Migrating birds and backyard poultry have taken the blame for the recent surge in H5N1 cases but they are not major vectors of pandemic flu. Who then, or what may be threatening our world? http://tinyurl.com/yjlysz
Thank you for finding and posting this article. I am printing it off to show to people and am emailing the link to others. I may be flamed for this but we have not spent one dime here on Big Business poultry since we started reading about H5 last year. This article explains why we haven’t better than I could ever have explained myself, believe me I have tried.
factory farming breeds bird flu
second try at posting this. book by michael greger, Bird Flu: a virus of our own hatching.
That was the first posting of my entire life! I wasn’t sure if I was doing it correctly and if anybody would take a look at it, so thanks to Influentia2 and Jane for helping my confidence level.
Are there any regulations in place concerning the size of poultry operations, such as number of chickens per square feet of building/acre? Another question I have is will we see outbrakes of any sort of flu, beginning in states with the largest concentrations of poulty industry here in the United States? Thoughts anyone?
bump
this was re-issued by OMAFRA this week for small flock owners - PLUS - a nice sign to download re ‘biosecurity in place’ is available here:- http://tinyurl.com/u6zgz
Title: Biosecurity Recommendations for Small Flock Poultry Owners
Division:
Agriculture and Rural History: Original Factsheet Written by: Babak Sanei - Lead Veterinarian, Disease Prevention Poultry/OMAFRA; Paul Innes, Lead Veterinarian, Provincial Biosecurity/OMAFRA
Table of Contents Restrict Visitors and Observe Proper Hygiene Prevent Contact with Wild Birds Don’t Bring Disease Home Recognize and Report any Illness
People who raise poultry or gamebirds for personal or limited commercial purposes, so-called “backyard flocks,” should be aware of the risks to their birds, and to commercial poultry, from diseases such as Avian Influenza virus. Managing these risks by preventing the introduction and spread of diseases and other hazards is referred to as “biosecurity.” The following recommendations are simple, inexpensive ways of minimizing the risk, but can be very effective in preventing a serious disease outbreak.
Restrict Visitors and Observe Proper Hygiene Contaminated equipment and people can introduce many disease-causing agents, such as bacteria and viruses, to your flock. These microscopic organisms can be carried on boots, clothing and vehicles, even if they appear clean.
Restrict contact with your birds to those caring for them. If visitors are allowed, provide them with clean coveralls and boots.
Do not allow people who own their own birds, or who have recently been in contact with other birds (e.g. visiting another flock, attending a bird show), near your birds. Also, people caring for your birds (staff or volunteers) should not have birds of their own or attend events where birds are present. This increases the risk of introducing diseases to your flock.
Have separate clothing and footwear for use when dealing with your birds. These can be kept at the entrance to the structure or enclosure.
Wash and disinfect boots and any equipment that comes in contact with the birds or their droppings, such as shovels, scoops and brooms. Clean cages, food and water surfaces on a daily basis.
Wash your hands thoroughly before and after dealing with your birds.
Prevent Contact with Wild Birds Wild birds carry many diseases, including Avian Influenza. Minimizing contact with wild species, and their droppings, will help protect your birds from these diseases.
Keep your birds in a screened in area or preferably in an enclosed structure where they do not have contact with wild birds. Screen all doors, windows and vents, and make sure they are in good repair.
Do not use water that may be contaminated with wild bird droppings, such as pond water, for your birds. Test your water at least once a year. If well water is used, it is recommended to use an appropriate water disinfectant such as chlorine.
Keep feed in a tightly sealed container, protected from birds and rodents.
Don’t Bring Disease Home Mixing birds of different species and from different sources increases the risk of introducing disease to your flock. It is preferable to keep only birds of similar age and species together (all in/all out).
If multiple ages and/or species are kept, minimize contact between groups by keeping them in separate locations.
If new birds are brought back to your farm, make sure that you get their complete background information, including a history of any diseases and vaccinations. Some vaccines, including some of those used to control Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT), can cause disease in unvaccinated birds. Consult your veterinarian regarding proper vaccination procedures.
If you take birds to a fair or market, or have new additions to the flock, keep them separate from the rest of the flock (quarantined) for at least 2–4 weeks after returning home, and monitor them for signs of illness. Clean and disinfect cages and equipment used for these birds. Use separate clothing, footwear and equipment for isolated birds, and handle them last. If the same equipment and clothing are used, they should be cleaned and disinfected before and after handling the birds.
Do not share equipment and supplies with other bird owners. Clean and disinfect before and after using any borrowed or shared items.
Recognize and Report any Illness Early detection is critical to successfully dealing with a disease outbreak.
If your birds show signs of disease, such as depression, abnormal egg production or feed consumption, sneezing, gasping, a discharge from the nose or eyes, diarrhea, or sudden death, call your local veterinarian immediately.
Dispose of dead birds quickly using an approved method, such as burial or composting. Consult your veterinarian first, as he or she may wish to collect samples for laboratory diagnosis.
Raising poultry species, either for food or as a hobby, is a part of Ontario’s agricultural heritage. However, to minimize the risks this poses to food safety and to the commercial poultry industry, bird owners should recognize and follow good biosecurity practices.
Night Owl I posted this a few days ago on the new forum. After reading the article you posted and thinking about this post from a few days ago, Indonesia’s problems make sense, especially after reading the first line below about their market being aimed nationally.
Indonesia has a large poultry industry./// Production is mainly aimed at the national market///,/// although some export of processed products and one-day-old chicks exists///,/// and can be regionally important///, e.g./// from Sumatra///. The poultry population in Indonesia comprises: broilers: 919.7 million, indigenous poultry: 87.3 million, layers: 85.1 million, ducks: 48.1 million. ///Eighty percent of the poultry in Indonesia is produced by three large commercial companies///, which are vertically integrated poultry production systems of substantial capacity. ///Seventy percent of total poultry production in Indonesia is carried out in Java///.
FWIW, Pugmom and I feel the article you posted is a must read.
Well I see I have already forgotten how to bold here. Not that I ever got really good at it anyway LOL!! Getting used to the new forum and I forgot what I had learned on here.
You get the idea anyway.
Influentia2 — 02 December 2006, 23:28 Good factoid digging! “Seventy percent of total
poultry production in Indonesia is carried out in Java///”
That in itself would explain why out of the whole
archipelago, Java has had the most human cases of H5N1.
Now if we only had a global data bank to track where all the eggs are shipped to, from these mega barns.
I am not sure how to avoid the dreaded side scroll appendage. I am trying to keep my lines shorter to stay in bounds. Apologies if this isn’t right……..sigh……..
Influentia2 — 02 December 2006, 23:28 Good factoid digging! “Seventy percent of total
poultry production in Indonesia is carried out in Java///”
That in itself would explain why out of the whole archipelago, Java has had the most human cases of H5N1. Now if we only had a global data bank to track where all the eggs are shipped to, from these mega barns.
I am not sure how to avoid the dreaded side scroll appendage. I am trying to keep my lines shorter to stay in bounds. Apologies if this isn’t right……..sigh……..
I found this on a USDA website page. http://tinyurl.com/yf248q
“The U.S. poultry industry is the world’s largest producer and second largest exporter of poultry meat. U.S. consumption of poultry meat (broilers, other chicken, and turkey) is considerably higher than beef or pork, but less than total red meat consumption. The United States is also a major egg producer. “
Night Owl, The side scroll is due to a space at the beginning of the sentence starting with archipelago. Before you post check in the preview pane for spaces at the beginning of sentences. If you have not posted this article on the new forum FWIW, I think you should, it is a very good article. Perhaps you would consider starting a diary(thread) there like you did here. There may be others who have not gotten to read anything like this.
I also got the same feeling about Java Island’s high number of cases after I read your post. I may go do some digging and see if I can find where the Indonesian day old chicks are exported to. I will check back in a while for a reply.
Night Owl,
This was about the newest I could find out there about Indonesia so far. Marcos Regency in Sulawesi has a new possible human case today. There have been several cases there since this article.
Much to do today, check back later.
Influentia2, thanks for explaining the side scroll phenomenon. I hope to avoid that mistake in future postings. As for posting on the new forum, that seems beyond my abilities at this point. If somebody who knows what they are doing wants to post it there, they are welcome to do so. Thanks for your help, N.O.
P.S. Where do I find the preview pane? Is that where one types to post?
Influentia2 side scroll alert? — 03 December 2006, 10:55
It is definitely in a country’s best interest to guard against or contain AI outbreaks. When other countries suspend imports of poultry products, peer leverage comes into play. Economics regulate where good sense may not.
Night Owl,
I just added the side scroll alert to my handle so this thread could be fixed. The preview pane is where you type in the post. I have not had the time today to look up the Indonesian exports.I did read that Singapore, Japan, and Malaysia had suspended poultry exports in 2005.
And I found this on the Jakarta US Embassy site, dated but interesting.
Night Owl,
Here is a link to another forum where they are discussing the article you posted on here earlier. Interesting discussion so far.
Good night
Night Owl,
On the above link scroll down to the 5:38 pm post by Pugmom (I emailed her the aricle)that is where the discussion begins.
Thanks
Influentia2,
Thanks for passing it on and to Pugmom for posting the article on the other site. I was pleased to read TomDVM’s critique. The information concerning virus killing heat generated within manure piles makes sense. The more I learn, the less I know.
Hi Night Owl - I left you a message on the yellow fever thread, too. As you can see our handles are similar. I am a long time poster at FW but had not posted recently. I am also a moderator on the site that Influentia2 posted at 21:55, so you can see the confusion that could result with our handles.
The article you have posted is really interesting, and it is wonderful that you are posting and already making valuable contributions to the discussion. Would it be possible for you to choose another handle?
The more I learn, the less I know. I know what you mean Night Owl. I will pass the article on to more people. Please let me know here what you decide to do about your handle. I would like to follow more of your postings.
I’ve been a lurker for well over a year….reading but never saying anything. When I read the grain article, it seemed too important not to put it “out there” so I broke my silence and managed to post. Since then, I have not at all be sure about becoming a player, so to speak.
You have been very kind, Infulentia2 and I thank you for your encouragement and help. Most likely I will go back to observer mode as I think that is more comfortable for me and my time constraints.
Ooops! Let me qualify that previous statemet. I’ve been following the growing Bird flu threat for over a year,on various forums. I haven’t been on this forum for nearly as long….. formerly Night Owl.
Night Owl, Thank you for the kind words.
I hope you remain as a poster either here or on the new Flu Wiki or over at the site where Pugmom posted your article. If you are not sure how to register or post at a site I will help you out gladly. I read all three sites plus search news on Indonesian cases each night after work. I mainly lurk also but I do post Indonesian stories and sometimes I post bad jokes:) I do hope you decide to continue posting and commenting but I understand that you need to do what you are comfortable with also. I prefer lurking and learning too.
Anyway I am glad you TOOK THE PLUNGE with that article and I am glad to have gotten to talk to you.
I did find this interesting Night Owl and I thought I’d share it with you. There used to be a thread on here about this Dr. so you and others may be familiar with this.
Here is one link from FW Night Owl.