Biosecurity measures should be implemented to limit transmission of bird flu including segregation, cleaning and disinfecting/sanitizing.
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An avian influenza (bird flu) outbreak is rapidly spreading across the globe. Between October 2021 and the first week in January 2022, nearly 40 countries had reported incidents of large numbers of wild birds dying, one of which noted 5000 dead cranes found in the Hula Lake Reserve in northern Israel. In Europe, the outbreak has been classified as the worst ever in the region by The Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI), Germany's Federal Research Institute for Animal Health.
Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is an acute infection caused by Type A Influenza Virus which is almost exclusively found in birds. The virus is highly contagious and fatal, having respiratory, peptic and nervous symptoms. The death rate in infected flocks can be up to 100%.
The avian influenza agent is an enveloped virus of RNA character. It is sensitive to certain disinfectants, temperature (>70?C), environmental conditions, low and high pH and drying. The virus remains viable for extended periods in tissues, faeces and water, especially in cold and humid environments. However, as the outer wall of the virus is enclosed within a lipid-containing membrane, this virus can easily be inactivated and stabilized, for example, with chemical disinfectants/sanitizers or ultraviolet light.
The avian influenza virus is transmitted in nasal secretions and faeces from infected birds and can remain viable for about five weeks under poultry house conditions. For this reason, one of the most critical issues regarding infection control is manure.
The virus can remain viable for longer periods under the high humidity and low temperature of faeces. The virus can survive up to 3 months in the tissues and faeces of infected birds.
In water, the virus can survive for up to 4 days at 22?C and more than 30 days at 0?C.
Migratory birds play a primary role in transmitting and introducing avian influenza into flocks. However, feed, water, equipment and personnel contaminated with faeces or secretions from infected birds or broken eggs are also a serious cause of the spread of infection. These factors can introduce the infection to a farm and spread it within and to other farms.
Horizontal contagion (from bird to bird) is the most common mode of viral transmission within flocks. There is no indication of vertical contagion (from bird to chick via egg), but chicks are susceptible to infection after hatching, especially if biosecurity in the hatchery is poor1.
Biosecurity measures should be implemented across the poultry sector's entire supply chain to limit transmission. The three principle elements of biosecurity are:
The effectiveness of disinfectants is directly impacted by how clean the surface is before the disinfection step. Good cleaning (manure removal and surface washing) reduces 90-91% of the microbial load. Disinfection achieves around 6-7% and terminal fumigation around 1-2%.
Diversey's Divosan Viragri Plus VT49 and Divosan Suredis VT1 have proven effective against viricidal activity per EN 14675 and EN 14476 quantitative suspension tests, respectively. We also have a wide range of detergents, sanitizers and disinfectants with specific suitability to the food and beverage industry and the types of soils and surfaces typically found (please contact us or your Diversey representative to confirm local product range and availability).
Interior & Exterior Area Cleaning
EnduroSuper VE13. Self-foaming extended contact cleaner, 4-10% use concentration.
Interior & Exterior Area Disinfection
Heavily Soiled Equipment Cleaning
EnduroSafe VE7. Medium - Alkaline high retention cleaner, 4-6% use concentration.
Descaling
Acifoam VF10. Acid foaming detergent, 3-10% use concentration.
Water System Cleaning
Divosan TC 86 VS8. Chlorinated detergent, 2-4% use concentration.
Water System Disinfection
Zal Perax II VT48. Peracetic acid-based disinfection, 0.2-2% use concentration.
Feed Bin Disinfection
Tego 2000 VT25. Amphoteric-based disinfection, 0.5-2% use concentration.
Boot Dip
Wheel Dips
Air Disinfection
Box/Tray Washing (Cleaning & Disinfection)
Divosan TC 86 VS8. Chlorinated detergent, 1-2% use concentration.
Box/Tray Cleaning
Spectak G VC1. Low foam, caustic 0.3-5% use concentration.
Box/Tray Disinfection
Divosan Hypochlorite VT3. Hypochlorite based disinfectant, 0.25-1% use concentration.
Operator Hand Hygiene
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/index.htm
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu
https://www.poultryworld.net/Health/health_tool/Avian-influenza-fowl-plague/
https://www.izsvenezie.com/reference-laboratories/avian-influenza-newcastle-disease/europe-update/
https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/animal-diseases/diseases-and-control-measures/avian-influenza_en
https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/a37dd6ce-26d4-5ed3-ab39-1c5165047b35/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/avian-influenza-h5n1