Biosecurity measures to reduce influenza infections in military barracks in Ghana

Military barracks in Ghana have backyard poultry populations but the methods used here involve low biosecurity measures and high risk zoonosis such as avian influenza A viruses or Newcastle disease. We assessed biosecurity measures intended to minimize the risk of influenza virus infection among tro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	BMC research notes Vol. 8; no. 1; p. 14
Main Authors:	Agbenohevi, Prince Godfred, Odoom, John Kofi, Bel-Nono, Samuel, Nyarko, Edward Owusu, Alhassan, Mahama, Rodgers, David, Danso, Fenteng, Suu-Ire, Richard D, Bonney, Joseph Humphrey Kofi, Aboagye, James, Kronmann, Karl C, Duplessis, Chris, Oyofo, Buhari Anthony, Ampofo, William Kwabena
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	England BioMed Central Ltd 23-01-2015 BioMed Central
Subjects:	Adult Analysis Animal Husbandry - education Animal Husbandry - manpower Animals Avian influenza Biosecurity Chickens Disease Outbreaks - prevention & control Disease transmission Female Ghana Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Humans Infection Influenza A virus Influenza A virus - physiology Influenza in Birds - prevention & control Influenza in Birds - transmission Male Medical research Medicine, Experimental Middle Aged Military Personnel - education Prevention Risk Factors Safety and security measures Security Measures - organization & administration Short Report Soldiers Surveys and Questionnaires Vaccination Zoonoses Zoonoses - prevention & control Ghana
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Summary:	Military barracks in Ghana have backyard poultry populations but the methods used here involve low biosecurity measures and high risk zoonosis such as avian influenza A viruses or Newcastle disease. We assessed biosecurity measures intended to minimize the risk of influenza virus infection among troops and poultry keepers in military barracks. We educated troops and used a questionnaire to collect information on animal populations and handling practices from 168 individuals within 203 households in military barracks. Cloacal and tracheal samples were taken from 892 healthy domestic and domesticated wild birds, 91 sick birds and 6 water samples for analysis using molecular techniques for the detection of influenza A virus. Of the 1090 participants educated and 168 that responded to a questionnaire, 818 (75%) and 129 (76.8%) respectively have heard of pandemic avian influenza and the risks associated with its infection. Even though no evidence of the presence of avian influenza infection was found in the 985 birds sampled, only 19.5% of responders indicated they disinfect their coops regularly and 28% wash their hands after handling their birds. Vaccination of birds and use of personal protective clothing while handling the birds were low putting the people at risk. Though some efforts have been made to improve biosecurity practices, interventions that help to protect the poultry flock from direct contact have to be practiced. Basic hygiene like washing of hands with soap and running water and regular cleaning of chicken coops are needed to prevent the spread of diseases among birds and between birds and humans.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	1756-0500 1756-0500
DOI:	10.1186/s13104-014-0956-0