Moving beyond AI Case study from The Netherlands IEC/OVONED Ben Dellaert Buenos Aires, 26th October 2016
Disease control AI in NL Regulations European Guideline: 2005/94 stamping out (no vaccination) National: Animal Health and welfare law: Intensive monitoring : blood samples: indoor 1x/year and outdoor/turkeys 4x/year Prevention measures Temporary measures National control program based on experience HPAI outbreak 2003 Contingency plan Contingency plan Ministry of Economic Affairs and Agriculture Implementation plan by National Food and Consumer Product Safety Authory (NVWA) and COMMON SENSE!
0-3 km; protection zone (PZ) 3-10 km; surveillance zone (SZ).1 km 3 km 10 km
AI - The Netherlands measurements LPAI: Stamping out infected farm Transport limitation 1-3km zone Screening farms in 1-3 km zone HPAI: Standstill 72 hrs poultry (and other located animals on poultry farms) Stamping out infected farm(s), and suspected farms in neighbourhood Compensation to farmers Transport limitation PZ and SZ zone (2005/94/EEG) Compartments
Compartments following contingency plan
Example: 4 compartments 4 regions North South Gelderse Vallei (high density area) West
Compartments measurements Goal is to reduce contacts between poultry farms in high / low density regions and infected regions: 1:1 transport conditionally allowed Hygiene measures on necessary transports Transportation of poultry manure forbidden No new flock on farm Transportation one day old chicks allowed within Netherlands, only for export Bottlenecks: slaughter capacity (solution: corridors), exorbitant damage hatching eggs, one day old chicks (solution: temporary compensation fund)
Lessons learnt (1) Evaluation of the different approaches in The Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom (EU has 1 guideline..) Remarkable: HPAI outbreaks only on farms with indoor housing systems Nearly all LPAI outbreaks on freerange farms
Lessons learnt (2) Need for more information to detect risks from bird migration periods Importance of early warning & compensation Be prepared! Attention for extra bio security, pest control: avoid cross-contamination
What is biosecurity The combination of all measures taken to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of diseases on herd, region, country Biosecurity is (should be) the basis of any disease control program Biosecurity procedures should be implemented as part of normal operating procedures in the absence of HPAI detection If HPAI is detected, poultry production sites in a Control Area may be required to implement additional biosecurity procedures as directed by National authorities.
Qualitative ranking of transmission routes in relation to the risk of transfer of pathogens The risk increases to the right. The green boxes describe how the different risks can be reduced (Source: Alban and Boklund 2008)
A quantitative tool to measure biosecurity Many decisions about biosecurity based on experience We can't afford Just do something No protocol suitable for every herd Balance biosecurity < > management Voluntarily -> interest in biosecurity -> higher scores Large difference between: Scores of different farms External biosecurity and internal biosecurity Lot of improvement possible in many herds
Tool as management system? Scoring system Quantification of biosecurity status Comparing of scores between different herds Comparing of scores in time Taking different risks into account Tools already available: Belgium: Biocheck, University of Gent VS: Self-Assessment tool after HPAI outbrake 2015 (USDA) Netherlands: Self-Assessment tool after HPAI outbrake 2014
First results Self-Assessment Tool in the Netherlands Tool is part of the National Quality System (IKB) Based on Riks for spreading and introduction The results are discussed with the veterinarian to improve biosecurity Results are put in a National database system for benchmark applications Every farmer fills the questionnaire annually Scoring system annually reviewed and tightened
% poultry Farms Result scoring system in NL 2015 % Poultry Farms added biosecurity measurements after self assessment 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Jan Feb Ma Ap May June July Aug Sep Okt Nov Dec Effect after HPAI outbreak 2014 Start scoring system
Biosecurity Scoring System 6 subcategories based on risk for transmission: Biosecurity management farm site (16%) Biosecurity farmhouses (14%) Biosecurity production site (12%) Biosecurity Measures for Wild Birds, Rodents (25%) Boundary around the production site (9%) Vehicle, equipment and personnel (24%) Extra questions for high risk farms (Free range, Ducks) 6-18 questions per subcategory Weighted scores for each subcategory and each question
Biosecurity farmhouses Subcategories
Biosecurity management farm site Subcategories
Biosecurity production site Subcategories
Biosecurity wild birds and rodents Subcategories
Biosecurity Boundary around the production site Subcategories
Vehicle, equipment and personnel Subcategories
Extra questions for high risk farms Subcategories
Conclusion Risk of Avian Influenza through wild birds increases Biosecurity is the basis of any disease control program Useful biosecurity management tools are available Benchmarking helps raise awareness Scoring system provides insight into critical biosecurity management issues
Thank you for your attention.