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Division of Animal Health and Dairy Services
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Biosecurity for Live Bird Markets
To prevent a possible transmission of Avian Influenza or other highly contagious
disease, poultry producers and dealers must also use biosecurity precautions
at live-bird markets.
Live-bird markets operate in many major cities. Avian influenza viruses
can be introduced into these markets from infected birds or from contaminated
crates, personnel or vehicles. Once the virus is established in the market,
the movement of birds, crates, or vehicles and personnel from a contaminated
market can spread the virus back to other farms and markets. Therefore,
the following protective measures should be taken at live-bird markets
to prevent the possible spread of disease:
- Replace wooden crates with plastic or metal crates, whenever possible,
for easier and more thorough cleaning.
- Keep scales and floors clean of manure, feathers, and other debris.
- Drivers should be advised to clean and disinfect all equipment, crates,
and vehicles before returning them to the farm.
- Keep incoming poultry separate from unsold birds, especially if birds are
from different lots.
- Do not return unsold birds to the farm. Never allow live birds to leave
the live bird market without slaughtering.
- For more specific information about biosecurity and cleaning and disinfection
practices, contact the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources,
Bureau of Animal Health, at 617-626-1795.
The Department of Agricultural Resources has initiated a voluntary cleaning
and disinfection action plan to counter the threat of Avian Influenza in
live bird markets. The cleaning and disinfection would be conducted at
least monthly and actions taken recorded in a log. The program consists
of the following actions:
- Depopulate all poultry from the market.
- Assemble all equipment needed to clean and disinfect premises (brooms,
brushes, buckets, gloves, etc.).
- Move equipment away from walls.
- Lightly mist the area to be cleaned with water (this is to fix dust to
surfaces).
- Remove all solid wastes/organic matter from poultry equipment (such as
crates and pens).
- Remove solid wastes from the room by first sweeping the ceiling, next work
down the walls and finish with the floor.
- Wash the equipment and room with hot water; pressure spraying is preferred
but hose and brush is acceptable. Work from the poultry equipment to the
ceiling and then down the walls, finishing with the floor, making sure
to remove all particles, which may have been stuck. Remember that dirt
cannot be disinfected, it must be removed.
- Apply disinfectant, starting with the poultry equipment and working up
to the ceiling, down the walls, and then to the floor. Disinfect with a
mixture of 1&1/2 cups of bleach per gallon of water.
- Make sure you have adequate ventilation and protection to prevent discomfort
or irritation from disinfecting agents.
- Make sure not to cross from a dirty area to a cleaned and disinfected area.
- Leave area empty for 24 hours
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