How to Prevent Bird Flu in Farms
Bird flu (H5N1) is a type of disease caused by a virus that is transmitted from birds to humans. This disease has plagued Asia, the Middle East, Africa to some parts of Europe. This disease can cause death for the sufferer.
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| How to Prevent Bird Flu in Farms |
In Indonesia alone, cases of infection by the H5N1 virus first appeared in 2005. Based on data from the Ministry of Health in 2018, there were 200 cases reported with 168 of them causing death. The virus is spread through close contact with infected (live or dead) birds. If you have a poultry farm, you should take precautionary steps on your farm so as not to cause a bad impact on the surrounding environment.
Overview of Avian Influenza
Bird flu is also known as Avian influenza, which is a disease caused by a virus and attacks poultry such as chickens. The type is divided into two, namely low pathogenesis and high pathogenesis.
Low pathogenesis is not so dangerous, usually infected birds only experience flu-like symptoms and the common cold. Meanwhile, birds with high pathogenicity are highly contagious and cause up to 90% death.
Farms that are indicated to be infected by Avian influenza usually experience mass deaths. As happened in the United States in 2014, 50 million chickens and turkeys died from infection with the H5N2 subtype.
Symptoms of Bird Flu in Poultry
It will be difficult for us to detect early because the birds look quite healthy and do not show early symptoms, but it turns out that our birds carry the disease. But usually chickens that have been infected are very likely to experience sudden death within a few hours even though they do not show any symptoms.
Meanwhile, the general symptoms of bird flu in birds that are infected with Avian influenza are as follows:
Decreased activity, poultry looks lethargic
Blueness in the head area
Decreased appetite
Eyes look wet or watery
Decreased egg production
Some have bloody feet under the skin
Sudden death
Overview of Avian Influenza
Bird flu is also known as Avian influenza, which is a disease caused by a virus and attacks poultry such as chickens. The type is divided into two, namely low pathogenesis and high pathogenesis.
Low pathogenesis is not so dangerous, usually infected birds only experience flu-like symptoms and the common cold. Meanwhile, birds with high pathogenicity are highly contagious and cause up to 90% death.
Farms that are indicated to be infected by Avian influenza usually experience mass deaths. As happened in the United States in 2014, 50 million chickens and turkeys died from infection with the H5N2 subtype.
Symptoms of Bird Flu in Poultry
It will be difficult for us to detect early because the birds look quite healthy and do not show early symptoms, but it turns out that our birds carry the disease. But usually chickens that have been infected are very likely to experience sudden death within a few hours even though they do not show any symptoms.
Meanwhile, the general symptoms of bird flu in birds that are infected with Avian influenza are as follows:
Decreased activity, poultry looks lethargic
Blueness in the head area
Decreased appetite
Eyes look wet or watery
Decreased egg production
Some have bloody feet under the skin
Sudden death
If you find these symptoms, then immediately quarantine all livestock that are in one cage or yard. This aims to prevent the spread of disease to other birds and humans in the surrounding environment.
How to Prevent the Transmission of Bird Flu in Farms
Although the facts on the ground that efforts to prevent the transmission of Avian influenza cannot be guaranteed 100%, at least you can do the following things:
Limiting wild birds to your farm
It is best to avoid feeding wild birds to prevent them from being compelled to frequent the farm. The virus that causes this disease can be transmitted through migratory birds.
Caring for and maintaining the cleanliness of the cage
Do a thorough cleaning of the cages on your farm at least once a week. Do not allow leftover feed to accumulate or spill in the cage area because it can attract wild birds.
Avoid various equipment between livestock
For example, if you have a farm for several types of poultry, you should use separate equipment. Sharing equipment will increase the potential for contracting the Avian influenza virus easily.
Limiting visits and visitors
We can not guarantee the cage on the farm is completely clean from virus infection. So you can alternatively try to limit visits and visitors.
Limit the number of people who can enter the farm area because it is possible to carry disease. Likewise, if you visit other places, make sure to wash your footwear and change clothes when you return to the farm area.
How to Prevent the Transmission of Bird Flu in Farms
Although the facts on the ground that efforts to prevent the transmission of Avian influenza cannot be guaranteed 100%, at least you can do the following things:
Limiting wild birds to your farm
It is best to avoid feeding wild birds to prevent them from being compelled to frequent the farm. The virus that causes this disease can be transmitted through migratory birds.
Caring for and maintaining the cleanliness of the cage
Do a thorough cleaning of the cages on your farm at least once a week. Do not allow leftover feed to accumulate or spill in the cage area because it can attract wild birds.
Avoid various equipment between livestock
For example, if you have a farm for several types of poultry, you should use separate equipment. Sharing equipment will increase the potential for contracting the Avian influenza virus easily.
Limiting visits and visitors
We can not guarantee the cage on the farm is completely clean from virus infection. So you can alternatively try to limit visits and visitors.
Limit the number of people who can enter the farm area because it is possible to carry disease. Likewise, if you visit other places, make sure to wash your footwear and change clothes when you return to the farm area.