By Andi Anderson
Nearly four months have passed since the announcement of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) in Texas dairy farms. H5N1 has now spread to 13 states, affecting over 163 dairy herds and numerous poultry flocks. Alarmingly, the disease has also been transmitted to several farm employees.
While cows can recover from the infection, the impact on infected dairy farms has been significant. The USDA has provided funds to help offset financial losses.
However, the situation is more dire for poultry farms, where birds often die, and euthanizing flocks is the only way to mitigate the spread once a farm is infected. Public health is also a concern, as farm employees are susceptible to infection, and in many areas worldwide, H5N1 has severe health consequences for humans.
Investigations have determined that humans, not wildlife, are spreading the virus. Fortunately, Indiana has not had a confirmed case, and it is crucial to keep it that way.
The Indiana Board of Animal Health has issued simple but effective biosecurity practices that can easily be incorporated into daily routines to protect cows, employees, and neighboring poultry farms.
Biosecurity Practices: "Hands, Feet, and Tires"
Farm Workers and Families:
Regularly wash and sanitize hands before and after contact with animals, milk, and milking equipment.
Keep dedicated barn shoes or boots on the farm. Do not wear these boots elsewhere, and keep them clean and disinfected.
Wear freshly laundered, dedicated clothing to the barns daily. Consider providing a commercial uniform service for your team.
Keep pets out of animal areas and be cautious if farm workers or their family members work on a poultry farm.
Visitors:
Avoid unnecessary contact with animals, milk, or milking equipment. Wash or sanitize hands before and after contacts.
Wear disposable shoe covers or clean and disinfect footwear.
Require visitors to park in designated areas away from animals. Clean wheel wells and floorboards with disinfectant.
Maintain a visitor log to record who visits the farm and when.
Milk Haulers:
Require milk haulers to wash and sanitize hands before and after each visit. Encourage the use of disposable gloves.
Haulers should wear disposable boot covers and disinfect shoes and truck cabs before entering.
Wear clean clothing and wash them daily.
Avoid spilling or dumping milk from other farms. Soak up outdoor spills with pine shavings.
Consider incorporating the "Danish Entry System," which uses a marker or barrier to indicate a set of biosecurity protocols that must be followed when crossing the boundary. This system is standard practice in the pork and poultry industries and can be as simple as a bench or traffic cones.
H5N1 is a serious threat with significant financial and labor implications. Adopting these biosecurity measures can help protect your farm, employees, and neighbors from this devastating disease. Implementing these practices is crucial for maintaining farm safety and preventing the spread of H5N1.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-suriyasilsaksom
Categories: Indiana, Livestock, Poultry