HPAI prevention requires ‘buckle-up’ mentality to biosecurity.

 

HPAI prevention requires ‘buckle-up’ mentality to biosecurity.  The only option for poultry farms to prevent an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is 100% adherence to biosecurity rules. 

 “You can be doing 99% of [biosecurity] correctly and somebody does one thing wrong and brings the disease into the farm,” reported Bret Rings, DVM, Cobb-Vantress. “Think of biosecurity as a chain — it is only as strong as the weakest link.” 

 Strengthening biosecurity requires building a culture that makes following protocols second nature for everyone on the farm. “It’s like a seat belt; it is protection that you use and do all the time because you never know when you will need it,” Rings said. “You never know when you will be exposed to HPAI and you need to protect your flock.” 

                Build a biosecurity culture.

 A biosecurity culture must be built into how producers do business every day, Rings explained, during a recent HPAI risk webinar hosted by the University of Arkansas. He recommended using communications and training to help transfer the importance of biosecurity to growers and farm staff: Communications – Biosecurity protocols must be communicated to everyone on the farm, from the grower to hourly employees.

The protocols should be clear, simple and based on scientific data. It’s important for everyone to understand protocols are to be followed consistently and with no exceptions. “You need to find creative ways to share that information, whether by a personal conversation, a one-page document, poster or meeting where you discuss the importance of biosecurity in today’s environment with HPAI taking place,” he said. 

 Training, training, training — In addition, regular training helps build the culture while reinforcing the correct way to follow biosecurity protocols. Rings suggested using small meetings or get-together with farm staff for the training. 

The training also shows staff that biosecurity is a priority. “It comes down to some persuasion and motivation,” he added. “Emphasize to farm workers that biosecurity is of utmost importance. The threat is real; it can happen to anyone, and it does.

The rise of Avian Influenza.

 

So far, 2022 has been a deadly year for the world’s birds. Avian influenza continues to rise, and this is hot on the heels of two years that the U.S. CDC says saw more outbreaks than the previous four years combined. Each outbreak of avian influenza can have huge ramifications for animal and human welfare. And, of course, a devastating impact on the economy and global food security. 

Just a single outbreak in the Netherlands in 2003 cost an estimated 150 million euros and the culling of some 30 million birds. Right now, other countries – like the UK – are facing similar losses. A look at the current spread of avian influenza and the evolving discussion on vaccination. 

  Biosecurity and hygiene is currently the first line of defense against avian influenza in most countries. While this can limit exposure, this is not fool proof as outbreaks grow in size and scope each year. The U.S. CDC has reported that globally “there were more outbreaks reported in 2020-2021 than in the previous four years combined.” What’s more, viruses are cropping up in countries that have been clear of avian influenza for many years – like Canada. 

The CDC reports that, in December 2021, HPAI A (H5N1) viruses were detected in birds in Newfoundland. This is the first identification of this virus in the Americas since June 2015. Vaccines have been considered as a potential control measure against avian influenza, but these are often not widely available or used in many markets. There has been some recent discussion about re-evaluating vaccination though. 

 According to Julien Denormandie the French agriculture minister,There is “no other solution in the long term than to have vaccination.”  Vaccines are often not used due to concerns about trade disruptions. 

In the past, export bans have been enforced on countries with vaccination policies. This is due to concerns such as not being able to differentiate vaccinated animals from infected animals, which occurs if a vaccine is not a 'DIVA vaccine'. DIVA vaccines and diagnostics :DIVA stands for Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals. For Avian influenza, this can be achieved by using a vaccine based on a different strain (e.g. H5N2) than the current field strain (e.g. H5N1) and using a serological test that can differentiate between vaccine-induced antibodies (e.g. against N2) and antibodies against the field virus (N1).

  Current thoughts on whether there may be scope for vaccination in the future:

 The loss of millions of birds is a significant welfare issue that requires considering all avenues of prevention. 

 The Poultry Veterinary Study Group of the EU published a paper in October calling for an ‘open-minded evaluation’ of vaccines, saying it would ‘offer better protection to poultry'. 

 The French minister of agriculture sees vaccination as a long-term, viable solution in the face of rising losses. Though it may be too late to mitigate the impact of the current outbreaks, vaccination could become a future prevention measure alongside alongside biosecurity and other tools. 

 The info graphic below shows the impact of Avian Influenza in 2021.

Higher welfare systems needed to end routine use of antibiotics in animal production.

 

Could current animal welfare standards in industrial production systems undermine the European Commission’s ambitious new rules to restrict the use of antimicrobials in livestock production?

Wearable device for racehorses could help prevent fatal injuries.

The world’s top thoroughbreds and jockeys compete across multiple races for a prize pot that this year totals more than £6.5 million. It’s a dangerous sport, however. More than 150 of the UK’s 14,000 or so racehorses are killed each year and thousands more are injured. In the US, around 500 are killed a year. A wearable device that monitors a horse’s physical well-being during a race could help. Major horse-racing events attract animal-rights campaigners. TV presenter and conservationist Anneka Svenska attended this year’s Royal Ascot wearing the largest hat in the event’s history. Streamers of red roses cascaded to the ground to signify horses’ deaths at the races. Many of these deaths are due to over-exertion during a race or fractures that result in a horse being put down. The new device, called the Equimètre and developed by start-up Arioneo in Paris, France, is designed to reduce the number of fatalities and prevent injury as well as help trainers to hone a horse’s performance. The Equimètre’s sensor fits into the girth – a strap around a horse’s middle that keeps the saddle on. This records physiological data such as temperature and heart and respiratory rate – plus information about the animal’s movement such as acceleration and speed. The device also monitors environmental conditions, such as humidity. A trainer can view the data in real time via an app. There are existing smart devices for racehorses that capture this kind of data. But the Equimètre then runs the stats through algorithms that compare them with past performances. “A trainer’s eye is very important and we do not want to replace their expertise,” says Arioneo co-founder Valentin Rapin, “but this tool will give trainers information they don’t have today.” Rather than just showing an increase in heart rate, for example, the device can put this into context and tell the trainer what it means for that particular horse in those particular conditions. “It can prevent overtraining,” says Rapin. Rapin thinks the device will also help catch injuries such as bucked shins, where the tissue covering the shin bone becomes painfully inflamed. Around 70 per cent of young thoroughbred racehorses suffer from the condition and it can lead to more serious problems, such as stress fractures, which often result in a horse being killed. Rapin and his colleagues plan to launch the Equimètre in early 2017. Hervé Moreau, a horse vet based in La Ferté-Saint-Cyr, France, welcomes the device. “The early detection of locomotion problems can only improve diagnosis,” he says. “Similarly, optimizing the training programme will reduce the risk of stress fractures.” Contributed by the New scientist.

POLLUTION IN THE OCEAN AND EFFECT ON ANIMALS.

via GIPHY

The indiscriminate dumping of trash in the sea is not only hazardous to animals but man as well. A large number of plastic bags,wires,hooks all end up in bellies of animals causing death and also degradation of the environment. Most of these products are plastics which dont decompose easily thus releasing chemicals in the sea and on land gradually leading to various forms of poisoning. Pollution is a silent killer.

 When next you want to throw trash in the sea,remember its coming back to you somehow. Use the trash can always!!! Wait ! There is a floating trash can .see how it works.