1. Biosecurity Training Module 1
Introduction
September 2015
Preventing the spread of avian influenza to a poultry site is critical. This module includes information to help employees understand why following biosecurity measures are important.

2. Lesson Objectives
Describe the concept of ‘biosecurity’ and why it is important to follow biosecurity protocols
Learn how transmission of avian influenza can occur
Diagram a poultry site including the Perimeter Buffer Area and Line of Separation
Employees play a critical role in preventing the introduction of avian influenza onto a poultry site. Therefore, employees need to understand what biosecurity is and why biosecurity protocols need to be followed. Avian influenza can be transmitted in several ways. By learning how it is transmitted, employees will understand why it is so important to always follow the biosecurity protocols. Learning the role of the Perimeter Buffer Area and how to respect the Line of Separation will ensure that you do not expose the birds in your care to avian influenza.
Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University, 2015

3. What is Biosecurity? A series of management practices
Designed to prevent the introduction and spread of disease agents onto a poultry or egg production facility
First, it is helpful to understand what biosecurity is. Biosecurity involves a series of management practices designed to prevent the introduction and spread of disease agents – in this case -- avian influenza -- onto a poultry and egg production facility.
Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University, 2015

4. Importance of Biosecurity
Biosecurity measures
Reduce the risk of spreading avian influenza during:
Movement of poultry
Movement of personnel
Movement of equipment
Various biosecurity measures, when properly implemented, will help reduce the risk of spreading avian influenza during every day activities. These include movement of poultry, personnel, equipment and other materials.
Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University, 2015

5. Avian Influenza Transmission
Routes of transmission
Aerosol (air)
Oral (ingestion)
Direct contact
Fomites (objects)
Wild birds
Insects
Rodents
Avian influenza can be transmitted in several ways. Understanding these routes can help determine biosecurity measures on the poultry site. Routes of transmission to be discussed include aerosol, oral, direct contact and indirect transfer by fomites (objects). Wild birds, rodents and insects may also transmit avian influenza to poultry.
Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University, 2015

6. Avian Influenza Transmission
Aerosol
Breathing in droplets containing avian influenza virus
Aerosol transmission occurs when animals breath in droplets containing avian influenza virus. This can occur between birds in the same barn, between birds in different barns or even birds on different nearby sites.
Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University, 2015

7. Avian Influenza Transmission
Oral/ingestion
Consumption of avian influenza virus via:
Contaminated feed
Contaminated water
Pecking at a contaminated object
Oral transmission occurs when an animal consumes pathogens such as avian influenza. Avian influenza may be present in contaminated food or water. Birds may also peck objects contaminated with avian influenza. Transmission can occur anywhere in the bird’s surroundings.
Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University, 2015

8. Avian Influenza Transmission
Direct contact
Physical contact
Other birds
Contaminated objects (fomites)
Direct contact transmission occurs through the physical contact of a bird with another bird infected with avian influenza. Avian influenza may be transmitted through blood or other body fluids when birds rub on each other, when pecking another bird occurs, or when they contact objects contaminated with avian influenza virus (fomites).
Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University, 2015

9. Avian Influenza Transmission
Fomites
Inanimate objects such as equipment, clothing, boots, or vehicles
Indirect transmission may occur through fomites. Fomites are inanimate objects capable of transferring avian influenza through either direct contact or oral transmission. Fomites such as equipment, tools, clothing or boots, vehicles, cages, egg handling equipment and other items may become contaminated with avian influenza. When poultry are exposed to contaminated fomites, avian influenza transmission may occur. Cleaning, decontaminating with disinfectants or heat, and drying fomites will help reduce the risk of a fomite transmitting avian influenza.
Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University, 2015

10. Avian Influenza Transmission
Wild birds
Water birds or their droppings
Small birds in poultry houses
Wild birds and their droppings can serve as a source of avian influenza. Infected droppings can be carried on people’s footwear.
Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University, 2015

11. Avian Influenza Transmission
Rodents and insects
Can be contaminated with avian influenza virus
Contact with infected birds or droppings
Transfer avian influenza virus to susceptible birds
Contaminate poultry feed
Rodents and insects may transmit avian influenza. If they become contaminated with avian influenza virus from close contact with birds or the bird’s droppings, they may physically transfer avian influenza virus to other areas where susceptible birds are housed or may contaminate poultry feed.
Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University, 2015

12. Biosecurity Lines
Perimeter Buffer Area (PBA) and Line of Separation (LOS)
Biosecurity Lines on poultry sites act as a barrier to reduce spread of avian influenza to the birds onsite. These lines consist of the Perimeter Buffer Area or PBA and the Line of Separation or LOS. This slide diagrams two poultry premises. Both diagrams display a Perimeter Buffer Area designated by a light blue color. The Line of Separation is displayed in both diagrams by a red line.
Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University, 2015

13. Perimeter Buffer Area (PBA)
Outer control boundary around the buildings to reduce contamination
First line of defense to protect birds housed within the perimeter
The PBA acts as an outer control boundary, set up around the perimeter of the buildings to reduce the potential for contamination of the area around the buildings. It may be an actual barrier such as a perimeter fence or it may be marked by flags, ropes or other markings. The PBA is the first line of defense to protect the birds housed within the perimeter. Vehicles that are not cleaned and decontaminated should not enter the PBA.
Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University, 2015

14. Line of Separation (LOS)
The LOS is established to isolate birds from possible sources of infection. This line is normally the walls of the building plus a line in the entry to the building. A site may have as many Lines of Separation as there are buildings, or buildings connected by a hallway may all be within one Line of Separation. The LOS is represented by a red line on both diagrams. The shaded area around the LOS is the Perimeter Buffer Area.
Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University, 2015

15. Line of Separation (LOS)
Established to isolate birds from possible sources of infection.
Crossing the LOS
LOS cannot be crossed without following biosecure entry protocol
Includes animals, people, and fomites
Following designated procedures to cross the LOS will reduce the chances that avian influenza will infect the birds onsite. No animals, people or fomites should cross to the poultry side of the LOS without following biosecure entry protocols.
Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University, 2015

16. Biosecurity Lines
Both the PBA and LOS will be discussed in more detail in their respective modules included in Biosecurity Training
Specific biosecurity measures have been developed for the PBA and LOS. These standards are outlined in the modules that follow as part of the Employee Biosecurity Training.
Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University, 2015

17. Next Steps Proceed to Biosecurity Training Module 2:
Do NOT Bring Avian Influenza to the Site
Additional details on these concepts can be found in the modules that follow. Please proceed to the additional biosecurity modules in order to complete this Employee Biosecurity Training
Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University, 2015