Progress 07/01/11 to 06/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in backyard poultry flocks among nine counties of Maryland from May 2011 to August 2011. The objective of this study was to obtain baseline data from a survey on biosecurity practices and investigate risk factors associated with positive findings of avian influenza (AI), Newcastle disease (ND), infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT), Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), and Salmonella Enteritidis (SE). A four page questionnaire was created in order to determine biosecurity factors that may be associated with the health status of small flocks. In May 2011, the Maryland Department of Agriculture confidentially mailed 1,000 informational letters and return postcards to poultry owners enrolled in the Maryland Poultry Registration Program. Each backyard flock owner, following initial correspondence, was sent a copy of the questionnaire as well as a link to an online version of the survey. Respondents were offered a free diagnostic health status report of their flock as an incentive to participate in the study. Upon agreement to participate, owners were sent an information sheet and consent form providing further details of the study including the risks and benefits of participation. Participants were asked to self-report information on the number and species of poultry reared, presence of other animals, animal husbandry, opportunities for interaction between wild birds and poultry, farm biosecurity measures, and health status of poultry. Serum, tracheal, and cloacal swabs were randomly collected from 262 birds among 39 registered premises. Appropriate samples were tested for avian influenza (AI), Newcastle disease (ND), infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT), Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), and Salmonella Enteritidis (SE). PARTICIPANTS: This project was actually the Master's thesis of the Dr. Tablante's graduate student, Ms. Jennifer Madsen. Dr. Timmons and Dr. Zimmermann served on Ms. Madsen's thesis committee and shared their time and knowledge of poultry management. Dr. Lamichhane and Dr. Song of the Synbiotics Corporation generously provided the ELISA kits and technical assistance. Several faculty and labs in the Department of Veterinary Medicine at UMD also contributed to this project. Dr. Siba Samal's lab provided La Sota NDV samples and guidance in laboratory procedures. Dr. Daniel Perez and his lab provided various influenza A viruses and protocols. Dr. Yanjin Zhang was also very helpful with PCR trouble shooting. Other positive control samples were kindly provided by outside sources. The Maryland Department of Agriculture, Frederick Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory provided Salmonella isolates and Dr. Naola Ferguson-Noel from the University of Georgia donated samples of Mycoplasma gallisepticum A5969 DNA. Ultimately this thesis would not have been possible without the collaboration from the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Maryland backyard flock owners. TARGET AUDIENCES: Results of the disease surveillance study were reported to the Maryland Department of Agriculture and shared with poultry veterinarians, poultry scientists, and industry personnel through a poster presented at the 2012 AVMA/AAAP annual meeting in San Diego, CA. Online extension Moodle courses on avian influenza and biosecurity were developed for audiences including backyard flocks owners, youth and 4-H members, as well as emergency responders. These self-directed certification courses provide information consolidated from multiple government organizations on avian influenza and how it may affect backyard flocks, as well as details on prevention, response, and recovery. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The avian influenza Moodle courses are updated regularly on the basis of course evaluations and new developments regarding avian influenza and biosecurity practices.
Impacts
The goals of this study were successfully implemented and completed as surveillance data from this project provided a better understanding of biosecurity and pathogen transmission relationships within backyard flocks, particularly of those exposed to avian influenza. The first objective led to the characterization of Maryland backyard flock biosecurity practices, identifying the strengths and weaknesses among flock owners. While no risk factors were identified as statistically significant after multivariate logistic regression, proportional observations were analyzed and reported with strengths of association as addressed in the remaining five objectives, furthering the knowledge of disease prevalence in a population subjected to few inspections. Disease surveillance will always remain a necessity and will further improve disease management programs alongside with prevention and education strategies. In addition to the surveillance study, online eXtension Moodle courses on avian influenza and biosecurity were developed for audiences including backyard flocks owners, youth and 4-H members, as well as emergency responders. These self-directed certification courses provide information consolidated from multiple government organizations on avian influenza and how it may affect backyard flocks, as well as details on prevention, response, and recovery. Since the launch of the Backyard Flock course, more than 100 registered users from all over the world including HPAI affected countries such as Egypt, Indonesia, and Iraq have participated. Course impact has been evaluated showing the user's knowledge on avian influenza and biosecurity before and after completing the course had increased from 13% to 61%. On a scale of one to five, users rated ease of use as 4.5, information clarity as 4.6, content level appropriate 4.5, and graphics as 4.5. Several owners reported that they plan on changing their biosecurity practices after taking the course. Supplemental to the courses is a virtual hands on backyard flock designed to test participants' knowledge on biosecurity using an avatar in Second Life. As demonstrated in this study, education is essential for backyard flock ownership as the majority of flock owners sampled had kept poultry for five years or less. Many flocks did not practice "good" biosecurity, as previously described, many of which are simple, practical, and affordable. Biosecurity factors associated with disease prevalence identified in this study will be highlighted in the biosecurity courses, such as protecting birds from wild birds and waterfowl, particularly during the spring and summer months when migration season is at its peak and implementing pest control. Education programs, such as these, provide a large impact and are more cost effective than surveillance as they aim to prevent disease closer to the source.
Publications
- Madsen, J., N.L. Tablante, J. Timmons, and N. Zimmermann. Epidemiological analysis of biosecurity practices and associated prevalence of diseases in non-commercial poultry flocks. Page 12697 In Proc. 2012 AVMA Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.
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