AVIAN INFLUENZA PREPAREDNESS.

Avian influenza has been reported in japan,Canada,Taiwan e.t.c. The necessary bio security measures are in place,surveillance control are also on going. Bio security and surveillance is the only way to stop the virus.The next line of action for countries not yet affected is to be proactive and beef up surveillance,monitoring at points of entry ,at poultry farms ,markets and airports.The same way the Ebola virus infection was monitored and controlled the AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS SHOULD ALSO BE TACKLED. The infection control preparedness measures set in motion has prevented avian infection in Hong Kong. The proactive prevention plan implemented widely in Hong kong healthcare system was a significant factor preventing the spread of influenza strain A H7N9 =BIRD FLU.(Jan 2015 issue of infection control and hospital epidemiology.) The infection control implemented an integrated approach utilizing active and enhanced surveillance,early airborne infection isolation,rapid molecular diagnostic testing and extensive tracing for health workers with unprotected exposure.The enhanced surveillance methods appeared to be an important key to detection of H7N9. With the above course of action and outcome,all hands must be on deck to stop the bird flu virus. BE PROACTIVE =BIO SECURITY +SURVEILLANCE= STOP THE AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS.

AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE..

Japan has culled 37,000 chicken after a 3rd outbreak.Taiwan culls 120,000 birds after detection of H5N2,according to focus Taiwan today. The report suggests that the outbreak on the farm started started in December with sporadic cases confirming avian influenza.The head of agric dept(YAO CHIH-WAY) said his department have put a ban on the movement of chickens and begun to disinfect the farms and will continue monitoring, some wild birds have also died suddenly. In Zhaoqing,following the human cases; control and surveillance measures have been put in action and citizen notified of necessary prevention protocols. The center for health protection of the department of health as @7/jan/15 has been notified of the human cases and they have taken the following steps; The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (January 7) closely monitoring an additional human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Zhaoqing notified by the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province (GDHFPC), and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel. According to the GDHFPC, the male patient, aged 56 with underlying illnesses, was hospitalized for management in critical condition. "Locally, we will remain vigilant and work closely with the World Health Organization and relevant health authorities to monitor the latest developments," a spokesman for the DH said. All boundary control points have implemented health surveillance measures. Thermal imaging systems are in place for body temperature checks on inbound travelers. Suspected cases will be immediately referred to public hospitals for follow-up. The DH's Port Health Office has enhanced body temperature checks by handheld devices. Regarding health education for travelers, the display of posters and broadcasting of health messages in departure and arrival halls, environmental health inspection and provision of regular updates to the travel industry and other stakeholders will be enhanced. Travelers, especially those returning from avian influenza-affected areas with fever or respiratory symptoms, should immediately wear masks, seek medical attention and reveal their travel history to doctors. Health-care professionals should pay special attention to patients who might have had contact with poultry, birds or their droppings in affected areas. The public should remain vigilant and take heed of the advice against avian influenza below: * Do not visit live poultry markets and farms. Avoid contact with poultry, birds and their droppings; * If contact has been made, thoroughly wash hands with soap; * Avoid entering areas where poultry may be slaughtered and contact with surfaces which might be contaminated by droppings of poultry or other animals; * Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating; * Wash hands frequently with soap, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, handling food or eating; after going to the toilet or touching public installations or equipment (including escalator handrails, elevator control panels and door knobs); and when hands are dirtied by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing; * Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with a tissue and put it into a covered dustbin; * Avoid crowded places and contact with fever patients; and * Wear masks when respiratory symptoms develop or when taking care of fever patients.

BIRD FLU.

AVIAN INFLUENZA; BIRD FLU. The highly pathogenic influenza virus is rearing its head in certain countries around the world and ravaging the poultry industry, Avian influenza virus affects birds such as chickens,turkeys, pheasants,water ducks,parrots,partridges,emus,quails and ostriches,although the susceptibility to virus varies as some birds show more fulminating signs(chickens) and others sub clinical signs(water ducks). The virus can survive outside the host for a considerable time. The route of the infection has been linked to migratory birds which harbor the virus with no clinical signs, their droppings contaminated pond of the water fowls, these pick the virus and their contact with other birds enhance the spread . The mode of spread: is from bird to bird by contact with secretions,dropping and contaminated bedding. Vehicles,equipment and tools also facilitate spread.Personnel moving between farms,abattoirs and poultry markets also facilitate spread,hence BIO SECURITY measures must be adhered to strictly on farms. The avian influenza virus strikes resulting in sudden increased mortality, however these are signs of BIRD FLU. 1) Ruffled feathers. 2)soft shelled eggs, 3)depression and drowsiness. 4)loss of appetite. 5)bluish combs. 6)green diarrhoea. 7)in coordination/paralysis. 8)hemorrhaging on feet and shank. 9}blood tinged discharge from nostrils. 10)respiratory difficulties. 11) edema of comb,wattles and eye lids. The above signs many poultry farmers can relate to because some other conditions also exhibit some of the signs,these leads them to vaccination, treatment after culling some birds.This is where the problem lies, the first step should be for you to take log of activities for the last 2 weeks; what came in?, what activities were out?,who came in?,which standard operations procedure did you or did you not perform?.while you take log of your activities, restrict movement to your farm, dispose dead birds promptly, give your birds vitamins in water and call your vet.

BIRD FLU.

Washington,Oregon activate bird flu alert. 30 countries restricts US poultry. In Germany, a white stork tested positive to H5N8,the stock and 8 other birds in the ROSTOCK ZOO. Three human cases of H7N9 in ZHAOQING. All border control points have implemented health surveillance measures. 2 people diagnosed with bird flu in egypt as @ 6/1/2015,the human cases upticks in Egypt. Bio security measures up scaled in farms,markets and control points.Airport surveillance also in place,passengers coming into country from AI zones are using masks and are monitored. Citizens are advised about safety measures such as; avoiding crowded zones.Covering mouth when sneezing and coughing.washing and cleaning surfaces with disinfectants, washing hands constantly especially after handling poultry products.

BIRD FLU.

STOP THE VIRUS ! SAVE THE BIRDS.

BIRD FLU.

The bird flu saga continues, as the virus has been identified in birds in backyard poultry in Washington state and Oregon. The highly pathogenic strain has been identified in broiler chicken and turkeys in BC,Canada.The viral infection has led to culling of 42000 birds in Japan as @ 30/12/14, leading to banning of poultry products and birds originating from japan. The banning of poultry products has also extended to the U.S.A as some countries have opted out of importing from them. A second wave of infection has been reported in Washington state, in a farm near the foci infection, and this has been traced to some ducks moved from the foci of infection to this new farm.The 2 farmers are friends so they exchange birds,without knowledge that the ducks had the virus,leading to sudden deaths of birds in this new farm. This has prompted the UTAH,U.S. agric and wildlife authorities to issue a bird flu alert to back yard poultry farmers in the state; advising them to increase their bio security measures.The Utah state is on course of a migratory bird route,thus they enjoined farmers to keep wild birds away from poultry. BIRD FLU UPDATE; based on the flu infection in some parts of the world, the most logical thing will be to be pro active and step up bio security in our farms. BIO SECURITY; the following actions are advised. 1) Restrict movement to your farms. 2)Make a full strength of bleach- water solution and use as foot dips, tyre wash, use in drains ,also use to clean surfaces in the farm. 3)Dont bring in birds from unknown sources, and dont transfer birds between farms. 4) keep poultry away from wild birds and water fowl. 5) Report any case of sudden high motalities in your birds. Be alert and sensitive; step up bio security. Thanks to the poultrysite.com.

Harvesting the EcoPOD.

The composting cycle is 8-12 weeks,after which the ecopods are opened and the material is left static for 30-60 days. The mature compost adds nitrogen to soil. There is no need to cover the curing pile as the material is stable from the composting,once this is over the product is screened and put to use. Waste management has always been an environmental problem, but going with the green environment campaign,AG BAGS are necessary tools to a ensure a safer environment.

AG BAGS.

Ag-bags are flexible,efficient and reliable agricultural storage systems.The bags are safe and effective for composting,making silage,storing feeds . When ag bags are used for storage of feed,it makes the feed easily digestible by the animals ,highly metabolized in the animals ensuring rapid growth and development. The ag-bags used for composting is a better recycling method of waste,as it avoid expensive land fill costs and it gives a greener solution to waste management. HOW THE AG BAGS ARE USED FOR COMPOSTING.;

Pest free zone.

DISEASE causing pests abound in the environment resulting in the use of pesticides .Pest are categorized and hence method of control is based on our focus . Insects are a nuisance in the environment resulting in disease.They also cause economic losses in homes, offices , feed stores and farm lots. There is a new handy pack of insecticides that help eliminate these pest; its B OLIVE INSECTICIDE.This will eliminate cockroaches,bugs,flies, spiders,wall geckos and other crawling insects. This potent insecticide can be used as a fumigant for offices,warehouses,garages, and stores.

FRESHEN UP YOUR ENVIRONMENT.

Its a fresh burst of sunshine; freshen up your environment with B OLIVE AIR FRESHENER. The air freshener deodorizes the environment and leaves a long lasting fragrance.

ELECTRICITY IN A BAG.

The ecopod is an alternative to the other familiar biogas generators.The compost in the pad can be linked to a gas storage tank for onward channeling to homes,rural areas, e.t.c.

ECO PODS.

Waste from the following sources are of value in the ecopod, although these need to be sized,mixed and moist for onward transfer to the ag bags.

WASTE MANAGEMENT.

Waste management is simply the method of handling waste such that it becomes a resource and not a pollutant. There are various channels of waste generation such as farm waste, animal waste,human waste and municipal solid waste(MSW). The waste generated are processed in various ways ,and the products are used in different ways.The major way of processing waste is composting,although this is carried out using various methods. Composting can be done in tanks with 3 holes, a revolving drum , in bags, plastic bags or laid out in designated points. The benefits of composting are enormous and these include : 1) reduces the cost of waste collection and disposal. 2)reduces pathogenic organisms,harmful insects and weed seeds that are released to the atmosphere. 3)eliminates the need for commercial fertilizers. 4)it enriches the soil. 5) it can be used to produce bio-fuel. The making of compost is now easy,inexpensive and reduced labor cost with the use of AG-BAGS CALLED ECO PODS. The bags are made of recycled plastic and are sold with all necessary parts to make an EcoPOD® compost. The controlled compaction is used for all types of materials, densities, moistures , and particle sizes. EcoPOD® is adjusted with its own valving and aeration controls to individualize the composting process, yet use a minimal amount of labor and supervision. Our system is reliable and efficient with capacities to match any requirement.Ag-Bag Environmental offers a patented technology with a high degree of process control. Composting is a choice in this age as it reduces material volume and produces products that enhance soil structure and benefits new growth. The Ag bags have the following added advantages; odor control, vector control,leachate control, reduced cycle time of composting,and reduced site area. The AG BAGS ARE ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY EASY AND SAFE TO USE. The bags can also be used for feed storage, salt storage and as a silage bag.

Enhancing poultry value and performance with drug-free ration.

There are so many schools of thought on the use of drugs, growth promoters in animal feed, with every thought claiming a better advantage over the other. The use of in- feed medications has been an issue for a while, but more and more people are opting for animals raised without in-feed medication , thus resulting in many major feed millers switching to feed production without medication. The C.E.O of Fischer feeds in Ontario, Canada is one of such; he decided to stop using in-feed anticoccidials in his feed mill ,his strategy was to put more emphasis on nutrition ,particularly in the early stages of chick development and to keep coccidiosis in check, relying more on a live- oocyst vaccine. Dr. Rae Fischer, says he “hates putting chemicals and antibiotics in feed”, he told CocciForum magazine in 2005 (issue 11).He says “I want the emphasis to be on good nutrition programs with quality raw materials, ingredients and processing.” He added that poultry raised without antibiotics is what consumers want and the producers should embrace drug free production. Dr. Fischer was prompted to shift to non medicated feed production for the following reasons; a) Consumer demand: more and more people are clamoring for birds raised without antibiotics. b) Better implementation of science: Dr Fischer felt that medications in feed were not the best way to keep enteric diseases at bay. c) Market report: there has been a lot of feedback stating that this results in resistance after prolonged use. Dr Fischer further explained that the use of antibiotics may result in insult to livestock thus resulting in animals with diseases that are not visible to the eye but are subsequently passed on to consumers. Feeds without medication shifts focus to good management, nutrition and vaccination as a means of promoting good intestinal health.

FEEDING OUR ANIMALS.

The saying you are what you eat holds true for you and your animals.Animal husbandry is basically to produce animal products for growth ,development and profit, hence the management of this animals is such that they reach the appropriate market weight and reach maximum productivity.This has led to a lot of management techniques that gets the animal/products to the market but the consumers bear most of the brunt . Animals are fed medicated feed because of pathogenic bacteria,some of these bacteria develop resistance ,multiply and spread to their products and invariably to those that consume them. The livestock farmers also give growth promoters to their animals to enhance rapid growth and productivity,while the animals reach market size within a shorter time,the residues of these are consumed in the animal products ; this has been linked to early sexual maturity,obesity and certain hormonal dysfunction in children. Animals have intestinal bacteria,but instead of giving medicated feed, proper management practices and balanced nutrition will be a better way to secure intestinal health of animals and also preventing infection in man. ANIMAL HEALTH= HUMAN HEALTH : YOU ARE WHAT YOUR ANIMALS EAT. The pictures shows the chain reactions that results from resistance to antibiotics.( thanks to C.D.C) http://rpc.icerocket.com:10080