What is World Poultry Day?

What is World Poultry Day?

What is world poultry day?

World Poultry Day is celebrated on May 10th every year to recognize the importance of poultry in our lives. Poultry refers to domesticated birds that are raised for meat, eggs, and feathers. It includes chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, and quails. This World Poultry Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the contribution of poultry to our food security and economy.

Important disease in poultry

There are currently two poultry-related diseases that have a major impact on poultry farming. These two diseases are avian leukosis and avian influenza. Once the poultry is infected with these two diseases, the breeder will have a great loss. 

The 2021–2022 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) epidemic season is the largest epidemic so far observed in Europe, with a total of 2,398 outbreaks in poultry, 46 million birds culled in the affected establishments, 168 detections in captive birds, and 2,733 HPAI events in wild birds in 36 European countries. Between 16 March and 10 June 2022, 1,182 HPAI virus detections were reported in 28 EU/EEA countries and United Kingdom in poultry (750), and in wild (410) and captive birds (22). 

In addition, up to now, humans have occasionally been infected with subtypes H5N1 (around 870 cases reported, of which half died), H7N9 (around 1,500 cases reported, of which about 600 died), H5N6 (around 80 cases reported, of which about 30 died), H9N2 (around 80cases reported, of which 2 died) and sporadic cases have been reported with subtypes H3N8, H7N4, H7N7 and H10N34,5,6,7,8.

The impact of avian leukosis

One of the main impacts of avian leukosis is a decrease in the productivity of affected birds. Chickens with avian leukosis may lay fewer eggs, grow more slowly, and have a higher mortality rate than healthy birds. This can lead to significant economic losses for poultry farmers, as they may have to cull affected birds or reduce their flock size.

Another impact of avian leukosis is the potential for the disease to spread to other birds in the flock. Avian leukosis is highly contagious and can be transmitted through contact with infected birds or their bodily fluids. If the disease is not detected and controlled early, it can quickly spread throughout a flock and lead to significant losses.

In addition to the impacts on individual birds and flocks, avian leukosis can also have broader impacts on the poultry industry as a whole. The disease can lead to trade restrictions and import bans on poultry products from affected regions, which can have significant economic consequences for producers and exporters.

If you want to reduce the incidence of avian leukosis in poultry, then you should have regular diagnosis. For example, you can use Avian Leukosis Antigen Rapid Test KitAvian Leukosis Virus Antigen ELISA Kit. After the test is completed, you will know whether there are poultry infected or not.

The impact of avian influenza

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a highly contagious viral disease that affects birds. It can also be transmitted to humans, causing severe respiratory illness and even death. The virus is primarily found in wild birds, but it can also spread to domesticated birds such as chickens, turkeys, and ducks.

One of the most significant dangers of bird flu is its ability to spread rapidly. The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with infected birds, as well as through contaminated surfaces, water, and food. Once the virus is introduced into a flock of birds, it can quickly spread from bird to bird, causing widespread illness and death.

Another danger of bird flu is its potential to mutate and become more virulent. This can make it more difficult to control and can increase the risk of transmission to humans. In some cases, the virus has mutated to become more easily transmitted from birds to humans, leading to outbreaks of severe respiratory illness and even death.

If you want to reduce the incidence of avian influenza in poultry, you should be vaccinated for poultry and have regular diagnosis. For example, you can use Avian Influenza Antigen Test KitAvian Influenza Virus Real-time PCR Kit. After the test is completed, you will know whether there are poultry infected or not, if there are poultry infected with avian influenza, you need to report to the relevant local agency, and handle the animals and facility properly.

What should we do?

The poultry industry is a vital part of the global food system, providing a significant source of protein and other essential nutrients to billions of people worldwide. Poultry farming is also an important source of income and employment for millions of people, particularly in rural areas where other economic opportunities may be limited. For the better development of the poultry industry, we must always pay attention to poultry disease problems, and regularly diagnose diseases for poultry. This is something that not only needs attention on World Poultry Day, but also in everyday life.