Logistical Study in Hyogo Prefecture on Disposal of Poultry Carcasses Infected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus to Prevent Infection Spreading to Other Flocks

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 73; no. 5; pp. 573 - 581
• Main Authors: WATANABE, Osamu, ISHII, Jun, KITAGAKI, Takahisa, OKAWA, Hirokazu, MATSUMOTO, Hitomi, KAMEYAMA, Mamoru
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 01.05.2011; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Agriculture; Animals; avian disease; Avian influenza virus; Chickens; Data Collection; Disease Outbreaks - prevention & control; Disease Outbreaks - veterinary; epidemiology; influenza; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; Influenza in Birds - epidemiology; Influenza in Birds - prevention & control; Japan - epidemiology; Refuse Disposal - methods; Surveys and Questionnaires; Japan
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.10-0435

Establishment of a disposal plan for carcasses in advance is important for prevention of epidemics. A disposal plan for contaminated goods such as poultry carcasses infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus was studied in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. We investigated all poultry farms with over 1,000 birds for their locations, species and numbers of birds, structure and size of poultry facilities and land spaces of the farms. Moreover, we judged whether they could dispose of all the carcasses at their farms. In 2005, 5.5 million layers and 2.7 million broilers were being kept. If HPAI had broken out, 44.0% of the farmers could bury all the carcasses, and 65.6% could compost them at their farms. However, 23.4% could not dispose of them except by burning them at incineration facilities. We decided to choose burning first for rapid disposal as long as the virus was not a pandemic type.