Step up biosecurity against avian influenza: Pennsylvania state vet

As countries in Europe and East Asia deal with outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, Pennsylvania’s top veterinarian is urging the state’s poultry producers to step up their biosecurity practices.

State veterinarian Kevin Brightbill said the poultry industry, as well as backyard bird owners, should take steps to protect their flocks.

“Written biosecurity plans are good, but they are only effective when deliberately acted upon day in and day out by you and every farm hand,” Brightbill said. “When practical biosecurity practices are implemented, they not only safeguard your farm and your flock from high consequence disease, but may enhance the productivity and long-term sustainability of your farm.”

HPAI is known to spread rapidly and be fatal for chickens and turkeys. The last outbreak in Pennsylvania, H5N2 in 1983, resulted in the loss of more than 17 million chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl to contain and eradicate the disease.

Brightbill said poultry producers should limit exposure of poultry to wild birds through confinement rearing and other biosecurity measures (recent research shows lasers could help) to reduce the risk of introduction of avian influenza from wild birds.

USDA recently detected a low pathogenic strain in a mallard duck in Pennsylvania, confirming avian influenza is circulating in the state.

Brightbill offered these basic biosecurity guidelines:

• Allow only essential personnel to access your property and birds. Disinfect any vehicles that enter your farm.
• Don’t lend or borrow equipment from other farms. Bring only cleaned and disinfected items into your bird area.
• Avoid contact with other poultry. If you cannot avoid contact, change clothes and shoes before working with your own birds.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before entering your bird area.
• Use foot baths when entering or leaving your bird housing (change disinfectant frequently), or wear disposable boot covers.
• Keep poultry separate from wild birds. Don’t let poultry share water sources with or have access to common areas frequented by wild birds.
• Eliminate standing water on your farm and clean up feed spills to avoid attracting wild birds.

More information is available from Brightbill and USDA.