear signage indicating restricted areas.

Establish designated parking areas for visitors at a distance from poultry housing to minimize contamination risks.

Water – use water from non-polluted sources. Disinfect (UV sterilization, chlorination, and/or ozonation) and filter water before use, if necessary to reduce the risk of introducing infectious pathogens.

Mains water is generally treated and sanitized before distribution, making it the most biosecure option for poultry. Surface water has a high risk of contamination from wildlife, particularly waterfowl. Bore and rainwater may be used but require careful monitoring and sanitation to ensure safety.

Feed – should be purchased from reputable suppliers who adhere to strict biosecurity and quality assurance programs.

Use sealed silos or containers to protect feed from pests and wildlife, which can carry diseases. Regularly inspect storage areas for cleanliness and signs of contamination.

Feeds should be properly stored in a cool, dry place to avoid spoilage, and secured from disease vectors like birds and rodents to avoid contamination. Feed should be used on a first-in, first-out basis.

Hygiene Practices – provide facilities for personal hygiene, such as handwashing, clean showers and changing areas stocked with clean protective clothing before entering poultry areas. Personnel should shower and change before entering production areas.

Enforce sanitation protocols for vehicles entering the farm, including disinfection stations to clean tires and equipment.

Equipment – use tools and equipment exclusively/separately in each poultry shed. Avoid sharing equipment between farms, or different production units within the farm.

Disease Prevention Measures – adopt an all-in, all-out system where all birds are introduced and removed simultaneously to facilitate thorough cleaning and disinfection between flocks.

Implement a robust vaccination program tailored to the regional disease landscape. Vaccines should be administered according to established schedules and documented properly.

Carcass Disposal – effective methods include composting with carbon-rich materials like sawdust, incineration, rendering, or burial (at least 1.5m deep). Ensure compliance with local regulations governing carcass disposal methods.

Monitoring And Record Keeping – maintain detailed records of flock health, vaccination histories, biosecurity practices, and details of visitors. This documentation is vital for tracking disease outbreaks and compliance with biosecurity standards.

Regularly review and update the biosecurity plan based on new risks or changes in operational practices.

Records should be kept for at least 2 years, or longer if required by regulatory authorities or certification programs.

Training – maintain a comprehensive and regular training program to ensure all farm staff involved in applying biosecurity measures are capable in their roles. Designate a biosecurity champion(s) to enhance biosecurity by promoting awareness, implementing best practices, and fostering a culture of biosecurity within the operation.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)– establish SOPs that provide clear step-by-step processes on how biosecurity tasks need to be done, not just what needs to be done (including record keeping), and should also describe objectives, and specify personnel responsibilities and a review date. Depending on the scale of production, biosecurity has three levels: primary (prevention and exclusion), secondary (containment and control), and tertiary levels (mitigation and eradication).

Emergency Procedures – develop specific emergency biosecurity procedures to be enacted in the event of a disease outbreak. These procedures should include immediate isolation of affected areas, enhanced monitoring, and communication strategies with veterinary authorities.

[Md Ahidul Islam]

Thanks

[Oluwasola Quadri]

1. Strict biosecurity measures

2. Proper disposal of litters

3. Supply of clean water free of salmonella