Avian Influenza: Myths and Realities

Current Bird flu situation in Poultry Globally.

Outbreaks of avian influenza (bird flu) among poultry occur periodically worldwide.

1. Development and spread of AI will be a key factor in the year 2023 globally.

a) Global pandemic of AI will be challenging and need new strategies like Biosecurity and adaptation of vaccines to protect the industry.

2. The poultry industry continues to be resilient:

- The industry faces many challenges.

- Uncertainties in the global economy.

- Rising costs.

- Energy cost is a big one here.

- Avian influenza has been devastating globally latest in South America.

- After Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela and Chile have reported cases of avian influenza causing much concern globally.

3. From late 2021 to current 2022, the predominant HPAI A(H5) virus subtype causing poultry outbreaks worldwide is A(H5N1), according to OIE.

a) In December 2021, new HPAI A(H5N1) virus poultry outbreaks pdf icon[610 KB, 6 pages]external icon were reported in Africa (Niger), Europe (Germany, Russian, Sweden, Denmark and Portugal) and Asia (Israel, Japan, Korea and Vietnam).

b) Ongoing HPAI A(H5N1) virus poultry outbreaks for which there were new reported outbreaks included Africa (Nigeria), Asia (Israel, Japan, Korea, Vietnam) and Europe (Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary.)

4. OIE data collected on 18,620 HPAI A virus outbreaks in poultry between 2005 and 2019 reported by 76 affected countries and territories showed that spread of HPAI A virus among birds typically is lowest in September, begins to rise in October, and peaks in February.

5. Between 2005 and 2020, HPAI A viruses resulted in the death and mass slaughter of more than 246 million poultry worldwide, with peaks in 2006 and 2016, according to OIE.

6. During the peaks in 2006 and 2016, about a quarter of the world’s countries were affected with HPAI A viruses, according to OIE.

7. CDC coordinates with the World Health Organization and other international partners to minimize the public health risk posed by bird flu viruses.

8. Both HPAI and LPAI A virus outbreaks occur among poultry sporadically and pose serious challenges to poultry farmers across the Globe.

Source (CDC: Centers for Disease control and prevention)

9. Biosecurity: Bio-security is of immense help to reduce disease hazards and improve health and productivity of birds.

a) Optimum and profitable poultry production can be achieved by reducing disease risk to minimum extent

b) Biosecurity is important to keep lethal, highly contagious diseases out of premises, example Newcastle disease, avian influenza, etc.

c) The points involved with day to day running of the site. Includes routine disinfection, control of visitors, source of stock, etc.

10. Be sure to use a disinfectant in the poultry farms which is active against most pathogens, effective in the presence of organic material and active under the local outdoor temperatures.

11. Vaccinations are part of your biosecurity programme and should be tuned to the local disease pressure.

Right effective disinfectant in your poutry farm.

12. Please use Vulkan-S of Huvepharma which is Bactericide, Virucide and Fungicide disinfectant at the dose of 5 gms for litre of water in foot dips and change for every 4 to 5 days.

13. In case of cleaning of egg trays, water drinkers, feeders and other equipment use
Vulkan-S at 10 gms for litre of water.

14. Please immerse the equipment in tank with the disinfectant solution and keep for 15 to 30 mts , brush it and clean with fresh water and use.

15. Disinfection in the presence of birds , please use Vulkan-S of Huvepharma at the dose of 5 gm for 1 litre of water and spray the solution in the air above 1 meter above birds. Please spray 5ml to 8 ml per sq.ft of the solution.

16. Please always remember that speedy action will help to protect other flocks in the area.

17. Remember that motivation is key to success in keeping the farm biosecure.

Subhodayam
Dr V. Rajendra Prasad