AVIAN INFLUENZA:

Role of Biosecurity

Dr.Kedar Karki
M.V.St.Preventive Veterinary
Medicine
Avian Influenza

A Viral disease of Domestic and Wild

Birds characterized by the full range of
responses from almost no signs of the
disease to very high mortality. The
incubation period is also highly variable,
and ranges from a few days to a week
(3 to 7 days).
 Etiology of Avian Influenza
 Influenzavirus A genus of the
Orthomyxoviridae family.
 They are enveloped, negative stranded
RNA viruses.
 Influenza A viruses can be divided into
15 Haemagglutinin (H) antigens. 9
Neuraminidase (N) antigens.
 Extreme antigenic variability brought
about by genetic reassortment in host
cells.
Influenza Viruses

 2 Pathotypes:
 HPAI
 LPAI
 Ecology of Avian
Influenza Viruses
The greatest variety of Avian Influenza
viruses has been isolated from wild birds,
particularly from waterfowls.
Serve as reservoirs and gene pools
These birds perpetuate only viruses of low
pathogenecity
Natural host of AI viruses to which the
viruses are well adapted.
Waterfowls are resistant to the disease
induced by HPAI viruses.
 Ecology of Avian Influenza
Viruses

Domestic Poultry does not appear to be

the natural host of these viruses, therefore
the degree of adaptation to the host is low
and this could possibly explain why
documented virus mutation has virtually
always occurred in domestic poultry
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Worldwide Occurrences
 Recent News
 Indonesia:
Poultry Disease Outbreak
Devastating Regional Sector.
 An article in the Jakarta Post on Dec. 18:
 Many poultry farmers forced out of business in the
face of the current outbreak of ND. A spokesperson
for 1 of the Sleman and Kulonprogo Regency district
sector said: Out of 25 members of the neighborhood
unit, only 3 still have chickens. The others’ birds are
all dead. He added that only 25 % of farmers in his
area are still operating. The virus had also spread to
other areas of the regency. Some estimates suggest
that a number of district have lost up to 80 % of their
poultry
South Korea – Latest Developments
 The Government is doing its best to support the
industry but public are not buying poultry or eggs
despite assurances that this form of AI does not
pose a health hazard.
 First confirmed case of bird flu – Dec. 15, 2003:
49 suspected farms
 14 cases confirmed positive for AI
7 cases are from ducks
1 from broiler breeder
2 from broilers
4 from layers
 17 cases were negative
 The other 18 farms are being tested
Taiwan – Latest Developments

 Taipei (Reuters, Jan 5,2004) Taiwan

reported its first case of a highly
contagious bird flu Wednesday (Dec.
31,2003), but said six ducks smuggled
from mainland China that had tested
positive (H5N1) had been destroyed.
 Avian Influenza
Differential Diagnosis

 Infectious Bronchitis
 TRT/APV
 Newcastle Disease
 Respiratory viruses – Mixed
infections
 Avian Influenza Diagnosis

1. Clinical Signs
2. Virus Isolation and
Characterisation
3. Serology
4. PCR
5. Histopathology and
Immunochemistry
 3 Categories of Transmission
 Intercontinental
 Transport of live poultry, frozen poultry meat and
untreated hatching eggs over long distances.
Trade of poultry by-products unheated and egg
products and possibly frozen poultry semen.
Least importance are free living migrating birds
 International
 Trade of commercial poultry including live birds,
vehicles, crates, containers. Also, international
exhibitions, shows, bird markets and similar
events. Least important are birds which displays
seasonal migration pattern.
 Local
 Farm personnel, technical crew (debeaker,
vaccinators, catchers, etc.). Also, contaminated
poultry manure and waste stuff as well as
airborne particle and dust. Significant are live
BIOSECURITY
 DEFINITION : all procedures used to
prevent the introduction of disease
 OBJECTIVES :

- prevent the entry of disease

- control the spread of disease
BIOSECURITY IS EVERYONE’S
RESPONSIBILITY!
BENEFITS OF BIOSECURITY
 HELPS KEEP OUT diseases
 REDUCES THE RISK of zoonotic diseases
 LIMITS THE SPREAD of diseases
 HELPS PROTECT the public health
 IMPROVES the overall flock health
 CUTS COSTS of disease treatment
 REDUCES LOSSES and improves
profitability
BETTER BIOSECURITY PROVIDES : Peace
of mind, a healthier flock and a more
HOW DISEASES SPREAD
 MOVEMENT of people, animals,
equipment, vehicles
 CONTACT with neighboring flock
 CONTACT with insects, rodents, stray
animals and pets
 CONTAMINATED water & feeds
 INADEQUATE cleaning and disinfection
BIOSECURITY INFORMATION
 STRICTLY limit and control access to the
farm – fencing w/ a controlled entry point
 KEEP an all-in, all-out flock management
 PROVIDE a security or decontamination
area
 REQUIRE all persons entering the farm to
sign a visitor’s logbook; vehicle plate
numbers must also be recorded
BIOSECURITY INFORMATION
 CLEAN & DIRTY areas should be well-
defined
 THOROUGHLY clean and disinfect all
equipment & vehicles entering AND leaving
the farm
 BETTER NOT to borrow equipment or
vehicles from other farms
 DON’T USE same vehicles for transporting
birds, feeds, equipment or waste products
BIOSECURITY INFORMATION
 CLEAN, PROTECTIVE clothing and
footwear must be worn in the farm
 HAVE a designated cleaning & disinfecting
area
 WHEN DISINFECTING, remove all dirt &
solid matter first – Dirt & manure cannot be
disinfected!
 KEEP the farm surroundings clean & tidy
 FOOTBATH must be provided in every
poultry house; footbath should be kept clean
BIOSECURITY INFORMATION
 KEEP WILD BIRDS off the poultry houses –
bird-proofing
 KEEP other animals, pets or other livestock
out of the farm
 PEST & RODENT control program
 PROPER DISPOSAL of damaged eggs,
dead birds, litter or manure
 REGULARLY clean & disinfect all
equipment & vehicles before and after use
BIOSECURITY INFORMATION
 AFTER EVERY CYCLE, thoroughly
clean & disinfect all houses &
equipment
 ONCE CLEANED, a farm should be
closed & left idle; the longer the down
time, the better the results.
IMPLEMENTING A STABLE
BIOSECURITY PROGRAM IS INDEED
AN EFFORT WORTH MAKING!
MINI MUM BIOSE CURI TY
STANDA RD S
• No Visitors
• A sign-in log
• Clean clothing and sanitized footwear
• Properly maintained foot pans with
disinfectant solution
• Rodent and insect control
• No other animals, esp. wild birds
• Vaccination
• All in, all out
• Sanitize hands
 IMPORTANT
REMINDERS
 MAKE a flock health plan that includes basic
biosecurity measures
 ENSURE that all records are accurate & up-
to-date
 ALL poultry personnel should be trained
 LOOK OUT for signs of disease – early
detection is key!
 REPORT immediately if disease is suspected
BE VIGILANT!
 Reminders
 Effective
Bird Proofing
 Working Pest Control Program
 For Rodents and Fly
 No other animals especially waterfowl
 Sign – in Log Book
 Power Sprayer at the farm gate
 Separate foot wear/Foot Dip
 Sanitation/disinfection
Prevention

 Surveillance / Monitoring
 Vaccination
 Biosecurity
 Control
 Biosecurity
 Quarantine
 Intensify disinfecting measures
 Monitoring/Surveillance
 Stamping Out / Depopulation
 DIVA Vaccination - only for LPAI and
not for HPAI because it might prolong
the shedding of the virus
 Proper Disposal