Local farmers trying to protect poultry from Avian Bird Flu.
Recently, more reports are coming out about farmers battling bird flu especially chicken and turkey famers.
According to the CDC, avian influenza refers to infection of birds with avian influenza Type A virus. These viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Wild aquatic birds can be infected with avian influenza A viruses in their intestines and respiratory tract, but usually do not get sick. However, avian influenza A viruses are very contagious among birds and some of these viruses can sicken and even kill certain domesticated bird species including chickens, ducks, and turkeys. Infected birds can shed avian influenza A viruses in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with the virus as it is shed by infected birds. They also can become infected through contact with surfaces that are contaminated with virus from infected birds.
Avian influenza A viruses are classified into the following two categories: low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) A viruses, and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A viruses. Infection of poultry with LPAI viruses may cause no disease or mild illness (such as ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production) and may not be detected. Infection of poultry with HPAI viruses can cause severe disease with high mortality. Both HPAI and LPAI viruses can spread rapidly through poultry flocks. However, some ducks can be infected without any signs of illness.
Domesticated birds (chickens, turkeys, etc.) may become infected with avian influenza A viruses through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected poultry, or through contact with surfaces that have been contaminated with the viruses. Infection of poultry with LPAI viruses may cause no disease or mild illness and may only cause mild signs (such as ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production) and may not be detected. Infection of poultry with HPAI viruses can cause severe disease with high mortality. Both HPAI and LPAI viruses can spread rapidly through flocks of poultry. HPAI virus infection in poultry (such as with HPAI H5 or HPAI H7 viruses) can cause disease that affects multiple internal organs with mortality up to 90% to 100%, often within 48 hours. Some ducks can be infected without any signs of illness.
Avian Flu outbreaks across the US are costing tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue for farmers. Keeping birds carrying the flu away is critical. New bird control technologies vary in cost from quite low to significant - some of the very effective new technologies include products like Flock Off UV paint (birds see in UV and will stay away from intense UV like our paint) along with Flock Reflectors that spin and flash in the wind and sun. Since birds can not squint and their eyes are open, these two visual deterrents can be very effective in preventing birds from landing and may in fact cause them to deter flight patterns around your facility.
Many farmers have been finding great success with our Bird Hazers. Hazers turn the product Fog Force into an invisible haze that irritates birds in-flight. Fog Force is made from a food ingredient manufactured from the skin of concord grapes which are acidic. Birds have a nerve in their beak, the Trigeminal nerve, that is irritated by acidity. Our hazers place the product into the air and when birds inhale it the product drives them away. Hazers have a great success rate at repelling geese and other waterfowl that may carry the bird flu.
Posted by Bird Beat Blogger on May 11, 2015 at 4:09 PM under
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