Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been a global problem for wild birds and poultry production for years. Originally, HPAI was a seasonal phenomenon, but the virus now occurs year year-round in several regions of the world. As a result, the virus can be introduced into poultry flocks via a variety of pathways. The most common transmission route is the human carrying the pathogen onto farms. HPAI is highly infectious, causes severe general signs of disease and leads to high mortality rates, so that an infected flock must be completely culled. Increasing biosecurity at farm level can reduce the risk of HPAI being introduced. An online tool has been developed in Germany for broiler farmers, herd veterinarians and advisors to enable individual assessment of farm and pathogen pathogen-specific biosecurity concepts.
Access the tool here.
Download a BroilerNET factsheet below.