BIRD FLU # THE WAY FORWARD.

The bird flu virus has affected more birds and man in certain countries, and all around the world hands are on deck to stop the virus. The basic concept is to educate the populace about the virus,the signs/symptoms,the bio security protocol that must be put in place to stop the virus and also what to do in cases of outbreak in poultry or infection in man. The approach is hygiene and isolation; ensuring that the proper agents are used correctly in bio security protocol. There are numerous agents used on farms,hospitals e.t.c to disinfect them,but the agent that readily comes to mind at this time of bird flu outbreak is VIRKON® S,as it has been proven to kill the bird flu virus among over pathogens. The issue of bio security is on going,more and more approaches to secure our farms have been birthed to help the farmers,in line with this i had a talk with some poultry farmers to educate them and give practical tips on how to handle the bird flu virus. When there is an outbreak, all the birds in the poultry / aviary/zoo will be culled and the place decontaminated and quarantined to prevent spread of the virus.In the wake of the bird flu virus saga,some birds in a zoo were infected,so all other birds in the facility had to be culled. We can stop the bird flu virus! start now!

GROWTH PROMOTERS IN ANIMAL FEED.

Feeding animals makes up a large part of production cost,hence new ways are explored to enhance feed efficiency and production of animal by products. The animal husbandry method employed is vital to production of good quality animal by- products,this is hinged mainly on feeding,feed types and feed ingredients. Feed stuff plays a key role in production as different feed ingredients adds different values to the production process, thus it is imperative to start with identifying ingredients and feed formulations that will promote growth in animals. Growth in animals are achieved in several ways; such as strategic feeding methods,feed formulations and growth promoters in feed. Growth promoters in feed are used to improve growth rate,produce better/bigger byproducts and attainment of market weight in a short time. The growth promoters function by thinning the mucous membrane of the gut to facilitate better absorption and enhance better assimilation.Growth promoters in the past was antibiotics but because of the resultant toxicity in humans,better methods have evolved. One of such method is the use of a green algae to produce bio-antibiotics, this has no resultant toxicity in humans,it improves feed conversion without inducing antibiotic resistance and the algae is completely degraded during digestion. This new method was birthed by some Italian scientist ,the production cost of this is affordable as the raw material are in abundant supply and thrive in sunlight,with carbon dioxide and air. The world food producers have realized that WE ARE WHAT OUR ANIMALS EAT, hence the move to ensure better production strategies. This move to ensure better human health actually starts by feeding our animals better,thus going the organic route is incorporated in animal husbandry.

Antibiotic use in animal and its impact on human health.

Antibiotics are used for treatment of certain diseases in animals ,but they are also incorporated into production and management in livestock. Antibiotics are used for improved performance in growth and feed efficiency, to synchronize reproductive cycle,breeding performance and control of reproductive cycle.The use of antibiotics in food animals raises concern on 2 levels: 1) the antibiotic residue in food animals result in potential toxicity and 2) the residue in milk,meat,and eggs changes the normal flora of the gut resulting in development of resistant strains of bacteria which are now resistant to normal antibiotic therapy. The use of antibiotics in food animals have tolerance levels as stipulated by W.H.O and F.A.O,but most producers do not align their production along stipulated standards.The antibiotics have stipulated withdrawal times that must elapse before such animals are slaughtered, the noncompliance with these periods are responsible for this global hazard. Antibiotic residue in food animal is a global concern because of the potential hazard it breeds,as most health concerns in man have been traced to these residues in food animals.The up surge of diabetes, obesity,kidney failure and hypertension has been linked to these residues,this is the reason most people and now certain organization have turned the organic way.People /food corporations have imbibed a no-antibiotic-ever in their foods because of the resultant effect of better health . A food company in the U.S: PERDUE FOODS, have introduced a no-antibiotic ever in their production, as they have stopped using antibiotics as growth promoter or in their hatcheries due to public concerns about the impact of antibiotic use in food animals and the impact of this on the efficacy of treatment in humans. The company has introduced its new line of no-antibiotic ever products to the school lunch program and to the public. It is of value to remember that production/animal husbandry before the new age was done with natural ingredients without any genetic alteration,antibiotic promoters and the rate of production normal,but with increasing demand of all these products,the producers embarked on a journey of fast growth, bigger egg sizes, faster feed efficiency all in the shortest possible time has culminated in these surge of health issues. Diseases hitherto un common have now evolved because of all these changes in animals,their products and consequent interaction with MAN. The fact still remains you are what you eat or better still you are what your animals eat.

HPAI # AIR TRAVEL.

The world being a global village, facilitates trade interaction between countries and also promotes smuggling of animals along trade zones. The international air travel and smuggling is a major route of introducing and spreading of the bird flu virus. A case readily comes to mind about a Thai man that brought in 2 eagles to Europe in 2004.The birds were seized at customs because import of birds to Europe from Asian countries is prohibited. The seized birds seized at the Brussels international airport showed no signs of bird flu.The birds were killed and upon diagnosis in the vet department,the HPAI was confirmed. The authorities swung in to action and traced birds that had passed through customs with the birds,they found 2 parrots,2000 parrots in quarantine and 400 birds in another quarantine area,all birds were culled to forestall spread. The health authorities went further and traced all those who had contact with the eagles;they were identified,isolated and treated with Tamiflu. The Thai man reported himself to the police when he heard that the birds were H5N1 POSITIVE,he was isolated and treated.All those who had contact with the birds were asymptomatic except the VET,that euthanize the birds,he was isolate and treated same with members of his family. The main reasons we are recording outbreaks of various diseases around the world is because of international trade facilitated by travel and also smuggling along trade routes.Stuffed animals,hides of skin used to make drums, tools/equipment have all been implicated in spreading of various diseases. It will be appropriate to advise everyone to stay away from exotic animals, do not touch them if found in the wild and dont smuggle in animals off unknown origin. BE PROACTIVE! STOP THE BIRD FLU VIRUS.

CURBING THE SPREAD OF HPAI .

The avian influenza virus ravaging poultry in some countries now and death of humans in other countries, has been linked to migratory birds that harbor the virus.The interaction of the migratory birds/ waterfowl/game birds with the domestic birds results in the fulminating HPAI infection. The virus is spread from bird to bird and flock to flock by direct/indirect contact with droppings & secretions and contaminated feed/water. The virus can be stopped by practicing basic bio security protocol, isolation and hand hygiene. The virus can be stopped in the following ways; 1) Curb smuggling of exotic birds into the country. 2) Strict custom regulations concerning import of poultry products/ birds from countries battling with the virus. 3)Enhanced bio-security in farms, live bird markets,and slaughter houses. 4)Avoid contact with infected carcasses and proper disposal of affected birds. 5)Active surveillance of farms/live bird markets/slaughter houses. 6) Early diagnosis and commencement of treatment using Tamiflu,in human subjects. 7)Mass sensitization of citizens on the virus, its mode of spread,signs of infection, and prevention strategies. 8)Hand washing policy in daily activities, the importance should be emphasized to the citizens. 9)Wear protective clothing if you work with birds. 10)wear mask,gloves if you work in an hospital,attending to infected humans. 11) Site poultry away from living quarters. 12)Control human and vehicular traffic to farms. The bird flu can be stopped, lets stop it together. BE PROACTIVE! STOP THE BIRD FLU VIRUS! USE VIRKON® S,ITS A POTENT DISINFECTANT! USE IT NOW! ITS IN YOUR HANDS.

Avian influenza ; in the news.

The H5N1 bird flu virus has been detected in the following states in Nigeria; Lagos,Ogun,Edo,Delta,Rivers,Kano and Plateau. A total of 140,390 birds have been exposed to the virus out of which 22,573 have died, and others culled. The farms have been decontaminated,quarantined and bio-security protocol enhanced .The area of infection include:21 commercial farms,9 live bird markets and a private zoo. The H5N1 virus has registered its presence in Egypt,with number of cases increased to 21 ,with 16 deaths.The infection occured in people who had close contact with infected birds/contaminated surfaces,handling and processing of birds. Israel has joined in the HPAI trend,as the virus has been discovered in Aviel farm,as @ 20/1/15; 15,000 birds have died.In a Palestinian coop,4000 birds have died. The H5N1 virus has affected 30000 birds in Israel,with 15,000 deaths and other birds destroyed. The culling of affected flock is ongoing,backyard birds will also be culled. The health officials in Israel have provided 100 safety suits for those handling infected birds, and also 1000 Tamiflu bottles provided in hospitals. The HPAI infection across the globe is a wake up call for all to imbibe high levels of bio-security protocol and ensure strict compliance. WE CAN STOP THE BIRD FLU VIRUS! STEP UP YOUR BIO-SECURITY PROTOCOL! USE VIRKON® S. The power is in your hands! Wash hands with soap and water and sanitize hands.

Avian influenza ;Tracking.

The Rivers state government of Nigeria has confirmed the bird flu virus in a poultry farm in the state.The birds have been culled,farm decontaminated and quarantined.The farms in the vicinity of the affected farm have been advised to enhance bio-security protocol. Avian influenza virus has been detected in a back yard poultry in Idaho state in the U.S..The surveillance conducted revealed several cases of H5N8 in wild ducks,H5N2 also confirmed in 3 falcons from a private,non commercial flock in Canyon county,this has been linked to contact with wild waterfowl and a small backyard poultry in the area has also tested for H5N2. A new outbreak of avian influenza has been detected in Washington state,all poultry owners have been advised to prevent contact of their birds with migratory birds.The bird flu virus found in chickens,geese,ducks was confirmed to be H5N2, hence bio-security has been enhanced in that area. Egypt has reported 20 new H5N1 cases in 2015 and 5 deaths.The avian influenza situation in the country has led to thee constitution of a high-level supreme national committee on bird flu. The health ministry of Egypt has supplied 250,000 Tamiflu bottles to hospitals and health care units to treat patients who have contacted the H5N1. The ministry also provided masks for control of flu.The deaths recorded are in people who had close contact with poultry such as; those living in the poultry area, those processing and those in live bird markets. It is very important to practice good hygiene of hand washing with soap/ sanitize hands when you handle poultry/poultry products. The power to stop bird flu is in your hands. STOP THE BIRD FLU VIRUS! BE PROACTIVE!