Avian flu: Hygiene protects
Recently another new strain of the influenza virus was discovered, this time in Germany. The avian influenza caused by this virus is highly contagious and means high economic losses for poultry farmers in the event of an outbreak in their own livestock. However, the disease can be prevented with strict bio-security and meticulous cleaning.
Highly contagious virus infection
The avian flu caused by the highly pathogenic influenza virus – also called bird flu and highly pathogenic influenza viral infection – is very infectious and usually follows a fatal course. Serious epidemics are frequent. Owing to the high mutation rate, there are so far no vaccines that can be of practical use, and the risk of the virus spreading to humans – as has already happened in Asia – is always present.
Whether egg or meat production, organic or conventional livestock farming, or big or small stalls and sheds: When avian flu breaks out, the only response is the emergency slaughter of the affected animals, resulting in economic loss for the owners. In the struggle against the disease, poultry keepers must therefore aim at prevention. The key here is bio-security – a cross-cutting task that covers the planning of operational facilities and behavioural rules for employees, as well as meticulous cleaning with suitable equipment.
Interrupting transmission paths
The virus enters the sheds or stalls in various ways, which can be effectively countered with meticulous hygiene. Poultry keepers should look at the following transmission paths:
Observing regulations for bio-security
At least in the EU, a lot has been achieved if poultry keepers strictly adhere to the regulations for bio-security. An important contact partner for the details of implementation is the vet.
Many measures for protection against bird flu involve the organisation of the facility: Who has access to the site and the sheds and stalls, where can vehicles go, stop and load or unload, where and how are animal feed and equipment stored? And how is compliance with the rules ensured: written schedules, instructions and inspections by supervisors, fences, doors and gates, cameras, security staff? All of these are good starting points for ensuring that the regulations concerning access and hygiene are followed.
Most important protective measure: Hygiene
A decisive aspect of hygiene is cleaning. Here, the important thing is to know and use the most effective methods for the respective purpose. This includes sufficient frequency and appropriate cleaning routines, correct procedures and - also very important from a business point of view - efficient equipment.
Hygiene for outdoor areas
Indoors: Different equipment for black and white areas
Hot water high-pressure cleaners for shed cleaning save time
For the cleaning of sheds, including floors, walls, ceiling, aviaries and perches, including cages - depending on national regulations - as well as feeding facilities, hot water high-pressure cleaners are the first choice. As hot water loosens dirt with its viruses and bacteria much better than cold water, one thorough cleaning process using hot water at a temperature of 85 degrees is sufficient: This procedure saves up to 40 per cent cleaning time per shed – even without detergent. In addition, surfaces cleaned with hot water dry faster, allowing the subsequent disinfection to be started earlier.
High levels of bio-security are achieved by stationary high-pressure cleaners installed in the sheds, which are available at all times and do not need to be transported within the sheds or even from shed to shed (which can spread germs). However, smaller facilities can also ensure a high standard of hygiene with mobile equipment. Nevertheless, the mobile cleaning machines must always be kept outside or in the anteroom, and each shed building should also have its own hoses with trigger gun and lance.
Documentation and training
It is recommended that the time saved by efficient cleaning procedures should be used for inspection of the sheds for building damage, and for repairing any damage found. For cracks, gaps and holes are breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses, and points of entry for rodents and insects, which can also bring in pathogens and must therefore be regularly combated.
Furthermore, poultry keepers should document all hygiene measures in order to retain an overview – and instruct their employees on the necessary cleaning routines. The choice of cleaning equipment that is easy to operate saves time required for training.
The above-stated measures will not only reduce the risk that a poultry population will one day be diagnosed with avian flu – they will also protect the animals against other infectious diseases.
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