Biosecurity in the Poultry Industry

Exploring Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Introduction

Specifically, biosecurity can support a reduced level of antimicrobial use¹, and has been highlighted as a key component in the prevention of many infectious poultry diseases, including highly pathogenic avian influenza, infectious laryngotracheitis, Newcastle disease and Salmonellosis². In addition, a recent study found several key biosecurity components that were associated with reduced antimicrobial use, including⁶:

• The use of personal protective equipment
• The requirement for following a hygiene protocol before and after entering the farm
• Use of exclusive working clothes by staff and visitors
• Footbath presence at the barn entrance
• Disposal of mortalities 

Beyond the impact on animal health, certain pathogens that are resistant to antimicrobials can be transmitted to humans. Therefore, it is also critical to reduce these bacteria through biosecurity. Camplylobacter, is one such pathogen where a high-level of biosecurity, including the implementation of farm specific clothing and boots, entry of clean feed and delivery trucks, and proper cleaning and disinfection protocols, can reduce the level of this pathogen⁷. Similar pathogens, such as non-typhoid Salmonella and Escherichia coli, can also be controlled through biosecurity practices which limit the chance of causing disease not only on the individual flocks but also in humans.    

Despite its importance in preventing disease and antimicrobial use, some studies have highlighted a need for improvement of biosecurity in the poultry industry², specifically with external measures. 

This FAAST review will highlight components of a successful biosecurity program on a poultry farm using highly pathogenic avian influenza as an example. Although this pathogen is a virus, and shouldn’t be treated with antimicrobials (as antimicrobials are only meant to fight against bacterial pathogens), it is of particular importance due to recent outbreaks that have occurred across Canada.

What is highly pathogenic avian influenza?

Avian influenza, commonly known as “bird flu”, is a highly contagious virus that affects food producing, pet and wild birds. Avian influenza viruses are classified as highly pathogenic or low pathogenicity based on the severity of disease. 

Highly pathogenic avian influenza has been identified in Canada on several occasions, with the most recent occurrence in 2015 on an Ontario turkey farm. The introduction of low pathogenic avian influenza virus from wild to domestic birds often results in highly pathogenic avian influenza due to the low pathogenicity strain mutating as it passes through domestic poultry. Avian influenza is a reportable disease in Canada, meaning that all confirmed and suspected cases of high (H5 and H7) and low pathogenic avian influenza must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). 

Typical signs associated with an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza include³:

• Extremely high mortality of birds with few clinical signs
• Depression and recumbency in birds
• Reduced activity, dehydration, and reduced feed intake, with rapid progression to severe depression and death
• In laying birds, there is a significant drop in egg production (near 0) after 3 to 5 days of infection.

Biosecurity and highly pathogenic avian influenza

The first indication that highly pathogenic avian influenza is present, is usually the outbreak of disease. Because of this, an emphasis is placed on preventing the introduction of the virus to naive farms by implementing best biosecurity practices throughout the poultry industry. Proximity to an infected farm is commonly identified as one of the most influential factors leading to infection⁵; therefore, farms that are in close proximity to an infected farm need to be especially diligent regarding biosecurity to protect the health of their flocks. 

A unified approach to biosecurity is critical in prevention of avian influenza disease!

External biosecurity

Introduction of Animals

Wild birds are not only associated with avian influenza, but also Newcastle Disease virus, Myxoplasma, Camplylobacter, Salmonella, Yersinia, and Mycobacterium avium. They are typically responsible for introducing pathogens into an area, which leads to outbreaks of specific infection.  

It is critical to avoid attracting wild birds to domestic poultry operations by closing ventilation holes with wire mesh, cleaning up feed around poultry housing, and avoiding having ponds near poultry barns to discourage attraction of migratory birds⁴. 

Controlling wild bird populations is the most critical aspect of preventing the introduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza into a new geographic location.

Sourcing new birds from low-risk, reputable source flocks (such as the Ontario Hatchery & Source Flock Program) that use disease control programs and provide records, is encouraged. This can have a profound effect on lowering disease rates for a flock!

People

Humans can act as a route of transmission for different pathogens, including avian influenza. Human movement between farms has been identified as a key factor in the spread of this virus, as fecal and respiratory secretions carrying the virus can be found on footwear and clothing. High risk practices, such as not requiring farm visitors to change clothing, can be associated with avian influenza outbreaks⁵. Farms that require essential visitors to change clothing tend to be more likely to require other biosecurity practices, and have heightened awareness and measures to address human-related pathways of transmission for farm visitors. Time lapse between visiting poultry farms is essential. It is recommended to have at least 72 hours between visits to prevent introducing pathogens from one farm to another. 

Only allowing essential visitors to your farm, who change clothing upon arrival, is an important way to prevent disease entry. 

Beyond visitors, it is also important to consider farm personnel who work on multiple poultry operations. When evaluating an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza on layer farms in the United States⁵, one key factor leading to transmission was having shared employees who would visit, or work on, multiple farms within the same day. Because of this, it is also important to implement complementary hygiene measures known to reduce risk of avian influenza infection, such as changing footwear, washing hands, and routinely cleaning barn entry areas, in addition to requiring changing clothing.

Vehicles and Equipment

Vehicle movement between farms has also been identified as a risk factor for avian influenza, when in close proximity to bird housing. Producers are strongly encouraged to restrict vehicle access to the perimeter of the farm, or to locations that are at least 30 meters away from the barn, eliminating the need for waste or feed delivery services, personnel, or equipment to come into close contact with animal areas. Rendering and feed trucks in particular have been shown to be associated with farm infection when coming near barns. Producers can reduce this risk of infection by using on-farm methods of disposal like burial, composting, or incineration. 

Sharing of equipment among poultry farms, such as shared egg racks and pallets, has led to outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, and should be avoided. When sharing equipment is necessary, the equipment should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to use. 

Internal Biosecurity

As it is reportable as a foreign animal disease, a positive isolation of highly pathogenic avian influenza would lead to a rapid government and industry response to try to control the spread of the virus. This would likely include culling the entire flock of the infected animal to minimize the risk of widespread infection and the virus spreading to other flocks. Due to the potential of significant economic impacts on individual producers and industry, as well as international trade, it is imperative that early detection occurs. 

Take Home Messages

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is a reportable disease and has previously been detected in Canadian flocks. It takes a concerted effort by the poultry industry to implement biosecurity practices, particularly external biosecurity measures, to prevent the entry of this disease into uninfected farms. 

Work with your veterinarian to ensure that your farm biosecurity program is well designed to prevent the introduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza and other diseases.