UPDATE: Infectious Laryngotracheitis – ILT – Canada
By Canadian Poultry Magazine
Features Disease watch Health Diseases
UPDATE: July 14, 2018 * Advisory lifted
LOCATION: Northwest area of the Niagara region, Ontario
On behalf of Ontario’s four feather boards, the Feather Board Command Centre (FBCC) is announcing that the biosecurity ILT advisory that was issued to all commercial poultry farmers and small flock growers in the northwestern part of the Niagara Region on March 16, 2018 has now been lifted.
The owner of the commercial broiler chicken operation involved, has collaborated closely with their veterinarian, processor and hatchery, Chicken Farmers of Ontario staff and the FBCC to successfully apply enhanced biosecurity and disease control measures as described in the ILT response protocol.
Rigorous adherence to biosecurity principles by farmers in the risk area as well as by service providers over the last 3 months has prevented spread of the disease. Ongoing veterinary surveillance indicates no further signs of respiratory illness.
Normal biosecurity levels can now be restored.
Farmers should continue to be very diligent in observing their flocks, monitoring mortalities and tracking feed and water consumption. If you suspect any signs of infectious disease, please contact your veterinarian and your Board immediately.
LOCATION: Northwest area of the Niagara region, Ontario
The FBCC is issuing an update to the March 16, 2018 Biosecurity Advisory relating to the diagnosis of ILT on a commercial broiler chicken farm in the northwestern part of the Niagara Region.
A second case of ILT has been identified in a subsequent crop of vaccinated broiler chickens being raised in the same barn as the first case. However, the attending veterinarian stated that the vaccine appears to be effective in preventing new cases as general flock health is improving. It is important to remember that the ILT virus can be very persistent in litter, on interior wood surfaces and the environment.
FBCC continues to coordinate disease response efforts with Chicken Farmers of Ontario, the farmer, their veterinarian, OMAFRA and industry partners to eliminate the disease on the index farm and prevent spread of the virus.
All farmers, family food growers and service providers operating in the advisory area are strongly advised to maintain enhanced biosecurity measures at this time.
Active flock health monitoring continues on-site as well as on linked farms and those nearby. To date there have been no further reports of ILT beyond the index farm.
The enhanced biosecurity advisory area will remain in place until disease control can be assured. As your farm has been identified as being located within the 10km biosecurity advisory area, we request that you remain vigilant in following the enhanced biosecurity procedures that are in effect.
Should you suspect any signs of health concerns in your flock, please contact your veterinarian as well as your Board.
ILT is a serious, contagious disease caused by a respiratory virus.
Signs to look for include: increased mortality, noisy breathing, head-shaking, off feed, decreased egg production, inactivity, ruffled feathers and conjunctivitis.
Please advise any visitors to your premises of your biosecurity protocols because of this situation and keep a logbook of movement in relation to your farm.
Minimize visits to other poultry production sites, avoid exchanging equipment with other poultry production sites or ensure that it is washed and disinfected.
Ensure all personnel in contact with birds wear boots, protective suits, head coverings and gloves/proper handwashing procedures. Ensure adequate control of vermin and wild birds.
UPDATE: March 22, 2018
LOCATION: Northwest area of the Niagara region, Ontario
The FBCC is issuing an update to the March 16, 2018 Biosecurity Advisory relating to the diagnosis of ILT on a commercial broiler chicken farm in the northwestern part of the Niagara Region.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
FBCC is coordinating efforts with Chicken Farmers of Ontario, the farmer, their veterinarian and industry partners to control spread and prevent reoccurrence of the disease on the index farm including:
- Extensive cleaning/disinfection/heating procedures once birds were shipped;
- Increased production downtime and postponement of placement;
- Inoculation of incoming chicks with a vaccine type approved for eradication; and
- Actively monitoring farms at highest risk.
The Animal Health Lab at University of Guelph has determined that the virus strain associated with this case is indistinguishable from the ILT virus which caused a significant outbreak in Niagara in 2004.
As your farm has been identified as being located within the 10km biosecurity advisory area, we recommend that you remain vigilant in following the enhanced biosecurity procedures that are in effect.
Should you suspect any signs of health concerns in your flock, please contact your veterinarian as well as your Board. ILT is a serious, contagious disease caused by a respiratory virus. Signs to look for include: increased mortality, noisy breathing, head-shaking, off feed, decreased egg production, inactivity, ruffled feathers and conjunctivitis.
Please advise any visitors to your premises of your biosecurity protocols because of this situation and keep a logbook of movement in relation to your farm. Minimize visits to other poultry production sites, avoid exchanging equipment with other poultry production sites or ensure that it is washed and disinfected. Ensure all personnel in contact with birds wear boots, protective suits, head coverings and gloves/proper handwashing procedures. Ensure adequate control of vermin and wild birds.
Initial alert:
DATE: March 16, 2018
LOCATION: Northwest area of the Niagara region, Ontario
DETAILS: On behalf of the four feather boards, the Feather Board Command Centre (FBCC) is issuing an ILT Biosecurity Advisory to all poultry industry service providers operating in the northwestern part of the Niagara Region. A Biosecurity Advisory Area map is being provided to assist with routing and enhanced biosecurity measures.
FBCC has been notified by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), that Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT) has been diagnosed on a commercial broiler chicken farm in the northwestern part of the Niagara region. All farmers and small flock growers within 10 km of the affected farm are being notified by board staff and advised to enhance their biosecurity and closely monitor flock health.
This is the first diagnosis of ILT in an Ontario broiler chicken flock in several years. The high broiler chicken density in the area creates the potential for spread to other
unvaccinated birds. OMAFRA reports that the farmer is following proper biosecurity protocols and the situation is under control.
Please reinforce your biosecurity protocols if working with flocks or travelling through this area of the Niagara Region. Suspend all non-essential visits. For essential visits, apply the following recommended biosecurity measures: wearing boots, protection suits, hats and gloves/hand washing. All deliveries/loading should be last on the route. Wash and disinfect the truck’s undercarriage and steps before proceeding with any other delivery/loading. Do not go to another farm within 12 hours.
Should you be aware of health concerns in flocks you deal with, please advise the farmer to contact their veterinarian as well as their Board.
We anticipate this advisory status to last until at least late April.
SOURCE:
Feather Board Command Centre
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