50-3/2006-LDT(AQ)
Department
of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries
Ministry
of Agriculture
Government
of
Krishi Bhawan,
Dated
Sub: Biosecurity Measures
*****
A series of actions are to be taken in
case of HPAI outbreaks which have already been dealt at Part II of the Action
Plan (Pages 24 & 25)
However strict biosecurity measures to be taken in
respect of avian influenza can be classified into two categories according to
the nature and scale of poultry farming:
1.
SPECIFIC TO Organized farms:
The following biosecurity measures are recommended to
be followed by the organised farm sector.
A) Location of Farm: It is preferable that
organized poultry farms are not located in close proximity to the water bodies.
B) Construction of buildings:
a) In all organized poultry
farms, provision should exist to prevent the entry of wild birds and to extent
possible, of rodents and other vermin also into the sheds used by poultry.
b) Buildings should be constructed in such a way, so
that they can be cleaned easily and disinfected effectively when needed.
C) Restrictions on farm personnel/visitors:
i) Entry of non-essential
visitors including pharmaceutical and vaccine representatives inside the farm
should be regulated.
ii) Personnel involved in the
day-to-day activities of the farm viz. service personnel, delivery personnel,
utility personnel, veterinarians, scientists, state health personnel etc. must
wear appropriate coveralls i.e. cap, dress and shoes. Shoes if not changed,
must be scrubbed with a long-handled scrub brush to remove droppings, mud or
debris. The clothes should also be washed with laundry detergent and must also
be disinfected.
iii) Provision of a facility
should be made at the gate of the farm for changing clothes. shoes
etc. during entry and that facility should have sufficient quantity of
sanitizer/disinfectant for use of concerned person(s).
iv)
Breeding farm personnel should be prohibited from visiting other farms
unnecessarily and if necessary, they should visit the farm after taking every
precautionary measure.
v)
Farm personnel should not attend bird shows or other events where other
birds or birds from other farms are present.
D) Restriction on vehicle
movement and its personnel:
All vehicles should be parked in designated places and
should be disinfected before entering and immediately after leaving the
premises. Personnel deployed for the
vehicles, e.g. drivers should not be allowed to access the premises beyond the
designated parking area.
E) Restrictions on equipment, supplies, personnel etc.
of other farms:
i) Equipment, supplies,
personnel etc. should not be borrowed from the other farms as far as
possible. However, if necessary, proper
biosecurity measures such as disinfection etc. may be allowed.
ii) Only disposable egg trays and
egg boxes should be sent from farms to hatcheries or reusable boxes should be
disinfected on exit/entry point. Wooden pallets or cardboard egg cartons should
not be shared as they are porous and cannot be adequately cleaned and
disinfected.
F) Farming Practice:
i) In a poultry farm, practice
of uniform age-group policy should be adopted. This is best done by
‘all-in-all-out’ production system.
ii)
Mixed farming of
duck, poultry, pig etc. should be discouraged.
iii) Regarding entry of new flock,
care must be taken to ensure that all birds are obtained from healthy stock.
iv) As feed and water can be a
source of infection, feed should be tested for each batch and clean water be
provided.
v) Farm premises should be
disinfected periodically to prevent ingress of any disease, especially before
introduction of new batch.
vi)
A recommended area of nearly six feet around the building should be kept
free from any vegetation, organic matter/ litter, feather, debris, decaying
material to the extent possible to provide a protective ring.
vii)
Proper measures / strategies may be adopted for effective and early
detection of disease. Any unusual mortality / any such suspicion should be
reported immediately to the nearest veterinary authorities.
viii)
Dead birds should be disposed off scientifically within the farm
premises.
G) Provision of Quarantine
Facilities:
a) Before introduction of new
batch of flock, the birds should be kept separate from the rest of the flock
for at least 30 days.
b) Any bird sent to a fair / exhibition should not be
allowed back into the farm to mix with the farm birds.
2. SPECIFIC TO Backyard
farms:
a) Access to the poultry from
outside should be restricted to the extent possible e.g. by way of fencing etc.
b) Cockfighting should be
prevented.
c) Washing of hands with soap,
water and a disinfectant before and after handling of poultry birds is
advocated.
d)
As regards consumption of poultry products, WHO advises that “poultry and poultry products
can be safely consumed provided these items are properly cooked and properly
handled during food preparation. The H5N1 virus is
sensitive to heat. Normal temperatures used for cooking (70°C in all parts of
the food) will kill the virus. Consumers need to be sure that all parts of the
poultry are fully cooked (no “pink” parts) and that eggs, too, are properly
cooked (no “runny” yolks)”.
e) Care should be taken for
proper washing and sanitizing cutting knives by using soap/ disinfectant
including the village market.
f) Limiting contact between
poultry flocks and other birds/ species through good biosecurity practices is
the key to minimizing the likelihood of entry of any type of avian influenza
virus. Water and feed supplies for
poultry flocks must be managed so that they do not become contaminated with
faeces etc. of other birds. Intermingling of species such as chicken,
duck, turkey, pig etc. should be avoided; this can be done by means such as
Erect pens to keep domesticated poultry away from wild birds.
g) Early detection is important
to prevent the spread of disease. Therefore, owners of backyard poultry should
be alerted to the symptoms of avian influenza / unusual mortality and sickness
and to report any such suspicion immediately to the nearest veterinary
authorities. Some of the symptoms are as
under :-
·
Sudden death
·
Diarrhoea
·
Decrease or complete loss of egg production, soft-shelled, misshapen
eggs.
·
Sneezing, gasping for air, nasal discharge, coughing
·
Lack of energy and appetite.
·
Swelling of tissues around eyes and in neck.
·
Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs and legs.
·
Depression, muscular tremors, drooping wings, twisting of head and neck,
incoordination, complete paralysis.
h) Local and voluntary surveillance is
advocated to be strengthened on part of poultry owners in the vicinity of
wetland or other places visited by wild / migratory birds. Unusual mortalities in wild / migratory birds
should be reported immediately to the nearest
(P. DANDAPAT)
Assistant
Commissioner (AQ)
Distribution:
All the Secretaries, Animal Husbandry Departments.
Copy to:
Directors (Animal Husbandry) of all the
states/UTs.