The
Feather Boards Command Center is warning poultry farmers that migrating ducks
and geese could be carrying avian influenza as they pass over farms on their
way south this fall.
‘Properly
implemented biosecurity is the poultry producers’ first-line of defense against
infectious agents. Your farm biosecurity protocols should be well thought-out,
stringently implemented and continuously followed,’ it is advising all quota-holding
poultry farmers – egg, chicken, turkey and hatching egg producers.
“The threat
of re-emergence of HPAI (highly-pathogenic avian influenza) is real.
“FBCC
(Feather Board Command Center) would like to remind producers to rigorously
follow their daily biosecurity protocols, as well as consider appropriate
additional biosecurity measures to help prevent disease occurrence and spread
in the province.
“The
following is a list of biosecurity measures for Ontario poultry farms:
•
Each farmer, employee and every person entering all
poultry barns must put on clean footwear, protective clothing and follow all
biosecurity protocols on every entry into barns.
•
Minimize visits to other poultry production sites and
avoid any co-mingling of birds or contact with outside/wild birds.
•
Avoid exchanging equipment with other poultry
production sites.
•
Ensure all vehicles/farm equipment that access the
barn vicinity are properly washed and disinfected and that the laneway is
restricted/secured.
•
Ensure adequate training of farm and company personnel
in biosecurity and disease prevention.
•
Ensure adequate control of wild birds and rodents.
•
Have a pressure washer or a hose available to wash
tires and equipment, and make this available to all service vehicles.
•
If possible, “heat treat” the barn/litter ahead of
chick or poult placement (to 30°C for a minimum of three days).
Poultry growers should immediately contact their
veterinarian and board if their birds show any signs of illness.”
