Abstract Title
Husbandry Practices Affecting Influenza Vulnerability?
Abstract
In Germany, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has now become endemic. Despite similar risks for virus introduction, not all farms are equally affected. Many studies describe risk factors regarding increased probabilities of occurrence and aspects of biosecurity, but only few describe the underlying decision-making of farmers.
In a case-control study in the German federal state of Lower Saxony 20 poultry farms affected by HPAI several times since 2016 will be compared with 40 unaffected farms. A “KAP”-questionnaire is used to semi-quantitatively record the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding biosecurity of the manager and one employee of each farm. In addition, existing biosecurity measures are evaluated using a checklist. Subsequently, correlations between the assessed biosecurity and the questionnaire results, as well as differences between the case and control farms. These results will be available by June 2025. The qualitative results of the pilot study already suggest that different levels of knowledge and practices of farmers could decisively influence the risk of HPAI outbreaks in poultry farms.
In a second part of the project the “health belief model” will be used in a cross-sectional study to understand the behavior of farmers regarding the implementation of biosecurity measures more comprehensively and nationwide. This includes the assessment of the perceived risk of HPAI, the own susceptibility, effectiveness of measures, obstacles and motivators.
Based on the results of both study parts, impediments regarding the effective implementation of biosecurity measures are to be identified, elimination points created and poultry protected from HPAI in long term.
In a case-control study in the German federal state of Lower Saxony 20 poultry farms affected by HPAI several times since 2016 will be compared with 40 unaffected farms. A “KAP”-questionnaire is used to semi-quantitatively record the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding biosecurity of the manager and one employee of each farm. In addition, existing biosecurity measures are evaluated using a checklist. Subsequently, correlations between the assessed biosecurity and the questionnaire results, as well as differences between the case and control farms. These results will be available by June 2025. The qualitative results of the pilot study already suggest that different levels of knowledge and practices of farmers could decisively influence the risk of HPAI outbreaks in poultry farms.
In a second part of the project the “health belief model” will be used in a cross-sectional study to understand the behavior of farmers regarding the implementation of biosecurity measures more comprehensively and nationwide. This includes the assessment of the perceived risk of HPAI, the own susceptibility, effectiveness of measures, obstacles and motivators.
Based on the results of both study parts, impediments regarding the effective implementation of biosecurity measures are to be identified, elimination points created and poultry protected from HPAI in long term.
Co-Author(s)
Janet Held, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Riems, Germany
Carola Sauter-Louis, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Riems, Germany
Ursula Gerdes, Niedersächsische Tierseuchenkasse, Hannover, Germany
Katja Schulz, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Riems, Germany
Abstract Category
Biosecurity, mitigation, control, and post-epidemic considerations in poultry