… That You Can Act On Right Now!
We must all remain vigilant in the fight against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) infections and outbreaks.
The last “AI season” (wave 6) struck late-October 2024, resulting in 81 infected premises in BC alone, with the loss of over 2.7 million domestic birds, a shortage of chicks, and far too much stress for chicken growers and everyone involved.
While research continues on how to really beat HPAI, there are some key precautions you can still take that may crack the cycle.
6 Best Practices to Fight HPAI
—To Act On Right Now
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1. Understand where HPAI lurks.
Did you know AI can live for 6 days on cardboard at room temp? What you know influences where you apply the most necessary biosecurity precautions. These infographics are easy to read and are worth sharing with anyone who works on your farm (download them for your own use).
2. Heed clean barn entry.
It’s too easy to trip up on this critical step. Let’s be honest—this step gets skipped way too often; our field staff see it all the time. If there’s one place to tighten up your biosecurity, for everyone who comes and goes, it’s at the front door.
3. Reconsider footbaths.
They aren’t all they’re sized up to be—or as effective as they look. A quick rinse may make boots look clean, but standing water is a breeding ground for bacteria, defeating the purpose entirely. Boot dips just don’t do the job… and may deserve the boot.
4. Get darkling beetles squashed.
Bugs and pests can carry unwanted diseases—even AI. They love a cozy barn as much as your birds do; and your birds love a crunchy snack… but to their (and your) detriment. There are ways to keep these relatively long-lived, cold-resistant, and prolific critters at bay or under control.
5. Keep an eye on infections.
Know where infections are being reported, and where control zones are being set up. Staying in-the-know daily will help you avoid surprises and prepare for changes. (And maybe all the hard work will pay off and we’ll see it in the numbers.)
6. Know what will happen if HPAI strikes.
The CFIA has tight protocols for you and their teams that helps contain an infected premise. They want you to be informed and able to act, too.
Bonus! Understand zones and permitting.
If you’re in the BC Fraser Valley, do you understand how control zones and movement permits work? Last “season”, the CFIA ran pilot protocols which they found effective, and so have made permanent. It’s good to know what to expect.
Special thanks to the following for the curated information presented in this resource: Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC), Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), BC Chicken Marketing Board staff (especially its auditors), and caring and concerned BC chicken growers.