Implementation of biosecurity measures on poultry farms needs to be improved

Researchers from Wageningen Bioveterinary Research spent several weeks at various poultry farms examining the daily implementation of biosecurity measures at each farm. Using 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week video monitoring, activities and movements of persons and materials were observed at the entrances to farm buildings and houses on various types of poultry farms, including broiler, laying hen, breeder and a duck farm.

The observations show that, in particular, the implementation of simple but important daily routine measures leaves room for improvement. For example, hands were rarely washed when entering and leaving the antechamber, and footwear changes were often carried out unsafely or incompletely.

Areas for improvement were also identified in relation to logistical processes. For example, when eggs were collected, the egg storage area was not cleaned and disinfected by the poultry farmer after the eggs had been collected. When young broiler chickens and ducks were delivered, transporters and poultry farmers were regularly observed entering the shed without changing their footwear. Furthermore, at one of the farms, litter was delivered in a way that could increase the risk of introducing pathogens.

In the study, one farm stood out for its consistent adherence to biosecurity measures. “Although the standards for biosecurity measures are not laid down in Dutch legislation, they are logical measures to prevent the introduction of pathogens, including the avian influenza virus,” says epidemiologist and project leader Armin Elbers. Basic biosecurity measures are laid down in biosecurity handbooks for livestock for example. “Our research shows that consistent implementation is achievable. At one farm, the measures were applied systematically and meticulously.” 

The results are consistent with international studies, which also show that the implementation of biosecurity measures is often inadequate worldwide. According to the researchers, the findings underline the importance of continuing to focus on raising awareness and providing training for poultry farmers, staff and professional visitors to poultry farms. “Proper implementation of existing measures can help reduce the risk of introducing avian influenza virus and other pathogens onto poultry farms,” says Elbers.

The research was carried out as a part of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) on Avian Influenza Risk: the relative role of transmission routes and biosecurity on and around poultry farms, which forms part of the One Health for Food (1H4F) programme. The PPP was funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) and Avined.

The full scientific article has been published in the open-access journal Pathogens: https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens1408075