Application Of Biosecurity Measures Research Articles

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT STRATEGIES FOR THE CONTROL OF CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA USING MONTE CARLO SIMULATION

Several diff erent strategies for control and eradication of Classical Swine Fever (CSF) were compared using a Monte Carlo method-based simulationmodel. Th e control strategy analyzed in this paper, in addition to other CSF control measures, includes application of biosecurity measures on pigfarms and rural backyard holdings. Elements of the control strategy are based on applicable regulations and include the simulation of detection ofthe disease, setting up the protected and surveillance zones, standstill of pig movements and restricted movement of animals, vehicles, equipment, and people with strong control measures in protection and surveillance zones, euthanasia of susceptible pigs, protective vaccination of pigs, compensation etc. During the simulation, diff erent output parameters were compared such as: duration of epizootic of a disease, number of aff ected holdings and animals, direct costs such as those for dead or culled animals, costs of surveillance, disposal of infectious materials, cleaning and disinfection.Depopulation of aff ected animals with early diagnostics and vaccination in protection and surveillance zone proved to be the most eff ective measures to stop spreading and eradication of the disease. However, during the simulation, systematic implementation of biosecurity measures in all pig production clusters demonstrated to be appropriate strategy for sustainable control of CSF and setting up a stable epizootiological situation.

Qualitative analysis of the risks and practices associated with the spread of African swine fever within the smallholder pig value chains in Uganda

A study was undertaken between September 2014 and December 2014 to assess the perceptions of smallholder pig value chain actors of the risks and practices associated with the spread of African swine fever (ASF) disease within the pig value chains. Data was collected from 136 value chain actors and 36 key informants through 17 group discussions and two key informant interview (KII) sessions respectively using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools.Results from this study revealed that according to value chain actors and stakeholders, the transporting, slaughtering, and collecting/bulking nodes represent the highest risk, followed by the inputs and services (feeds and drugs) supply nodes. The processing, whole sale and consumption nodes represented the lowest risk. Value chain actors are aware of the disease and its consequences to the pig industry, however biosecurity measures are poorly implemented at all nodes. As for the causes, value chain actors pointed to several factors, such as inadequate knowledge of mechanisms for the spread of the disease, poor enforcement of regulations on disease control, and low capacities of actors to implement biosecurity measures, amongst others. Although traders, butchers and veterinary practitioners accepted that they played an important role in the spread of the virus, they did not perceive themselves as key actors in the control of the disease; instead, they believed that only farmers should adopt biosecurity measures on their farms because they keep the pigs for a longer period. Most of the recommendations given by the value chain actors for controlling and preventing ASF disease were short term, and targeted mainly pig producers. These recommendations included: the establishment of live pig collection centres so that traders and brokers do not have to directly access pig farms, capacity building of value chain actors on application of biosecurity, enactment and enforcement of by-laws on live pig movements and establishment of operational outbreak reporting mechanism at district level. Long term recommendations included the development of a vaccine, as well as pen-side diagnostic tests. This study suggests that interventions to control ASF disease through application of biosecurity measures should target all value chain nodes, while putting more emphasis on post-farm nodes especially the trading.

Have You Disinfected Your Boots? A Case Study of Food Safety and Biosecurity Practices of a Salmon Farm in Chile

This article explores the food safety practices and biosecurity measures of a Chilean salmon farm. The farm participated in detailed discussions on biosecurity and farm food safety practices and, in addition to the biosecurity measures, the following all play important roles in ensuring fish health and reduction of mortalities and outbreaks: optimum stocking density, respect and coordination between different farm sites in relation to the Area Management Agreement, and quality of smolt during fish transfer. From this and other studies, it is evident that we need to look for a balance between biosecurity measures and management factors; however, we are still unable to quantify biosecurity measures. One practical and cost-effective way would be to look at past epidemiological and mortality data and the period when biosecurity measures were applied to see if there was an association between application of biosecurity measures and subsequent reduction in mortalities and infections. If yes, then this is a good sign signifying that the strict biosecurity measures are working. Similar to Good Aquaculture Practices, biosecurity measures need to be adopted as a whole package, and the reduction of one point may have significant consequences on the whole process. The present study captured a snapshot of real-time farm food safety and biosecurity practices of a Chilean salmon farm. However, because of the limited nature of this study, the findings should not be extrapolated to all farms in the country or region.

English

This study was designed to evaluate the present biosecurity measures in broiler farms in Khartoum and to compare between the biosecurity practices followed in closed system and open system farms. The primary information that included numbers of broiler poultry in each farms, locations in the state and type of farms were obtained from Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Khartoum. Multi-stage cluster sampling method was used; collection of information was done at different levels (sites, farms and persons). A total of 45 broiler farms (13 closed and 32 open systems) were chosen from Khartoum, Khartoum North and Omdurman. Data were collected by using structured questionnaire. The respondents were farm owners, farm managers, veterinarians and workers. The results showed that the closed system had a higher level of biosecurity than the open system. 100% of the closed system practiced all in all out system when compared with 81.3% of the open system farms. The open system farms had less secure boundaries; 28.1% of the farms did not have fence when compared with 100% of the closed system farms. Only 2.2% of the farms had washing by disinfectants at the gates. The distance among the pens in each farm which was more than 100 m was 33.3%. Among the 45 farms, 87.5% disinfected the equipment before each production cycle. It was found that 88.9% of the farms collected dead chickens once daily. The results, also, showed that 57% of the farms did not use disinfectants in their foot dips of each pen and 84.4% had no warning signs for entrance of unauthorized people. Among these farms, 17.8% had control plan for vermin, 68.9% of the farms isolated the sick birds, and 26.7% were found to keep different species of birds other than poultry and 15.5% used to treat drinking water for poultry. It is concluded that the majority of the farms in were far from application of biosecurity measures. Key words: Biosecurity, measures, broiler farms, Khartoum, Sudan.

Quantitative assessment of the risk of introduction of bovine viral diarrhea virus in Danish dairy herds

A quantitative risk assessment was carried out to estimate the likelihood of introducing bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in Danish dairy herds per year and per trimester, respectively. The present study gives important information on the impact of risk mitigation measures and sources of uncertainty due to lack of data. As suggested in the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement), the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code was followed for a transparent science-based risk assessment. Data from 2010 on imports of live cattle, semen, and embryos, exports of live cattle, as well as use of vaccines were analyzed. Information regarding the application of biosecurity measures, by veterinarians and hoof trimmers practicing in Denmark and in other countries, was obtained by contacting several stakeholders, public institutions and experts. Stochastic scenario trees were made to evaluate the importance of the various BVDV introduction routes. With the current surveillance system, the risk of BVDV introduction was estimated to one or more introductions within a median of nine years (3–59). However, if all imported animals were tested and hoof trimmers always disinfected the tools used abroad, the risk could be reduced to one or more introductions within 33 years (8–200). Results of this study can be used to improve measures of BVD surveillance and prophylaxis in Danish dairy herds.

Risk factors associated with infectious bursal disease vaccination failures in broiler farms in Kenya

Immunization together with application of biosecurity measures are the principal methods of preventing infectious bursal disease outbreaks in high-risk areas. However, outbreaks in vaccinated chicken flocks have been reported in many parts of the world as a result of factors of vaccine virus, animal, or vaccine handler. In Kenya, such outbreaks have been reported, but the causes have not been studied. This study aimed at determining the risk factors associated with vaccine handling leading to vaccine failure in broiler flocks in Kwale County, Kenya. Structured questionnaires and visual observations were used to collect data from 83 broiler farms, 6 breeding farms, and 17 vaccine outlets. Relative risk (RR) analysis was used to determine the association between identified potential risk factors and vaccination failure. Results show that vaccines were properly handled in all vaccine outlet shops. Breeding farms maintained high levels of biosecurity and employed standard vaccine handling practices. Basic biosecurity practices were poor in broiler farms. Broiler farms failed to meet all the recommended standard procedures for vaccine storage, reconstitution, and administration. Risk factors included poor vaccine storage (RR = 8.7) and use of few drinkers to administer vaccine (RR = 5.8); traces of disinfectants in drinkers used to administer live vaccine (RR = 2.8); use of wrong vaccine-infectious bronchitis instead of infectious bursal disease vaccine (RR = 2.1); and use of improper diluents (RR = 1.6). Broiler farmers need training on basic farm biosecurity measures and standard vaccine handling practices.

Evaluation of strategies to enhance biosecurity compliance on poultry farms in Québec: Effect of audits and cameras

Biosecurity compliance is generally poor in all types of animal production systems around the world. Therefore, it is essential to define strategies to improve the implementation of biosecurity measures. This study evaluated the value of audits and visible cameras on compliance with biosecurity measures required when entering and exiting poultry barns on 24 poultry farms in Québec, Canada. Short term (first two weeks) and medium term (six months later) compliance were determined. Application of biosecurity measures was evaluated using hidden cameras. Video viewing revealed a total of 2748 visits by 259 different individuals. Results showed that bimonthly audits did not have any impact on medium term compliance. Visible cameras had a significant impact on changing boots (OR = 9.6; 1.9–48.4) and respecting areas (contaminated vs. clean) during the visit (OR = 14.5; 1.2–175.1) for the short term period. However, six months later, compliance declined and was no longer significantly different from controls. Duration and moment of the visit, presence of the grower or an observer, barn entrance design, number of barns, number of biosecurity measures requested, type of boots worn, gender and being a member of a grower's family were significantly associated with biosecurity compliance.

Infection dynamics ofCichlidogyrus tilapiaeandC. sclerosus(Monogenea, Ancyrocephalinae) in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticusL.) from Uganda

The infection dynamics of the gill monogeneans Cichlidogyrus tilapiae and C. sclerosus on Oreochromis niloticus with respect to habitat type (reservoir, stream, ponds and cages), host sex, size and seasons was determined between January and November 2008. During the study period, 45.2% of the 650 fish examined were infected with Cichlidogyrus spp. The infected hosts harboured an average of 8.6 ± 3.4 parasites/fish. Across habitat types, the proportion of infected fish was not statistically different. In contrast, the number of parasites recorded on infected fish from different habitat types differed significantly. The highest parasite number was recorded in reservoir-dwelling fish and lowest in stream-dwelling hosts. Concerning sex, more female O. niloticus were infected and harboured a high number of parasites than male and sexually undifferentiated fish. A weak negative relationship was found between rainfall and monthly parasite infections. However, a higher number of parasites and proportion of infected hosts were found during dry than in wet seasons, except in ponds. Results of this study show that differential exposure due to changes in fish behaviour associated with habitat modification and sex may account for the infection difference across the sampled sites. Meanwhile, rainfall and the associated hydrological events are important factors regulating monogenean infections in tropical aquatic environments. The continuous presence of Cichlidogyrus spp. in fish provides evidence of possible parasite outbreaks, indicating the application of biosecurity measures as crucial for the success of intensive fish farming.