Page 7 - National Poultry Newspaper

New requirements to house poultry
AI Victoria update
AGRICULTURE Vic- toria has confirmed avian influenza H7N7 has been detected at an additional egg farm in the Golden Plains Shire, and avian influ- enza H7N6 has been detected at an emu farm near Kerang in the Gannawarra Shire.
highly pathogenic form. This is why the pres- enceofanH5orH7vi- rus in poultry is always cause for concern, even when the initial signs of
AI H5N2 was detected in poultry at a property in Lethbridge, and an- other near Bairnsdale.
has ensured that move- ment controls are in place and the affected properties have been quarantined.
A total of six farms have been affected by AI since the first farm detection on July 31, 2020.
These controls prohibit the movement of birds, equipment and products within and out of the restricted area until fur- ther notice.
On rare occasions, H7N7 avian influenza has been known to in- fect and cause disease in humans who have had close contact with infected poultry.
Staff and other persons who may have been ex- posed to infected poul- try are being contacted by the Department of Health and Human Ser- vices, and provided with relevant information to monitor their health and seek medical assistance if they develop symp- toms.
AI viruses can be clas- sified into two forms based on the severity of the disease they cause in poultry:
• Low-pathogenic AI (LPAI)
Only people who come into close contact with infected birds, their se- cretions or are close con- tacts of confirmed cases are considered at risk.
• Highly pathogenic AI (HPAI).
Most AI strains are classified as LPAI and cause few clinical signs in infected birds.
Most people who are infected with H7N7 show no symptoms, mild conjunctivitis or flu-like illness.
In contrast, HPAI causes a severe and ex- tremely contagious ill- ness and death among infected birds, with a high mortality rate of up to 100 percent in domes- tic chickens and turkeys.
Spread from humans to humans has been doc- umented mostly in close contacts of confirmed cases.
In some cases, if LPAI is allowed to circulate in poultry populations, the virus can mutate into the
No human cases of AI H5N2 or H7N6 have ever been reported.
infection are mild. Agriculture Victoria
IN order to control the spread of avian influenza within the designated Restricted and Control Areas, Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer issued a Housing of Livestock clause for 30 days from August 7, 2020, legally requiring all poultry owners – even those with only two or three chick- ens or birds – to keep their birds housed.
before entering a build- ing or enclosure used for poultry.
What is a Housing of Livestock clause?
more poultry and birds will contract AI – how- ever it will not eliminate the risk of spread.
birds into domestic poul- try flocks.
What are the symp- toms?
they are disease-free
• Separating poultry and their food and drink from wild birds, by using net-
The new legislation states that any owner or person in charge of poul- try must ensure:
Bird owners should be vigilant for signs of dis- ease especially where multiple deaths occur in poultry, or if many birds are unwell.
• Maintaining facilities such as poultry sheds to ensure safe and hygienic containment.
• All poultry are kept in a building or enclosure separate from wild birds and wild or domesticated animals
This is a precaution- ary measure that applies to both commercial and backyard poultry owners.
Water supplied to poul- try should not originate from sources where wild birds frequent.
• Any dead poultry are not left where they may be accessible to wild birds and wild or domesticated animals
This means that you must, where possible, move birds into a suitable building, such as a shed or outbuilding adapted to house them, or a new temporary structure.
Avian influenza is a no- tifiable disease.
Symptoms of the mild form of the disease in- clude respiratory distress, coughing, sneezing or rasping breathing, rapid decrease in feed or wa- ter intake and egg pro- duction and typical sick bird signs including ruf- fled feathers, depression, closed eyes and deaths of up to 15 percent of the flock.
The following water sources are less likely to be contaminated:
• Any dead poultry which had experienced clinical signs consistent with AI prior to death must immediately be re- ported to Agriculture Vic- toria on 1800 675 888
Place netting over open- ings to stop wild birds getting in and remove any hazardous substances.
• Bore water that has been tested and is suitable quality for poultry – poul- try have a low tolerance to saline water.
• Feed and water for all poultry must not be ac- cessible to wild birds and wild or domesticated ani- mals
Where housing is not practicable, steps should be taken to separate poul- try and their food and drink from wild birds that may be carrying AI, by using netting or simi- lar.
Wild birds are consid- ered the natural host for AI.
How do I protect my birds from AI?
Access up-to-date maps of the Restricted Area and Control Area at ag riculture.vic.gov.au/bios ecurity/animal-diseases/ poultry-diseases/avian- influenza-bird-flu Where can I get more information?
• The entry of wild birds and wild or domesticated animals is prevented into any building or enclosure where poultry are kept
Certain water birds act as reservoirs of influenza viruses by carrying the virus in their intestines.
Implement good bi- osecurity measures to prevent wild birds from gaining access to the same food and water sup- plies as your poultry.
• A disinfectant solution such as soapy water, de- tergent, bleach or chlorine – appropriate for destroy- ing AI virus – must be made available for use and be used by any person
Housing poultry and birds is an effective method of minimising direct contact with wild birds, which can be a vec- tor for AI.
The exposure of wild water birds to domestic birds – particularly poul- try – or to their feed and water supply, can lead to the emergence of AI, and it is not unusual to have ‘spill over events’ of AI take place from wild
• Preventing domesticat- ed poultry from accessing open ponds, lakes, creeks or other watercourses
A Housing of Livestock clause is a requirement for all poultry owners within the Restricted and Control Areas to house their flock for an initial period of 30 days.
How long do I need to house my poultry?
Symptoms associated with severe forms of the infection include sud- den death, respiratory distress, swelling of the head, purple discoloura- tion of the comb and wattles, coughing, sneez- ing or rasping breathing, rapid drop in feed intake, water intake and egg pro- duction and typical sick bird signs such as ruf- fled feathers, depression, closed eyes, diarrhea and occasionally nervous signs.
ting or similar
• Storing litter and feed
The Housing of Live- stock is a temporary requirement designed to minimise the risk of poultry and captive birds from becoming infected with AI.
• Not permitting visitors to areas where poultry are kept
Why was the housing order issued?
Infected birds shed the virus in saliva, nasal se- cretions and faeces.
This may include:
More information on AI and the Golden Plains situation is available on the Agriculture Victo- ria website agriculture. vic.gov.au/biosecurity/ animal-diseases/poultry- diseases/avian-influenza- bird-flu
The requirement will reduce the likelihood that
• Purchasing poultry and birds, litter and feed from accredited sources
The initial housing re- quirement will remain in place for 30 days.
securely to avoid contami- nation by wild birds
It will be extended until the Chief Veterinary Of- ficer determines it can be safely lifted. WhatdoIdoifIsus- pect avian influenza?
• Practicing good hy- giene at all times
Suspicion of infection must be reported to Ag- riculture Victoria on the Emergency Animal Dis- ease hotline 1800 675 888 or to your local Ag- riculture Victoria Animal Health and Welfare staff. How is the virus spread?
• Treated chlorinated mains water
• Quarantining new birds until comfortable
Information from Agri- culture Victoria.
Restricted area and control area maps
Fendona® Plus 60SC
Insecticide
Speci cally developed for use within poultry sheds, for the control of litter beetles and a range of ying and crawling insects
High performance residual insecticide offering rapid knockdown
Low dose formulation provides the exibility of a clean-out and maintenance application rate
For more information on Fendona Plus 60 SC,
visit crop-solutions.basf.com.au or contact your local CCD Representative on 1300 791 009
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National Poultry Newspaper, September 2020 – Page 7