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Annex E(i) Biosecurity Advice for all Poultry Keepers
It is recognised that the major organisations within the Poultry industry have made significant progress towards achieving and maintaining consistently high standards of biosecurity. The number of large extensive free range units in Scotland necessitates a heightened awareness towards maintaining high standards of biosecurity. The following guidance is intended to raise the general awareness towards biosecurity for ALL keepers of poultry.
In the event of an outbreak of HPAI or ND anywhere in Great Britain, the following information will be widely distributed by the Scottish Executive as well as being displayed on the Scottish Executive's website. The Scottish Executive published in 2002 a generic Biosecurity Code detailing measures to be taken as a matter of routine to guard against HPAI or ND. For details of this, as well as advice for use during an outbreak, see the Biosecurity website, which will be regularly updated. ( http://www.scotland.gov.uk/about/eradra/lah/00015721/biosecurity.aspx).
If you suspect that your flock(s) has Avian Influenza or Newcastle Disease, isolate and stop all movement of poultry, hatching eggs, equipment and personnel. Contact your Local Animal Health Office immediately:
Ayr | Tel: 01292 268525 |
Galashiels | Tel: 01896 758806 |
Perth | Tel: 01738 602211 |
Inverurie | Tel: 01467 626300 |
Inverness | Tel: 01463 253098 |
( http://www.scotland.gov.uk/about/ERADRA/LAH/00015721/AHOMAP.aspx)
Key Information
Avian Influenza is a highly contagious viral disease affecting the respiratory, digestive and/or nervous systems.
Newcastle Disease is a highly contagious disease caused by a para-myxo virus.
Birds affected by these diseases include fowls, turkeys, geese, ducks, pheasants, guinea fowl and other wild and captive birds including ratites such as ostriches, emus and rhea.
Disease can be spread by:
- Movement of poultry, people, vehicles and equipment between and within poultry premises
- Introduction of birds of low or unknown health status
- Contact with neighbours' flocks
- Using shared farm equipment and vehicles which have not been effectively cleansed and disinfected
- Contact with vermin and wild birds
- Birds drinking from contaminated water sources
- Birds eating contaminated feed
- Unsatisfactory cleaning and disinfection of vehicles, sheds, feeding troughs and other equipment.
Clinical signs
Quickly recognising clinical signs of HPAI or ND in affected birds is vital to controlling the disease and preventing it from spreading.
Avian Influenza |
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Typically, clinical signs often present suddenly. Look out for these signs: - High mortality, often approaching 100%
- Oedema of the head
- Cyanosis of the comb and wattles
- Dullness
- Lack of appetite
- Respiratory distress
- Diarrhoea
- Reduction in egg production.
Birds may often die without any signs of disease being apparent. There can also be considerable variation in the clinical picture and severity of the disease. |
Newcastle Disease |
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Clinical signs can be very variable. The disease can be present in a very acute form with sudden onset and high mortality or as a mild disease with respiratory distress or a drop in egg production as the only detectable clinical signs. Look out for these signs: - Depression
- Lack of appetite
- Respiratory distress with beak gaping
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Snicking
- Gurgling and rattling
- Yellowish green diarrhoea and nervous signs
In laying flocks a sudden drop in egg production with a high proportion of eggs laid with abnormal (soft) shells is often an early sign of disease. Young birds are particularly susceptible and mortality can be heavy, with survivors often exhibiting permanent nervous signs. |
Stopping the spread of poultry diseases
Stringent biosecurity measures can help to avoid disease occurring or spreading to other poultry, birds or animals. It is important to apply the biosecurity precautions that suit your premises.
Look for early signs of disease
Be vigilant for any signs of disease. If you suspect Avian Influenza or Newcastle Disease contact your local Animal Health Division Office immediately. Isolate and stop all movement of poultry and hatching eggs.
Keep flocks separate
- Keep new incoming birds isolated from the rest of the established flock. Discuss with your vet and agree a testing and monitoring programme.
- Use separate equipment and staff or handle isolated birds last.
- Keep isolation buildings as near as possible to the farm entrance and separate from other poultry buildings. Ensure buildings are in good repair and actively prevent vermin from getting in and spreading any disease.
Clean and then disinfect
- Only disinfectants approved by Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department ( SEERAD) should be used. Further details are available from http://www.hmso.gov.uk/legislation/Scotland/ssi2003/20030334.htm Specified dilution rates and label recommendations must be strictly adhered to. Further advice is available from the local Animal Health Office.
- Clean and then disinfect all vehicles after each journey. If possible, do not use the same vehicles for transporting birds, feed, manure or other wastes.
- Regularly clean and then disinfect all crates, containers and other equipment before and after use. Do not move any equipment into different poultry buildings without cleaning and then disinfecting it first. This also applies to injecting and dosing equipment.
- At depopulation at the end of a cycle, thoroughly clean the building and all equipment, including ducting, drains and fans. Remove all surplus feed, dead birds and litter. Disinfect the premises and all equipment and carry out rodent and other pest control. Cleaning equipment and protective clothing should also be cleaned and then disinfected.
- All vehicles and trailers must be cleaned and then disinfected before entering and leaving poultry premises. Firstly, use water to wash off all mud before applying disinfectant. If the vehicle is dirty, disinfectant will not kill the virus. Ensure that hard to reach areas, for example, the wheels and wheel arches are properly cleaned.
- Make sure the inside of the vehicle is cleaned as well, including the foot wells, pedals and mats. Clean all areas used for carrying other things such as feed, bedding or equipment.
Keep yourself clean
- Don't bring infection onto your farm, or spread it around your farm, on your clothes, footwear or hands. Clean overalls and footwear must be worn when entering poultry premises. After handling birds all protective clothing and footwear should be removed and either cleansed and disinfected, laundered or disposed of. Wash hands with soap and water.
- If all your poultry are at one location, keep a set of clothing or overalls to wear when working with them. If your poultry are at several locations, keep separate clothing/overalls for each group.
- Remove any mud or dung from footwear before applying approved disinfectant. Ensure that disinfectant footbaths are kept clean and that disinfectant is changed regularly. Keep footbaths covered so that rain does not dilute the disinfectant.
Keep your farm secure
- Provide cleaning and disinfectant materials (brush, hose, water, disinfectant and, if possible a pressure washer) for all business visitors/workers on arrival and departure and have protective clothing/footwear/disposable gloves available for on-farm use.
- Display notices directing callers to the farmhouse or office first.
- Strictly limit and control access to poultry flocks. If possible the site should be fenced with a controlled entry point.
- Keep farm access routes, parking areas, yards, areas around buildings and storage areas clean and tidy and well maintained.
- Minimise contact between poultry and wild birds. Prevent accumulation of standing water and remove spilled feed that could attract wild birds. Maintain buildings to ensure that wild birds do not nest or roost in them.
- Keep wild birds, dogs, cats, rodents or other livestock out of poultry buildings and feed stores.
- Be vigilant for evidence of vermin. Have an active rodent and pest control system in place.
- Supply only clean fresh drinking water to birds. Water lines and drinkers must be flushed through and cleaned regularly. In the case of free-range birds restrict access to possible sources of standing water used by wild birds.
- Feed bins, hoppers and feeding equipment must be cleaned and maintained regularly. Feed silos and containers must be sealed to prevent animals and wild birds contaminating feed.
- Damaged eggs, dead birds, litter and manure may carry disease. Dispose of them promptly and properly.
Keep unnecessary vehicles away
- Visitors and their vehicles should be limited and as far as possible kept away from poultry buildings and pastures.
- Encourage visitors to park at a safe point outside the poultry premises' entrance. Have a disinfecting point at the poultry premises' entrance/exit points for visitors to disinfect footwear and equipment. If a vehicle has to come onto your poultry premises the vehicle must be thoroughly cleaned and then disinfected and, if possible, parked away from poultry buildings.
Avoid visiting other farms/poultry premises
- Follow cleaning and disinfecting advice when visiting other poultry premises. Business visitors and contractors should follow all these precautions.
- No clothing or footwear that has been in contact with poultry on one farm should be worn within another farm's poultry premises. If you can, wear boots and clothing supplied. Your dog could be carrying infective material on its fur or feet, so it is best left at home.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact your Local Animal Health Office. An on-call 24-hour service is provided for emergencies.
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