Assessment of biosecurity measures implemented on the broiler farms in the region of Belgrade city
Main Article Content
Abstract
The implementation of biosecurity measures as the first line of defense is an essential prerequisite for preventing the occurrence and spread of infectious agents in flocks. Assessment of biosecurity measures on the farms was carried out during farm visits based on the application of an appropriate questionnaire whereby the farmer answered a number of questions regarding the implemented biosecurity measures. The study was performed via Biocheck.UGent online survey on 16 broiler farms in the region of the city of Belgrade. The capacity of farms was 25,000-100,000 broilers, placed in 2-4 houses, depending on the farm. Farm visits were made by the authors to confirm the correct answers to the online survey. Results showed that external biosecurity scores ranged from 57% to 93%, averaging 83.6%. Internal biosecurity score ranged from 48% to 98%, with an average score of 85.7%. The total score for the biosecurity assessment ranged from 56% to 93%, with an average score of 84.3%. The scores for subcategories varied between the farms. Removing manure and carcasses, a subcategory within the category of external biosecurity, had the lowest mean score (farms 9 and 10 had a score of 12%). Relatively low scores were also obtained for the number of steps of broilers depopulation (farm 9 had a score of 44%) and for the location of the farm (farms 2 and 3 had a score of 44%). Concerning internal biosecurity, the lowest score was obtained for the subcategory material and measures that they apply between compartments (farm 10 had a score of 29%). These findings should be useful for decision-makers and flock veterinarians and farmers to set feasible targets and sustainable biosecurity programs to improve biosecurity, the health status of the flock, and farm profitability.
Downloads
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright of the published papers and grant to the publisher the right to publish the article, to be cited as its original publisher in case of reuse, and to distribute it in all forms and media. Articles will be distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0).
References
Agunos A., Waddell L., Léger D., Taboada E. 2014. A systematic review characterizing on-farm sources of Campylobacter spp. for broiler chickens. PLoS One, 29, 9(8):e104905. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0104905.
Alarcón L.V., Allepuz A., Mateu E. 2021. Biosecurity in pig farms: a review. Porcine Health Management, 7(1):5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40813-020-00181-z.
Bojesen A.M., Nielsen S.S., Bisgaard M. (2003). Prevalence and transmission of hemolytic Gallibacterium species in chicken production systems with different biosecurity levels. Avian Pathology, 32: 503-510. https://doi.org/10.1080/0307945031000154107.
Bolan N.S., Stogy A.A., Chuasavathi T., Seshadri B., Rothrock M.J., Panneerselvam P. 2010. Uses and management of poultry litter. World’s Poultry Science Journal, 66: 673–698. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043933910000656.
Božić B., Pajić M., Petrović T., Pelić M., Samojlović M., Polaček, V. 2016. Pathologic changes in swans infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N8) virus. Archives of Veterinary Medicine, 9: 77–86.
Dewulf J., Immerseel F.V., Luyckx K., Postma M., Vabeselaere B. 2018. How to measure biosecurity and the hygiene status of farms. Page 117. Page 3000. In Biosecurity in Animal Production and Veterinary Medicine: From Principles to Practice. J. Dewulf and F. V. Immerseel eds, Uitgeverij Acco, Blijde Inkomststraat, 22. Belgie, Leuven.
Djurdjević B., Polaček V., Pajić M., Petrović T., Vučićević I., Vidanović D., Aleksić-Kovačević S. 2023. Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 outbreak in backyard chickens in Serbia. Animals, 13, 700. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040700.
EU. 2021. Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’). Official Journal of the European Union L 84/1. Consolidated text Document 2016R0429-20210421 (2021): Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and mending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (Animal Health Law)
FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation). 2008. Biosecurity for highly pathogenic avian influenza: issues and options. Animal Production and Health, paper No 165, FAO, Rome, https://www.fao.org/3/i0359e/i0359e.pdf, ISBN 978-92-5-106074-2
Gelaude P., Schlepers M., Verlinden M., Laanen M., Dewulf J. 2014. Biocheck.UGent: a quantitative tool to measure biosecurity at broiler farms and the relationship with technical performances and antimicrobial use. Poultry Science, 93(11):2740-2751. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.2014-04002.
Institute of Public Health of Serbia “Dr. Milan Jovanovic Batut”, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2022. The Report on Infectious Diseases in 2021 – the Territory of the Republic of Serbia.
Kureljušić B., Savić B., Milovanović B, Maletić J., Ninković M, Jezdimirović N., Prodanov Radulović J. 2023. Assessment of biosecurity measures in the commercial (industrial) pig farms in Serbia. Book of abstracts, The 2023 Annual General Meeting of the cost action CA20103 Better, 07.-08. February, Ghent, Belgium, p. 39. https://better-biosecurity.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Book-of-abstracts-COST-meeting-BETTER-Ghent-2023-final-version-page-numbered.pdf.
Kyakuwaire M., Olupot G., Amoding A., Nkedi-Kizza P., Basamba TA. 2019. How safe is chicken litter for land application as an organic fertilizer? A review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(19):3521. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193521.
Lister S. A. 2008. Biosecurity in poultry management. M. Patisson, P. F. McMullin, J. M. Bradbury, and D. J. Alexander, ed. Pages 48–65. In Poultry Diseases (6th Edition). Saunders Elsevier, Beijing, China.
Maletić, J., Milićević, V., Veljović, Lj., Glišić, D., Spalević, J., Kureljušić, B., Maksimović Zorić, J. 2022. Avian Influenza in wild birds in Belgrade city area. International Symposium, Avian influenza and West Nile virus – global treats for emerging and re-emerging diseases, Novi Sad 10-11.3.2022, Book of proceedings, 117-121. ISBN 978-86-82871-45-3.
https://repo.niv.ns.ac.rs/xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/485/statpt22.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y.
Maletić J., Pajic M., Đurđević B., Kureljušić B. 2023. Biosecurity measures on the broilers and breeders’ farms in Serbia. Book of abstracts. The 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Cost Action CA20103 Better, Ghent, Belgium, p. 31. https://better-biosecurity.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Book-of-abstracts-COST-meeting-BETTER-Ghent-2023-final-version-page-numbered.pdf
Newell D.G., Elvers K.T., Dopfer D., Hansson I., Jones P., James S., Gittins J., Stern N.J., Davies R., Connerton I., Pearson D., Salvat G., Allen V.M. 2011. Biosecurity-based interventions and strategies to reduce Campylobacter spp. on poultry farms. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 77(24):8605-14. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.01090-10.
Nöremark M., Lindberg A., Vågsholm I., Sternberg Lewerin S. 2009. Disease awareness, information retrieval, and change in biosecurity routines among pig farmers in association with the first PRRS outbreak in Sweden. Preventive veterinary medicine, 90(1-2): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2009.03.008.
Raasch S., Postma M., Dewulf J., Stärk K.D., grosse Beilage E. 2018. Association between antimicrobial usage, biosecurity measures, and farm performance in German farrow-to-finish farms. Porcine Health Management, 4:30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40813-018-0106-5.
Renault V., Humblet M.F., Saegerman C. 2022. Biosecurity concept: Origins, evolution and perspectives. Animals, 12: 63. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12010063.
Robertson I.D. 2020. Disease control, prevention, and on-farm biosecurity: The role of veterinary epidemiology. Engineering, 6: 20–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2019.10.004.
Scollo A., Levallois P., Fourichon C., Motta A., Mannelli A., Lombardo F., Ferrari P. 2022. Monitoring means and results of biosecurity in pig fattening farms: Systematic assessment of measures in place and exploration of biomarkers of interest. Animals, 12(19), 2655. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12192655.
Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia. 2022. Available at https://data.stat.gov.rs/Home/Result/130202010206?languageCode=sr-Cyrl
Van Limbergen T., Dewulf J., Klinkenberg M., Ducatelle R., Gelaude P., Méndez J., Heinola K., Papasolomontos S., Szeleszczuk P., Maes D. 2018. Scoring biosecurity in European conventional broiler production. Poultry Science, 97(1):74-83. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pex296.
Van Limbergen T., Sarrazin S., Chantziaras I., Dewulf J., Ducatelle R., Kyriazakis I., McMullin P., Méndez J., Niemi J.K., Papasolomontos S., Szeleszczuk P., Van Erum J., Maes D. 2020. Risk factors for poor health and performance in European broiler production systems. BMC Veterinary Research, 16(1): 287. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-020-02484-3.
Wilkinson K.G., Tee E., Tomkins R.B., Hepworth G., Premier R. 2011. Effect of heating and aging of poultry litter on the persistence of enteric bacteria. Poultry Science, 90: 10–18. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.2010-01023.