Biosecurity for Disease Prevention

Safeguarding Poultry Health

The technology "Biosecurity for Disease Prevention" is a set of practices and strategies implemented in poultry farming to prevent the introduction and spread of disease-causing organisms. It is guided by the design and day-to-day management of poultry production units and is based on three main elements: isolation, traffic control, and sanitation. This technology also promotes training for poultry farmers and workers to raise awareness about the importance of biosecurity measures, not only for their personal health but also for the profitability of their business. It emphasizes the importance of diligent surveillance for early disease detection, which helps reduce the impact and spread of diseases. Furthermore, biosecurity is crucial at every stage of the poultry value chain, from breeding to feed processing, to prevent a wide range of pathogens, some of which also pose a threat to humans.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

8•7

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 8/9; level of use 7/9

ROI: $$$ 50 %

Veterinary costs reduced

0.036—0.076 USD

Materials per birds

Problem

Poultry farming faces a number of challenges, including:

Poultry farms face a significant risk of disease introduction and transmission due to the large number of birds and their concentration in flocks.
Diseases can lead to mass culling of poultry flocks or even entire farms, resulting in substantial economic losses.
There is a need for effective strategies to prevent the transmission of disease-causing pathogens in poultry farms.
Some poultry diseases, such as Salmonella and Avian Influenza, can also pose a threat to human health.

Solution

In response to the pressing challenges of disease prevention in poultry farming, the concept of Biosecurity for Disease Prevention has emerged as a comprehensive solution:

It offers a bundle of preventative disease control measures for poultry producers. These measures include isolation, traffic control, and sanitation.
Diligent surveillance is emphasized for early disease detection, which can reduce the impact and spread of diseases to other flocks.
The technology encourages training for poultry farmers and workers to raise awareness about the importance of biosecurity measures for personal health and business profitability.
Biosecurity measures are required at every stage of the poultry value chain, from breeding centers and hatcheries to processing factories.
Biosecurity measures protect against a range of poultry pathogens, including Newcastle disease, Avian cholera, Marek's disease, Salmonella, Coccidiosis, Mycoplasmosis, Colibacillus, and Avian Influenza, addressing the threat to both poultry and human health.

Key points to design your business plan

For Manufacturers:

The biosecurity program offers a comprehensive solution to prevent disease outbreaks in poultry farms. By implementing these practices, manufacturers can help poultry farmers improve flock health and increase productivity. This technology also promotes long-term cost savings by reducing the need for expensive treatments and culling.

Potential customers for this disease prevention practice include poultry equipment manufacturers, veterinary product manufacturers and users, and are equally relevant to commercial and smallholder producers, but vary depending on flock size.

Manufacturers can collaborate with veterinarians for biosecurity planning and implementation to prevent diseases. They can also benefit from partnering with agricultural extension services to promote biosecurity practices and engage with research institutes such as the International Livestock Research Institute to stay updated on the latest biosecurity innovations.

Key resources for manufacturers include expertise in biosecurity measures and poultry health management, access to high-quality materials for biosecurity implementation such as disinfectants and protective gear, and a strong distribution network to supply biosecurity products to various regions.

Initial start-up costs involve set-up costs associated with the design and construction of secure premises. Ongoing costs include the purchase of disinfectants and equipment to prevent the spread of disease, estimated at $0.036 per broiler and $0.076 per hatching egg producer.

There are no specific licensing requirements for biosecurity practices. However, compliance with local reporting requirements for serious disease outbreaks is necessary. In addition, there may be requirements for signage of disinfection points and maintenance of designated clean and dirty areas.

For Users:

The use of biological control agents offers cowpea farmers increased yields, reduced yield losses due to pod borers and reduced reliance on chemical pesticides, resulting in improved profitability and environmental sustainability.

For end users such as poultry farmers, the benefits are a significant reduction in disease risk and the associated costs of disease treatment and flock culling. Implementing biosecurity measures can lead to healthier flocks, increased egg production and better feed efficiency, ultimately improving overall profitability.

Key partners for end users include veterinarians who can provide guidance on biosecurity practices and early disease detection. Suppliers of biosecurity products and local agricultural extension services are also essential partners.

Early results suggest that the cost of biosecurity practices is relatively low, at 2% to 5% of total operations cost, making it a cost-effective investment with a cost/benefit ratio of 1:49.

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

As biosecurity technology helps prevent losses from disease and increases flock productivity, farmers can experience higher profitability from poultry farming.

The poor: Positive high

It helps prevent these losses by minimizing the spread of diseases, ensuring that even low-resource farmers can protect their investment and maintain a steady income.

Under 18: No impact

Women: Positive medium

This technology can improve productivity, reduce losses, and enhance food security, thereby boosting their economic independence and livelihood.

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

It enhances the resilience of poultry farms, therefore ensuring the continuity of poultry farming even as climate conditions become more unpredictable.

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Biosecurity technology helps farmers build stronger systems to respond to climate-related disease threats.

Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity

Biosecurity measures help contain diseases within farms, reducing the risk of transmission to wild birds and other animals, thereby protecting local ecosystems.

Carbon footprint: Much less carbon released

Biosecurity reduces the need for emergency interventions such as mass culling, which can waste resources and result in unnecessary carbon emissions from the disposal of large numbers of dead birds.

Environmental health: Greatly improves environmental health

Good biosecurity practices limit the spread of infections, which in turn reduces the need for antibiotics. This helps prevent the contamination of environment with pharmaceutical residues, promoting healthier ecosystems.

Soil quality: Does not affect soil health and fertility

Biosecurity protocols require proper manure management, which prevents soil contamination and helps maintain soil quality for future use.

Water use: Same amount of water used

Biosecurity technology minimizes the contamination of water sources from poultry waste and disease agents, ensuring that water remains clean and safe for use.

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested

Countries where the technology has been tested and adopted
Country	Tested	Adopted
Benin	Tested	Adopted
Burundi	Tested	Adopted
Central African Republic	Tested	Adopted
Côte d’Ivoire	Tested	Adopted
Democratic Republic of the Congo	Tested	Adopted
Ethiopia	Tested	Adopted
Gabon	Tested	Adopted
Ghana	Tested	Adopted
Guinea	Tested	Adopted
Kenya	Tested	Adopted
Malawi	Tested	Adopted
Mozambique	Tested	Adopted
Niger	Tested	Adopted
Nigeria	Tested	Adopted
Rwanda	Tested	Adopted
Senegal	Tested	Adopted
Sierra Leone	Tested	Adopted
Somalia	Tested	Adopted
South Sudan	Tested	Adopted
Tanzania	Tested	Adopted
Uganda	Tested	Adopted
Zambia	Tested	Adopted
Zimbabwe	Tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 3: good health and well-being

Biosecurity practices limit the spread of diseases like Avian Influenza and Salmonella, which can be transmitted from poultry to humans. This helps protect public health, particularly in rural and farming communities where zoonotic disease risks are higher.

Goal 5: gender equality

By improving the profitability and sustainability of poultry farming through biosecurity, women farmers can enhance their income and economic status.

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

Biosecurity technology supports a more stable and resilient poultry sector, which is crucial for fostering sustainable economic growth.

Goal 12: responsible production and consumption

Biosecurity practices promote responsible production by reducing the spread of disease and limiting the need for harmful interventions like mass culling or excessive use of antibiotics.

Here are the steps for implementing biosecurity measures in poultry farming:

1. Ensure that poultry houses are situated away from densely populated human settlements and other animal production systems to reduce the risk of disease transmission.

2. Establish an isolated area within the poultry operation for the treatment and recovery of sick chickens, preventing the spread of diseases to the main flock.

3. Newly acquired birds should be quarantined for a period of fourteen days and vaccinated before they are introduced into the main flock.

4. Require all workers to wear boots, overcoats, gloves, and face masks. These protective garments should be regularly disinfected to prevent disease spread.

5. Install a footbath with a strong cleaning solution at the entrance of each poultry house to disinfect footwear, reducing the risk of contamination.

6. Facilities for feed storage and processing birds should be located 30 to 50 meters away from the production houses to minimize the risk of disease transmission.

7. Implement a system where vehicles entering the premises must drive through a water sanitation pan to prevent the introduction of pathogens.

8. Ensure that poultry manure is kept at least 20 meters away from production units to reduce the risk of contamination.

9. Infected chickens should be either burned or buried off-site to prevent the spread of diseases within the farm.

10. Install mesh wire fencing around the premises to prevent the entry of rodents, wild birds, and domesticated animals that may carry diseases, helping to maintain a disease-free environment.

Last updated on 17 September 2024