Farms.com Home   News

Biosecurity Key Piece Of Puzzle In Combatting Avian Influenza

“Nothing about biosecurity is difficult to master. There are three general principles to a successful program – go onto a farm clean, leave the farm clean, and if in doubt…clean and disinfect,” said Shawn Carlton, technical service manager with CobbVantress,
at USPOULTRY’s 2015 Hatchery-Breeder Clinic held in Nashville, Tenn.
 
In his presentation, Carlton provided best practices for “Sanitation at the Breeder Farm.” He emphasized the need for a biosecurity program that includes monitoring and control methods such as water sanitation, reduction of stressors that may cause bacterial infection in flocks, equipment disinfection and contamination monitoring. Carlton
discussed how the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak has highlighted the need for biosecurity procedures in and around the farm, remarking, “Biosecurity is a good investment to prevent viruses, bacteria and microbes from affecting the flocks.”
 
"I believe our single best hope is biosecurity, both for prevention and control of spreading. There is no way we can begin to plan for a worst-case scenario for the fall season unless we know site specific biosecurity, depopulation and disposal plans to combat this highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza,” warned Dr. Charles Hatcher, state veterinarian for Tennessee.
 
In his presentation, “Avian Influenza . . . What to Do Now to Prepare for the Fall Season,” Dr. Hatcher provided a brief overview of the key factors facing both domestic and international turkey and egg layers as related to biosecurity concerns and the economic impact of this far-reaching pandemic. He also outlined steps hatchery and breeder managers can take to reduce the risk of disease introduction to the flock. 
 
Click here to see more...

Trending Video

U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan | Made by Producers for Producers

Video: U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan | Made by Producers for Producers

Join Jill Brokaw, a third-generation pig farmer and staff member of the National Pork Board, as she dives into the vital role of the US Swine Health Improvement Plan, also known as US SHIP. The program establishes a national playbook of standards for monitoring African swine fever and classical swine fever.

Why Should Pork Producers Care? If a disease breaks out, officials will establish a control area to help contain the disease. This plan is designed to mitigate risk and demonstrate freedom of disease at the site level. The goal is to support business continuity outside of the control area in case of an outbreak.

How Will the Pork Industry Use US SHIP? US SHIP uses already existing programs to support the standards for biosecurity, traceability and disease surveillance.

Biosecurity: This plan uses your completed Secure Pork Supply plan to demonstrate compliance with the biosecurity program standards and shows your ability to reduce the risk of disease introduction.

Traceability: AgView can be used to demonstrate compliance with the traceability standards and the ability to electronically provide State and Federal agencies the traceability information they need to determine where disease is and isn’t.

Disease Surveillance: The Certified Swine Sampler Collector Program helps expand the number of people certified to take samples. In the event of a large-scale foreign animal disease outbreak, we will need a trained group of sample collectors to help animal health officials find where the disease is present. This is to help you demonstrate freedom of disease and support the permitted movement of animals.

Getting Started with US SHIP:

1. Enroll in U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan

2. Share 30 days of movement data

3. Have a completed Secure Pork Supply Plan

4. Become U.S. SHIP certified

5. Maintain communication with your state

Takeaway: U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan helps safeguard animal health. Together, we're creating a sustainable future for pork production in the United States and taking steps to strengthen the business of U.S. pork producers everywhere