The Chickenfest planning committee and myself have been discussing bio-security measures that we can take to ensure that the the upcoming Chickenfest will be as safe as possible for everyone attending. I have been in contact with Dr. Geoff Lossie regarding this matter.
Here is the information that I have received from him;
Here is the info that I have compiled for you on Avian Influenza. Once you read it please let me know if you have any questions. In terms of protecting yourself from others who may not follow good biosecurity, the best thing you can do is practice good biosecurity yourself as outlined in the document (showering and laundering clothes when returning from shows, and wearing all clean clothes before coming into contact with your own birds etc). In terms of carrying it in your nares, technically it is possible, but I would not worry too much about it. I discussed car cleanliness in the document as well. I also put in the document two great websites to visit for further biosecurity info.
If people have disease concerns in their flocks and need guidance they can call the ADDL at 765-494-7440.
Biosecurity: Preventing Avian Influenza
Biosecurity is an essential component of site management, and is necessary to keep your birds healthy. Biosecurity is especially important and on everyone’s mind with the presence of avian influenza here in the Midwest. Avian influenza is being spread by wild waterfowl, who are not affected by the disease. The disease is shed in the feces as well as in respiratory secretions. The disease can live upwards of 2 weeks in the proper environment (cold, and wet conditions are best). The virus can easily be spread by fomites (inanimate object capable of becoming contaminated with infectious organisms allowing the organism to spread). Articles such as footwear, farm equipment, automobiles, clothing, and other items if contaminated with feces or respiratory secretions from INFECTED birds, are all capable of transporting the virus. We do not, at this time recommend poultry meetings to allow live birds anywhere on the premises for trade or sale between participants due to the threat of disease spread. Trading of eggs is also very risky, as the shells (not the developing embryo) can be easily contaminated by feces, containing the virus, when the egg is laid. While our egg supply is safe, we don’t recommend bringing anything to the fair that can drag disease with it such as eggs. If eggs are brought we recommend they be sanitized with a dilute bleach solution.
All of this being said, regional and national poultry meetings are still taking place successfully. Carefully arranged meetings that stress the importance of the participants’ being “clean” and following basic biosecurity measures, have not been shown to be a significant risk of disease spread.
Below will be outlined some essential procedures that should be complied with by those intending to attend poultry meetings, 4H fairs, or poultry shows.
For further information regarding avian influenza and proper biosecurity, visit:
http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov/
Below is a statement put out by the state veterinarian for Indiana.
http://www.in.gov/boah/files/HPAI_PrepSurvRep_AH-4-28-15(2).pdf
Geoffrey Lossie, D.V.M.
Resident, Poultry Diagnostic Medicine
Purdue University, Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
A couple of the things that we will be changing this year from previous years, is we will not be allowing any live birds to be brought to the event for sale, swap or trade purposes. Eggs that are being brought for sale, trade or swap purposes will have to be kept in the vehicles and all exchanges will have to be done at the vehicles, and hands will have to be washed/sanatized immediately after exchanges. While this may seem to be somewhat extreme to some, we are doing this to help protect everyone.
Here is the information that I have received from him;
Here is the info that I have compiled for you on Avian Influenza. Once you read it please let me know if you have any questions. In terms of protecting yourself from others who may not follow good biosecurity, the best thing you can do is practice good biosecurity yourself as outlined in the document (showering and laundering clothes when returning from shows, and wearing all clean clothes before coming into contact with your own birds etc). In terms of carrying it in your nares, technically it is possible, but I would not worry too much about it. I discussed car cleanliness in the document as well. I also put in the document two great websites to visit for further biosecurity info.
If people have disease concerns in their flocks and need guidance they can call the ADDL at 765-494-7440.
Biosecurity: Preventing Avian Influenza
Biosecurity is an essential component of site management, and is necessary to keep your birds healthy. Biosecurity is especially important and on everyone’s mind with the presence of avian influenza here in the Midwest. Avian influenza is being spread by wild waterfowl, who are not affected by the disease. The disease is shed in the feces as well as in respiratory secretions. The disease can live upwards of 2 weeks in the proper environment (cold, and wet conditions are best). The virus can easily be spread by fomites (inanimate object capable of becoming contaminated with infectious organisms allowing the organism to spread). Articles such as footwear, farm equipment, automobiles, clothing, and other items if contaminated with feces or respiratory secretions from INFECTED birds, are all capable of transporting the virus. We do not, at this time recommend poultry meetings to allow live birds anywhere on the premises for trade or sale between participants due to the threat of disease spread. Trading of eggs is also very risky, as the shells (not the developing embryo) can be easily contaminated by feces, containing the virus, when the egg is laid. While our egg supply is safe, we don’t recommend bringing anything to the fair that can drag disease with it such as eggs. If eggs are brought we recommend they be sanitized with a dilute bleach solution.
All of this being said, regional and national poultry meetings are still taking place successfully. Carefully arranged meetings that stress the importance of the participants’ being “clean” and following basic biosecurity measures, have not been shown to be a significant risk of disease spread.
Below will be outlined some essential procedures that should be complied with by those intending to attend poultry meetings, 4H fairs, or poultry shows.
- Restricted access: Keep access to your property and your birds restricted to essential persons only.
- Keep things clean and don’t bring disease home: Clean and disinfect your clothes, shoes, equipment, and hands. This is especially important when traveling to poultry meetings or livestock shows. Always wear fully laundered clothes to these events and never wear boots or shoes that have been used around poultry. We recommend showering before and after attending an event. When returning from shows, make sure to launder all clothes and disinfect any acquired equipment before coming into contact with your birds. DO NOT come into contact with your birds until you have showered and donned clean clothes.
- Don’t risk disease from your neighbor: do not borrow lawn and garden equipment (including automobiles), tools, or poultry supplies from other bird owners. Insist that any persons coming onto your property have clean clothes and shoes that have not been in contact with poultry or poultry premises. Having disposable boot/shoe covers available for visitors is recommended.
- Do not purchase birds from sale barns, auctions, or swap meets where birds are allowed to mingle.
- Avoid unnecessary exposure: If you still decide to show at fairs and poultry exhibits, you may want to limit the number of birds you bring, and do not bring your most valuable birds, unless you are willing to accept the risk.
- Post exhibition cleanliness: Keep all birds that have been shown at fairs, isolated from your other birds for a minimum of 30 days. Ideal isolation would be in a completely separate barn or enclosure located away from your other birds.
- Discourage wild waterfowl from your property: Do not feed wildlife or allow them access to your bird’s feed. Consider covering ponds or fencing off water features to prevent your birds from coming into direct contact with wild waterfowl or waterways that may be used by wild waterfowl.
- Automobiles: Prior to, and after visiting poultry shows/premises, wash all visible dirt and grime from the automobile and clean out any poultry waste or dirt (bed of truck, trunk etc) paying special notice to wheels and undercarriage. Floor mats can be laundered or sprayed with Lysol.
- Watch out for signs of disease: Most importantly watch for increased flock mortality (deaths), as this may be the only sign of an outbreak. See last link for a list of other possible signs of avian influenza.
For further information regarding avian influenza and proper biosecurity, visit:
http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov/
Below is a statement put out by the state veterinarian for Indiana.
http://www.in.gov/boah/files/HPAI_PrepSurvRep_AH-4-28-15(2).pdf
Geoffrey Lossie, D.V.M.
Resident, Poultry Diagnostic Medicine
Purdue University, Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
A couple of the things that we will be changing this year from previous years, is we will not be allowing any live birds to be brought to the event for sale, swap or trade purposes. Eggs that are being brought for sale, trade or swap purposes will have to be kept in the vehicles and all exchanges will have to be done at the vehicles, and hands will have to be washed/sanatized immediately after exchanges. While this may seem to be somewhat extreme to some, we are doing this to help protect everyone.
