COCCIDIOSIS; VACCINATION A BETTER OPTION.

Coccidiosis is an intestinal disease affecting birds,its caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus EIMERIA. There are various species of eimeria affecting different segments of the intestine.The parasite is introduced to the flock by ingestion of the oocyst from dropping of infected birds,contaminated litter and bedding.The protozoan parasite effects on intestines results in poor feed utilization and malabsorption due to damage of intestinal lining.The damage to intestinal lining predisposes the birds to cross infection by Clostridium perfringens,which causes necrotic enteritis. The economic implication of coccidiosis on poultry production can be overuled simply by vaccinating birds at day one.This stimulates development of natural immunity against eimeria. This early exposure confers protection on the birds so that the intestinal health is maintained, which ensures that feed consumed is properly absorbed and utilized. Feeding accounts for 75% of cost of production in poultry, it is of pertinent importance that factors that will increase the cost should be avoided. Disease control/ prevention and management protocols should be well planned with strict compliance. Coccidiosis is a global issue and strategies have evolved over the years on management of the disease,vaccination of the flock has been adduced the most effective. Vaccination of birds coupled with moisture management in litters plays a significant role in prevention of coccidiosis.The production of drug-free animals for human consumption has further tipped vaccination as a better option to prevent coccidiosis in poultry. The campaign of no antibiotics and anticoccidials in poultry feed has been incorporated in Japan with the CP Bangkok producing drug-free birds.Dr Kreeta Khanti, a veterinarian and senior vice president stated that 1/2 of the 60 million broiler chicken produced annually by the Charoen Pokphand's poultry operation are now raised without antibiotics and anticoccidials. The company has stated that vaccinating for coccidiosis is a better option,it allows production of drug-free birds without sacrificing weight gain,conversion or profitability. The option of vaccination adds more value to their products and premium price on their products. The consumers today are much more concerned about what they eat,how the products are produced,handled stored and packaged.This awareness has made people kick against unwholesome products and opt in for organic foods/ antibiotic-free animal by products. Animal health is indeed human health.

COCCIDIOSIS AND ITS IMPACT ON POULTRY PRODUCTION.

Coccidiosis a common disease of poultry caused by the parasite Eimeria of various spp. The Eimeria spp,affects the intestines of birds,some species affect the caeca and others the small intestine. Chicken affected by coccidiosis show varying signs depending on the type of the organisms that are affecting the birds. Birds are generally in bad conditions,depressed,blood in droppings, inappetence,pale comb , wattles and diarrhoea. Chicks with coccidiosis have a hunched appearance, droopy wings and the chicks appear sleepy.The effect of coccidiosis in chicks could result in acute epidemic,wasting and sudden death. The effect of coccidiosis on birds has huge impact on the production rate of the birds because of how the parasite affects the intestines and the resultant effect on feed absorption , conversion and weight gain. Coccidiosis in early stages of chick development impairs absorption and utilization of feed ,which compromises the growth of the birds and feed conversion. This results in high production cost because more feed will be required to meet market size. The exposure of chicks to live vaccine early in production will protect birds by stimulating the production of protective immunity to coccidiosis by delivering uniformly low doses of live oocysts. The use of vaccination to prevent coccidiosis is a better strategy compared to in- feed anticoccidials, or oral medication of coccidiostats. Eimeria parasite causing coccidiosis are often resistant to anticoccidial drugs, which results in sub-clinical coccidiosis often associated with in-feed anticoccidials and oral coccidiostat. Sub-clinical coccidiosis , occurs when in- feed anticoccidials lose effectiveness,thereby causing the coccidial oocyst to leak into the flock. The effect of sub-clinical coccidiosis are increased mal-absorption,reduced effective caloric value and high production cost.The coccidiosis challenge is one that impact poultry production,so it is of paramount importance to use vaccination as a tool to prevent coccidiosis. Vaccinate your birds against coccidiosis!!!!!. protect your birds!!!!. The pic are showing post mortem lesion of chicken affected by Eimeria spp. A) shows the distended small intestine with mottled haemorrhage. C) shows a cut section of the ceca showing heamorrhages . B)the severe pallor of pectoral muscle as a result of haemorrhage in ceaca.

Probiotics : a paradigm shift in animal production.

Animal husbandry/ production has gone through turns and curves,coming up with different strategies and methods to enhance production of the animals. The industry is currently under fire to stop the use of antibiotics in feed as growth promoters. 

The feed additive directly affects the animals,their production rate and their products which indirectly impacts human health. 

 

The impact of antibiotics in animal feed on human health has been linked to antibiotic resistance resulting in superbugs,thus more and more people are looking for alternatives. There is a paradigm shift in the animal food industry on how animals are raised and managed,some older forms of management are been ditched for newer approaches. 

 The just concluded international production and processing expo (IPPE) in Atlanta,U.S Dr Andrew Read of the Pennsylvania state university remarked that vaccination makes viruses "hot" more dangerous,he sited the Marek's disease stating that some vaccines drive the evolution of more virulent pathogens. 

 Prebiotics and Probiotics have also been added to feed to ensure git health,thus promoting better absorption of feed in animals resulting in enhanced growth and excellent feed conversion.

 Probiotics are alternatives to antibiotic in feed,these are incorporated into feed to manage the normal microflora of the gut which ensures the following 1) strengthen bowel wall. 2)improve mineral absorption. 3)it nurtures good bacteria , stifle production of bad,disease-causing bacteria and it causes multiplication of beneficial bacteria. 

 Probotics are usually live bacteria ,examples are Lactobacillus spp, Enterococcus faecum, Bacillus spp and bifidobacterium spp. 

 Prebiotics are specialized plant fiber that beneficially nourishes the good bacteria,the plant fibers act as fertilizers to promote the growth of many good bacteria in the gut.The prebiotic usually contain both inulin and oligofructose,which treats the entire bowel wall for maximum effectiveness. 

 The combination of prebiotic and probiotic is referred to as synbiotics, is an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. The change train is on the move, join in now.Stop the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal feed.

ATOVI; ALTERNATIVE TO ANTIBIOTIC GROWTH PROMOTERS IN ANIMAL FEED.

The ATOVI premix powder; generally referred to as the wonder feed powder.Its a feed additive, a blend of vitamins and minerals developed by nanotechnology.The ATOVI POWDER when included in animal feed promotes growth,build better muscle,uniformity of flock, improves feed conversion and utilization. The powder boost immune system,improves breeding operation,lowers feed intake, prevents diseases,controls odor of fecal matter,promotes fast recovery when used on debilitated animals. ATOVI POWDER, is used in all animal species without any side effects in man or the animals.There are no antibiotic residues in products thus enhancing better human health. Get yours today. Atovi for better animal production and management.

Antimicrobial Resistance : how antibiotic use and misuse results in antibiotic resistance.

The misuse of antibiotics in animals and man has resulted in antibiotic resistance which is a global concern.Drug resistant bacteria are responsible for hundreds of deaths,and this has been estimated to reach millions in the coming years if no action is initiated. Scientist/researchers have been at the fore front of plans to stop this menace,


President Obama has also given his voice to the fight against superbugs. The white house budget include a big funding to stop the antibiotic resistance problem, which is to be channeled to the development of the breakthrough drug "TEIXOBACTIN".

This drug has been discovered to be more potent than existing antibiotics and has been proven that many bacteria strains are susceptible to it,confirming its efficacy. The drug was discovered in the soil and holds a possible remedy to end the antibiotic resistance scourge. 

 In another development,a group of researchers in Tel Aiv university have come up with the use of a virus that makes the antibiotic-resistant bacteria sick and weak ,such that its killed off by the drug.

 A paper recently published of the proceedings of the national academy of sciences; prof Udi Qimron and his team showed how a bacteriophage; a virus that infects and replicates within a bacterium, changes the DNA ,crippling the activity of a protein that allows it to maintain its cell structure
without the protein ,the bacteria essentially collapses on itself,the bacteria is destroyed totally and becomes easy to combat with this current antibiotic.

 The war on antibiotic resistance has started with various sectors innovating new methods and approaches to save human lives and our world. Join the move now!!!! Resist indiscriminate antibiotic use in animal production to prevent antibiotic resistance!!!

Antibiotic resistance# Superbugs.

This is how it all began................................ Thanks to C.D.C for the pictorial expression. Join the change movement!!! resist the use of antibiotic in animal feed!!!. YOU ARE WHAT YOUR ANIMALS EAT!!!!

ANTIBIOTIC USE IN ANIMAL FEED AND ITS IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH.

Antibiotic resistance is one of the world's most pressing public health concern,the center for disease control and prevention records that 2 million illnesses and 23,000 deaths are caused each year by antibiotic- resistant bacteria in the US alone.

This has prompted president Obama to sign an executive order September 2014,launching federal efforts to combat the rise in antibiotic-resistance bacterial illness. The order resulted in the constitution of a task force,comprising of representatives of agriculture colleges,universities,pharmaceutical industry,animal agriculture community,veterinarians and other stakeholders,with the goal to advice the government on research agenda for alternatives to antibiotics in animal feed and to help publicly disseminate information on the effects of antibiotics in production agriculture,the group is to submit a report early February 2015. 

 Scientist,food processors,food retailers, veterinarians and some concerned citizens have shown concern about the evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria referred to as superbugs in veterinary and human medicine.The W.H.O & C.D.C have expressed serious concern as well,that some bacteria have developed defenses against different classes of antibiotic compounds. 

The W.H.O has called antibiotic resistance a problem so serious that it threatens the achievement of modern medicine and if immediate actions are not initiated,the world might go back to "pre antibiotic era." The center for science and environment has reported that it has found some antibiotic residue in some chickens sampled in Delhi,India.

The center reports that the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in poultry production has been linked to growing antibiotic resistance in Indians. India is currently experiencing a deadly antibiotic-resistant bacteria epidemic,where tens of thousands of newborns are dying ;last year about 58,000 newborns died because medicine can no longer effectively treat bacterial infections, this has prompted the C.S.E to seek a ban on use of antibiotics in poultry.

Researchers have discovered superbugs carrying a genetic code first identified in India, in other countries such as France,Japan and U.S. All efforts must be geared towards the ban on antibiotics in animal feed,and also suitable alternatives must be initiated to achieve a healthy flock,optimum production and wholesome by-products.

There are some alternatives currently used by only few producers, such as the Atovi powder, probiotics,prebiotics, organic acids, inclusion of green algae and organic feed e.t.c if more producers imbibe other alternatives ,then superbugs era will soon be history. The superbugs effect has confirmed that;WE ARE WHAT WE FEED OUR ANIMALS. JOIN THE CHANGE MOVEMENT!!!! SAY NO TO ANTIBIOTICS IN ANIMAL FEED.