Prevent Avian Influenza with Wildlife Management Practices and Biosecurity for Swine Projects

By
KHARDI J MUKUYU

Avian influenza swept through the Midwest this spring causing 223 outbreaks in the worst bird-flu epidemic in U.S. history. The virus was carried by migratory waterfowl and spread through their droppings, although authorities are still evaluating how much biosecurity lapses and environmental factors contributed.

It’s been over a month since the last outbreak was confirmed, but a new wave of outbreaks could start when fall migration begins. There are two important things you can do now to prepare. The first is to ensure you are consistently using appropriate biosecurity measures. The USDA and its industry partners provide a list of recommended measures.

The second recommendation is to follow wildlife management practices that help prevent wild birds from coming into direct contact with your poultry and droppings from being accidentally transported by boots or equipment to your birds. The USDA suggests following these three practices.

1. Reduce wildlife attractants
Water will be your biggest enemy in terms of attracting wildlife. You should remove standing water whenever possible. Use deterrents such as wire grids or scare devices to keep waterfowl from using water ponds or basins near poultry barns. Do not use untreated surface water for watering poultry or cleaning barns as it may be contaminated.

Reduce food sources by keeping feed structures on clean pads and cleaning regularly. Cut back on natural wildlife feed, such as grass seeds, insects, and fruit trees by mowing frequently, removing fallen fruit, and not piling used litter near barns.

Also, it’s important to keep all waste covered.

2. Prevent wildlife access
Remove unnecessary ledges or horizontal surfaces where wildlife can perch, and install netting, screens, and perch deterrents like bird spikes. Repair holes and tears in barn walls. Before nesting season, remove old nests.

3. Add wildlife deterrents
Move and replace scare devices frequently to make them more effective.

For more tips, see the USDA’s new biosecurity flyer.

Biosecurity for Swine Projects

When showing swine, it's important to take necessary biosecurity measures to keep hogs healthy – on and off your farm.

“Before the show, at the show, and after the show are the three main components regarding biosecurity for a swine project,” says Mark Knauer, swine specialist at North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.    

Before the Show
It’s important that your pig meets specific show requirements and is properly identified, vaccinated, and has the proper health papers before it's taken to a show.

You also want to clean and disinfect all of your show equipment, and make sure you have adequate show supplies so you don’t have to borrow from others. 

“Monitor the pig’s health prior to the event, so it doesn’t get other pigs sick at the show,” says Knauer. “Look for signs of abnormal eating behavior; coughing or respiratory issues such as shallow, rapid breathing; and loose stools.” 

Knauer also suggests that exhibitors go through the Youth Pork Quality Assurance program. The training goes over proper animal handling, husbandry, and preparation tips for show exhibitors. According to Knauer, PQA is required for some fairs but not all of them. You can access the PQA from pork.org.

At the Show
Direct contact between pigs is the most common way diseases are spread. While some contact amongst the animals in the show ring is inevitable, it’s wise to minimize direct exposure to other pigs as much as possible. 

Knauer recommends not borrowing or sharing equipment with other exhibitors and keeping your area and equipment clean at the show. Also, wash your hands frequently when coming into contact with other pigs and equipment. 

“Continue to monitor the pigs daily for signs of illness. If you think your pig is showing symptoms, you need to inform the vet in charge or the show’s director so proper procedures are followed,” Knauer says.  

After the Show
After the show is when Knauer thinks of biosecurity being most important. If you have other pigs at home, he recommends quarantining the show pigs for 30 to 60 days or until they test negative for specific diseases, such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRV). If you don’t have other pigs at home, then you don’t have to quarantine. 

“Generally, if those pigs do pick up a bug at the fair, that quarantine time will allow them to settle down,” he explains. “However, if you have breeding stock at home, I recommend testing for PRRS before introducing them to any other breeding stock on the farm.” 

Once again, you’ll want to clean and disinfect your equipment and let it dry in the sun. The sun will help dry out the equipment and get rid of any pathogens that may be hanging around.   When quarantining the show pigs, you also want to take into consideration any wild animals or feral swine in the area. 

“In many parts of the country, there are wild pigs or feral swine. If you have feral swine in the area, you want to take that into consideration and either put the show pigs in a different part of the farm, or put up a double fence to make sure there’s a barrier between the wild animals and your swine project.”

 Killing Pathogens
When it comes to cleaning and disinfecting, cleaning means to generally keep animals and their pens or living area clean and picked up. Disinfecting show equipment is also important to rid of the pathogens that carry the infectious diseases. 

According to Knauer, what’s more important than the specific type of disinfectant you use is that you get the equipment dry.

 “The best way to kill all bacteria and viruses is to get the equipment dry after using a disinfectant. The pathogens aren’t going to be able to survive in a dry climate.”

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