The Boomerang Effect

 

Staying Ahead of the Curve

After a spring of dealing with HPAI in the US, many states are returning to normal operations.  While this may seem logical, a new sense of  wonder is starting to be discussed.  What is it going to be like in the fall when waterfowl will be returning on their migration south?

 The answer is "it all depends"...  Farms that have prepared for high levels of biosecurity in the fall should weather the storm ahead.  Take the time to look at the farm and tighten up those loose ends that could help reduce HPAI exposure.  This would include setting exclusion lines over rain retention ponds and wastewater lagoons to prevent waterfowl from landing.  Continue to check and repair netting in rafters and inlets to reduce any access by wild birds into the house.  Mow grass near the housing to prevent rodents from getting too close.  And, fix leaky feed bin boots that spill feed drawing wild birds to a house.

Review your Farm Biosecurity plans for people and vehicle movement onto the farm.  This could include building a package drop hut at the farm lane or a danish entry point in the entrance to a poultry house.  Adding on now while it is warm is better than building in the middle of winter.  By keeping ahead of migration you may be able to bypass any major disease from coming onto your farm.

Keeping your eye on the ball

 
It is important to stay ahead of the curve

2022 Looks to be a challenging year for poultry producers worldwide.  High Path avian flu has hit North America and has challenged producers and backyard enthusiasts alike.  Millions of birds were lost and hundreds if not thousands of lives of those working with poultry have been affected.  As with COVID in humans, a quick response to hold outbreaks of HPAI in the US at bay will depend on both sheer luck and everyone's attention to detail as it pertains to biosecurity.

 Biosecurity is more an attitude than a practice.  The principles have been explained by many, but it takes all doing their part to make it happen.  Make each poultry farm a compartmentalized entity while the migration is still being undertaken and hopefully we will come out of this year with more birds alive than dead.  Small efforts have big results.  Be sure to have a biosecurity plan made for your farm.  Be ahead of the curve.  (photo:collegian.psu.edu)

 

Keeping it Clean

The C is more important than the D

When we speak of biosecurity, many folks immediately jump to disinfectants, application methods, and types of surfaces you have to C&D (clean and disinfect).  But if a surface is not clean first, there is no hope of disinfecting well, especially if the surface is really dirty.  To make your disinfectant work better, be sure to clean the item you are trying to disinfect. 

source: columbia.edu

Dry clean and then wash in soap and water if possible.  The soap and scrubbing action will remove many of the germs that you wish to kill.  With a clean surface any remaining germs will be killed with the proper disinfectant.  So if I have to choose, I would pick hot water and soap over just a disinfectant on a very dirty boot.  Contact time and scrubbing will help with removing dirt from most surfaces.  I carry liquid soap, water and a shallow pan in order to wash my rubber boots from my car every time a make a visit to a poultry farm.  I always follow up with a spray of disinfectant to finish the job.  When washing hands, scrub with soap and water then use a gel to sanitize.

Make it FIT: Using Personal Protective Equipment

Proper use is needed to protect YOU
All poultry workers who work in hazardous areas should consider using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).  PPE that is not properly sized or tested on the individual prior to entering a hazardous area could jeopardize the health and safety of that worker.  Consider "FIT" testing all equipment prior to entering the hazard zone.  Respirators need to be sized for the face used.  Equipment that is too small or large could pose a leak hazard.  Clean shaven faces will provide the best seal for respiratory protective equipment.  Disposable respirators may have a limit on time of use.  Consult manufacture and OSHA guidance toward use of these pieces of equipment.

Source: Moldex

When deciding of disposable clothing, consider upsizing to a larger size to ensure freedom of movement.  Trimming or rolling sleeves and pant legs will assist smaller persons in fitting into their equipment.  Consider using a "Valet" to assist in donning PPE that may need to be taped down around gloves, boots or other equipment.  Choose garments for the type of protection you need, considering that comfort may be compromised in high level protective clothing. 

Consider using layers, especially with gloves to provide protection from tearing or ripping. A protective glove against abrasion may cover a rubber glove that protects against biological hazards.  Be sure to size gloves to prevent cramping or tears.  Test wear gloves by tying around your wrist to see if you are allergic to latex, and consider other materials should you develop skin irritation.  Disposable footwear may tear in certain poultry environments.  Consider washable footwear that can take these irregular surfaces.

Hard hats and bump hats should be worn in areas where falling objects are possible, as well as moving equipment or objects in line of travel of the head.  These hats should be adjusted so that momentary stooping will not cause the hat to fall off.  Check suspension systems in the hat for proper operation.

Eye protection needs to be robust enough for the perceived hazards.  Flying objects such as grinder slag or wood chips in a mill may require full face protection in addition to protection surrounding the eye.  Consider eye protective equipment with seals for areas of high contamination.

PPE does not require a huge outlay to protect, so long as the chosen equipment is the right type for the job and is properly fitted.  Be safe, and check before donning.

Vectors and Fomites keeping - both at bay

What you carry is important - Keep It Clean

Source: Wikipedia

When we think of biosecurity on poultry farms we mostly think of live animals that could transmit a disease to our flocks.  These are "Vectors" that are carriers of different diseases that may not affect them but could bring losses to your farm.  Wild birds, rodents and wild mammals can harbor or transmit diseases to birds.  It is also the reason most poultry farms are single species so that chickens will not spread diseases to turkeys, and ducks to pretty much the other two.

A "Fomite" on the other hand is a inanimate object that can also transfer diseases mechanically.  Shoes and boots, tools and other equipment moved from house to house also needs to be cleaned and disinfected in order to keep infections to a minimum.  Even flies by the nature of their travels are considered fomites as the move from manure to bird.  These too should be limited on the farm as much as possible.

To to control the first thing to do is to clean the object of any obvious dirt, grime and manure.  Secondly, use a good disinfectant to reduce further any lingering viruses and bacteria remaining on the clean object.  A log sheet should be kept for farm
equipment that is loaned out to other farms or is rented to keep a trail of exposure to a minimum.  And a local car wash is a farmers friend as trucks move from farm to farm.  By staying on top of this task, you help reduce your chance of an exposure to disease.