The guidelines are intended to help countries identify priorities, objectives and the desired goal of disease control programmes.
Disease control programmes are often established with the aim of eventual eradication of agents at a country, zone or compartment level. While this approach is desirable, the needs of stakeholders may require a broader range of outcomes.
For some diseases, eradication may not be economically or practically feasible and options for sustained mitigation of disease impacts may be needed.
EFSA Opinion on electrical requirements for poultry waterbath stunning equipm...Harm Kiezebrink
In July 2014, EFSA provided her opinion on a study that proposes parameters for poultry electrical waterbath stunning different to those laid down in Council Regulation EU 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing.
The submitted study reports upon the use (mean + SD) of a current of 104.00 ± 3.88 mA, a voltage of 125.86 ± 3.28 V and a frequency of 589.78 ± 0.63 Hz using a square wave in alternating current (AC) with a 50 % duty cycle. These conditions were applied for 15 seconds to chickens under laboratory and slaughterhouse conditions.
The methodology and the data reported do not provide conclusive evidence that the combination of the proposed electrical frequency and current induced unconsciousness without exposing the chickens to avoidable pain and suffering, and some chickens did not remain unconscious for a sufficient time to prevent avoidable pain and suffering during slaughter.
EFSA stated in their report that it was doubtful that recovery of consciousness could be avoided prior to neck cutting and/or during bleeding. The minimum duration of unconsciousness was reported to be 11 seconds, which is too short to permit a feasible stun-to-stick interval. Further, it is also doubtful that recovery of consciousness could be avoided prior to neck cutting and/or during bleeding. The minimum time to resumption of breathing was reported to be 8 seconds following stunning.
Because the information provided in the study was incomplete and insufficient, it did not pass the eligibility phase of the assessment. The information provided was sufficient to conclude that the birds were not rendered immediately unconscious by the intervention. Application of a current less than that required inducing immediate unconsciousness causes pain, distress and suffering. The study failed to demonstrate absence of pain and suffering until onset of unconsciousness. The minimum duration of unconsciousness was too short to ensure unconsciousness until death by bleeding.
Spatio temporal dynamics of global H5N1 outbreaks match bird migration patternsHarm Kiezebrink
The global spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in poultry, wild birds and humans, poses a significant pandemic threat and a serious public health risk.
An efficient surveillance and disease control system relies on the understanding of the dispersion patterns and spreading mechanisms of the virus. A space-time cluster analysis of H5N1 outbreaks was used to identify spatio-temporal patterns at a global scale and over an extended period of time.
Potential mechanisms explaining the spread of the H5N1 virus, and the role of wild birds, were analyzed. Between December 2003 and December 2006, three global epidemic phases of H5N1 influenza were identified.
These H5N1 outbreaks showed a clear seasonal pattern, with a high density of outbreaks in winter and early spring (i.e., October to March). In phase I and II only the East Asia Australian flyway was affected. During phase III, the H5N1 viruses started to appear in four other flyways: the Central Asian flyway, the Black Sea Mediterranean flyway, the East Atlantic flyway and the East Africa West Asian flyway.
Six disease cluster patterns along these flyways were found to be associated with the seasonal migration of wild birds. The spread of the H5N1 virus, as demonstrated by the space-time clusters, was associated with the patterns of migration of wild birds. Wild birds may therefore play an important role in the spread of H5N1 over long distances.
Disease clusters were also detected at sites where wild birds are known to overwinter and at times when migratory birds were present. This leads to the suggestion that wild birds may also be involved in spreading the H5N1 virus over short distances.
Dossier Vaccination: what causes poultry vaccination to failHarm Kiezebrink
This is the third presentation on vaccination, posted recently by Dr. Ossama Motawae, an Egyptian veterinarian. In this presentation, he explains what causes vaccination programs to fail. An interesting presentation for those who are not so familiar with the day-to-day practice of poultry vaccination.
Dossier transmission: Transmission of Avian Influenza Virus to DogsHarm Kiezebrink
Avian influenza was found in a dog on a farm in South Gyeongsang Province amid growing concerns that the disease could spread to other animals, officials the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said. The dog ― one of three at a duck farm in Goseong-gun, South Gyeongsang Province ― had antigens for the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of bird flu, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said. The disease affected the farm on Jan. 23.
Since the first case of a dog being infected with the poultry virus in March 2014, there have been 55 dogs found with antibodies to the bird flu virus. The antibody means the immune system of the dogs eliminated the virus. This is the first time bird flu has been found in a dog in Korea through the detection of antigens.
“None of these dogs had shown symptoms. No antigens or antibodies for the virus were found in the two other dogs, which means that dog-to-dog transmission is unlikely to have happened,” quarantine officials said.
The ministry suspected that the dog may have eaten infected animals at the farm. All poultry and dogs at the concerned farm were slaughtered as part of the preventive measures right after the farm was reported to have been infected with the disease, officials said.
Meanwhile, quarantine officials rejected the possibility of viral transmission to humans. According to the ministry’s report, about 450 workers at infected farms across the country had been given an antigen test, with none showing signs of infection. None of Korea’s 20,000 farm workers have reported any symptoms so far, officials added.
“It is thought that infected dogs do not show symptoms of the disease as they are naturally resistant to bird flu,” the ministry said. Meanwhile, the Agriculture Ministry has toughened the quarantine measures in Goseong-gun. The region is a frequented by migratory birds, which are suspected to have spread the viral disease.
The poultry industry in China is dominated by chicken production which comprises 70 to 80 percent of all poultry production. On a macro level, by 2011 the country was already the second largest producer of poultry meat and eggs in the world and the size of the industry continues to expand.
This report tracks the growth of the Chinese poultry industry during the past three decades and the implications of this development. China’s poultry industry is going through rapid industrialization, characterized by intensification of farming, horizontal consolidation and vertical integration.
Both the size of the industry and changes in poultry production practices (in conjunction with development in the livestock sector as a whole) have significant implications for public health, the environment, rural livelihoods and animal welfare.
EFSA Opinion on electrical requirements for poultry waterbath stunning equipm...Harm Kiezebrink
In July 2014, EFSA provided her opinion on a study that proposes parameters for poultry electrical waterbath stunning different to those laid down in Council Regulation EU 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing.
The submitted study reports upon the use (mean + SD) of a current of 104.00 ± 3.88 mA, a voltage of 125.86 ± 3.28 V and a frequency of 589.78 ± 0.63 Hz using a square wave in alternating current (AC) with a 50 % duty cycle. These conditions were applied for 15 seconds to chickens under laboratory and slaughterhouse conditions.
The methodology and the data reported do not provide conclusive evidence that the combination of the proposed electrical frequency and current induced unconsciousness without exposing the chickens to avoidable pain and suffering, and some chickens did not remain unconscious for a sufficient time to prevent avoidable pain and suffering during slaughter.
EFSA stated in their report that it was doubtful that recovery of consciousness could be avoided prior to neck cutting and/or during bleeding. The minimum duration of unconsciousness was reported to be 11 seconds, which is too short to permit a feasible stun-to-stick interval. Further, it is also doubtful that recovery of consciousness could be avoided prior to neck cutting and/or during bleeding. The minimum time to resumption of breathing was reported to be 8 seconds following stunning.
Because the information provided in the study was incomplete and insufficient, it did not pass the eligibility phase of the assessment. The information provided was sufficient to conclude that the birds were not rendered immediately unconscious by the intervention. Application of a current less than that required inducing immediate unconsciousness causes pain, distress and suffering. The study failed to demonstrate absence of pain and suffering until onset of unconsciousness. The minimum duration of unconsciousness was too short to ensure unconsciousness until death by bleeding.
Spatio temporal dynamics of global H5N1 outbreaks match bird migration patternsHarm Kiezebrink
The global spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in poultry, wild birds and humans, poses a significant pandemic threat and a serious public health risk.
An efficient surveillance and disease control system relies on the understanding of the dispersion patterns and spreading mechanisms of the virus. A space-time cluster analysis of H5N1 outbreaks was used to identify spatio-temporal patterns at a global scale and over an extended period of time.
Potential mechanisms explaining the spread of the H5N1 virus, and the role of wild birds, were analyzed. Between December 2003 and December 2006, three global epidemic phases of H5N1 influenza were identified.
These H5N1 outbreaks showed a clear seasonal pattern, with a high density of outbreaks in winter and early spring (i.e., October to March). In phase I and II only the East Asia Australian flyway was affected. During phase III, the H5N1 viruses started to appear in four other flyways: the Central Asian flyway, the Black Sea Mediterranean flyway, the East Atlantic flyway and the East Africa West Asian flyway.
Six disease cluster patterns along these flyways were found to be associated with the seasonal migration of wild birds. The spread of the H5N1 virus, as demonstrated by the space-time clusters, was associated with the patterns of migration of wild birds. Wild birds may therefore play an important role in the spread of H5N1 over long distances.
Disease clusters were also detected at sites where wild birds are known to overwinter and at times when migratory birds were present. This leads to the suggestion that wild birds may also be involved in spreading the H5N1 virus over short distances.
Dossier Vaccination: what causes poultry vaccination to failHarm Kiezebrink
This is the third presentation on vaccination, posted recently by Dr. Ossama Motawae, an Egyptian veterinarian. In this presentation, he explains what causes vaccination programs to fail. An interesting presentation for those who are not so familiar with the day-to-day practice of poultry vaccination.
Dossier transmission: Transmission of Avian Influenza Virus to DogsHarm Kiezebrink
Avian influenza was found in a dog on a farm in South Gyeongsang Province amid growing concerns that the disease could spread to other animals, officials the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said. The dog ― one of three at a duck farm in Goseong-gun, South Gyeongsang Province ― had antigens for the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of bird flu, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said. The disease affected the farm on Jan. 23.
Since the first case of a dog being infected with the poultry virus in March 2014, there have been 55 dogs found with antibodies to the bird flu virus. The antibody means the immune system of the dogs eliminated the virus. This is the first time bird flu has been found in a dog in Korea through the detection of antigens.
“None of these dogs had shown symptoms. No antigens or antibodies for the virus were found in the two other dogs, which means that dog-to-dog transmission is unlikely to have happened,” quarantine officials said.
The ministry suspected that the dog may have eaten infected animals at the farm. All poultry and dogs at the concerned farm were slaughtered as part of the preventive measures right after the farm was reported to have been infected with the disease, officials said.
Meanwhile, quarantine officials rejected the possibility of viral transmission to humans. According to the ministry’s report, about 450 workers at infected farms across the country had been given an antigen test, with none showing signs of infection. None of Korea’s 20,000 farm workers have reported any symptoms so far, officials added.
“It is thought that infected dogs do not show symptoms of the disease as they are naturally resistant to bird flu,” the ministry said. Meanwhile, the Agriculture Ministry has toughened the quarantine measures in Goseong-gun. The region is a frequented by migratory birds, which are suspected to have spread the viral disease.
The poultry industry in China is dominated by chicken production which comprises 70 to 80 percent of all poultry production. On a macro level, by 2011 the country was already the second largest producer of poultry meat and eggs in the world and the size of the industry continues to expand.
This report tracks the growth of the Chinese poultry industry during the past three decades and the implications of this development. China’s poultry industry is going through rapid industrialization, characterized by intensification of farming, horizontal consolidation and vertical integration.
Both the size of the industry and changes in poultry production practices (in conjunction with development in the livestock sector as a whole) have significant implications for public health, the environment, rural livelihoods and animal welfare.
• The Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA) is a statutory Committee of Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D) constituted under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
• CPCSEA is duty bound to take all such measures as may be necessary to ensure that animals are not subjected to unnecessary pain or suffering before, during or after performance of experiments on them.
INTRODUCTION
• For this purpose, the Committee formulated the Breeding of and Experiments on Animals (Control & Supervision) Rules, 1998 (amended in 2001 & 2006) to regulate the experimentation on animals.
• Under the provisions of the above rules, establishments who are engaged in Bio-medical research, breeding and trading of laboratory animals are required to get themselves registered with CPCSEA.
• There are 19 members in the present CPCSEA wherein Dr. O. P. Chaudhary, Joint Secretary (Animal Welfare) is the Chairman of CPCSEA and Dr. S. K. Dutta, Joint Commissioner (Animal Welfare) is the Member Secretary of CPCSEA.
Need of cpcsea
FUNCTIONS
Institutional Animals Ethics Committee (IAEC)
(a) Every experiment shall be performed by or under the supervision of a person duly qualified.
(b) That experiments are performed with due care and humanity and as far as possible experiments involving operations are performed under the influence of some anaesthetic of sufficient power to prevent the animals from feeling pain;
(c) That animals who, in the course of experiments under the influence of anaesthetics, are so injured that their recovery would involve serious suffering, are ordinarily medically allowed to death while still under influence of anaesthetic;
(d) That experiments on animals are avoided wherever it is possible to do so.
(e) That experiments on larger animals are avoided when it is possible to achieve the same results by experiments on small laboratory animals like guinea-pigs, rabbits, mice, rats etc;
(f) That, as far as possible, experiments are not performed merely for the purpose of acquiring manual skill;
(g) That animals intended for the performance of experiments are properly looked after before, during and after experiments;
(h) That suitable records are maintained with respect to experiments performed on animals
Members of iaec
• A. IAEC members from the establishment (05 members):
• i. One biological scientist
• ii. Two scientists from different biological disciplines
• iii. One veterinarian involved in the care of animal
• iv. One scientist in charge of animal facility of the establishment concerned
• B. Nominees from the CPCSEA:
• i. Main Nominee (01)
• ii. Link Nominee *
• iii. Scientist from outside the Institute (01)
• iv. Socially Aware Nominee (01)
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC)
• Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC) is to be constituted in all centers engaged in genetic engineering researc
Animal Testing: Rationale for conducting studies, CPCSEA Guidelines
The use of animals in research is currently an essential component of the drug discovery process.
Animals help us advance our scientific understanding, serve as models to study disease, help us develop and test potential new medicines and therapies.
Animal testing has benefited researchers in understanding how to treat and prevent various conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, tuberculosis, polio, muscular dystrophy, and Parkinson's disease.
Education:
Undergraduate teaching to demonstrate effects of various drugs although this has been phased out in most institutes.
Postgraduate teaching to demonstrate the effects of various drugs, to determine the nature of an unknown drug for bioassay, screening methods and to learn skills e.g. administering drugs.
Research:
A larger number and a greater variety of animals are used in pure research than in applied research. This usually involves studies on embryogenesis, developmental biology, behaviour and breeding in Fruit flies, nematodes, mice and rats.
INTRODUCTION
The motto of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act 1960 as amended in 1982 is to prevent infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals.
The Central Government has constituted a Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA), which is duty bound to take all such measures as may be necessary to ensure that animals are not subjected to unnecessary pain or suffering before, during or after the performance of experiments on them.
The goal of these guidelines is to promote the human care of animal used in biomedical and behavioural research and testing.
To avoid/minimize pain and suffering inflicted on experimental animals
Inspection of animal house facilities
It provides guidelines for -
Proper care, housing, breeding, maintenance, handling and use of experimental animals.
Source of experimental animals
Acceptable experimental procedures for anaesthesia and euthanasia.
Registration of establishments conducting animal experimentation or breeding of animals for this purpose.
Selection and assignment of nominees for the Institutional Animal Ethics Committees (IAEC) of the registered establishments.
Approval of Animal House Facilities on the basis of reports of inspections conducted by CPCSEA.
Permission for conducting experiments involving use of animals.
Recommendation for import of animals for use in experiments.
Action against establishments in case of established violation of any legal norm/stipulation.
Conduct of Training Programmes for the Nominees of CPCSEA.
Conduct/Support of Conference/Workshop on Animal Ethics.
To assure quality maintenance and safety of animals used in laboratory studies while conducting biomedical and behavioural research and testing of products.
Quarantine
2. Personal hygiene
3. Environment
4. Physical facility
5. Animal husbandry
6. Animal disposal
7. Documentation
Prevention of cruelty to animals act,1960P.N.DESHMUKH
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act-1960 includes Objectives,
Definitions, CPCSEA - brief overview, Institutional Animal
Ethics Committee, Breeding and Stocking of Animals,
Performance of Experiments, Transfer and Acquisition of
animals for experiment, Records, Power to suspend or
revoke registration, Offences and Penalties.
Low Atmospheric Pressure Stunning is not a humane alternative to Carbon Dioxi...Harm Kiezebrink
I would like express gratitude to the HSA for their 20 years of tireless advocacy for improving pigs' welfare. Their efforts have empowered those seeking alternatives to carbon dioxide stunning. Over nearly 30 years, I've worked on animal welfare friendly stunning applications, particularly regarding stunning/slaughtering using nitrogen foam, and I believe I've found the definitive answer.
The industry originally adopted large-scale carbon dioxide stunning to optimize food production, reduce costs, and lower meat prices, which is only feasible with parallel processing (simultaneously stunning groups of pigs) rather than serial processing (stunning each pig individually). Electrocution is not viable for large-scale operations due to this need for parallel processing. Therefore, a replacement gas that lacks carbon dioxide's detrimental properties is needed, but only a few gases are suitable.
Additionally, the application of an alternative gas must adhere to several fundamental principles:
a) Applicability of the methods for stunning and killing pigs, including their scalability for large-scale application.
b) Description of the technical.
c) Animal welfare consequences associated with specific techniques, including welfare hazards (ABMs), animal-based indicators (ABIs), preventive and corrective measures, and the sufficiency of scientific literature in describing these consequences.
d) Applicability under field conditions.
Introducing a novel application for large-scale pig slaughter is complex and time-consuming before it can be expected, especially given the substantial economic and financial impact for the industry. However, there is hope on the horizon.
The alternative gas is nitrogen, and the application is based on using high-expansion foam filled with 100% nitrogen, applied in a closed container. Within a minute, all air is displaced by the foam, after which the container is sealed, and the foam is broken down with a powerful nitrogen pulse. This ensures that the foam does not affect the stunning process; the entire process can be visually and electronically monitored, and the residual oxygen level in the container is consistently below 2%. The container dimensions are identical to the gondolas used in the globally implemented carbon dioxide gondola system.
The integration of nitrogen foam technology into European regulation EU1099/2009 is nearing completion. All scientific and technical procedures have been submitted to the EU Commission, with finalization awaiting the presentation of EFSA's scientific opinion to the Commission and subsequent approval for inclusion. This final phase is anticipated to occur during the general meeting slated for June 2024.
This marks the first step toward replacing carbon dioxide in 25 years. Fingers crossed for the EU Commission's decision in June 2024!
Harm Kiezebrink
Independent Expert
Preventief ruimen bij vogelgriep in pluimveedichte gebieden en mogelijkheden ...Harm Kiezebrink
New Risk assessment model
The applications designed for farrow-to-weaner pig farms rely on a novel risk assessment model. This model, developed from a recent study, indicates that the likelihood of an undetected infection on nearby farms notably diminishes 7 to 14 days following the identification of the source farm.
This risk assessment model is based a Dutch study that is published by T.J. Hagenaars et al on June 30, 2023: “Preventief ruimen bij vogelgriep in pluimveedichte gebieden en mogelijkheden voor aanvullende bemonstering” (Preventive culling in areas densely populated with poultry, and possibilities for additional sampling).
According to this premise, instead of the standard depopulation approach of euthanizing pigs on-site, pigs beyond the immediate vicinity of infected farms are slaughtered.
Animal Health Canada is currently evaluating new strategies and technologies for managing large-scale emergency situations involving pigs. I have been actively involved in developing strategies and procedures aimed at implementing strict control measures for pig euthanasia during emergencies, with a focus on substantially reducing costs by avoiding unnecessary culling and destruction of healthy animals.
Opting for slaughtering over on-farm euthanasia not only reduces the operational burden on farms but also repurposes the pigs as a valuable protein source rather than considering them as animal waste. This approach assists in crisis management during widespread outbreaks, significantly reduces expenses, and simultaneously mitigates risks.
While this approach is influenced by the new EU regulations implemented since May 2022, it can be adapted for implementation within the context of any EU Member state, as well as in the USA and Canada.
More Related Content
Similar to OIE terrestrial code killing of animals for disease prevention
• The Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA) is a statutory Committee of Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D) constituted under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
• CPCSEA is duty bound to take all such measures as may be necessary to ensure that animals are not subjected to unnecessary pain or suffering before, during or after performance of experiments on them.
INTRODUCTION
• For this purpose, the Committee formulated the Breeding of and Experiments on Animals (Control & Supervision) Rules, 1998 (amended in 2001 & 2006) to regulate the experimentation on animals.
• Under the provisions of the above rules, establishments who are engaged in Bio-medical research, breeding and trading of laboratory animals are required to get themselves registered with CPCSEA.
• There are 19 members in the present CPCSEA wherein Dr. O. P. Chaudhary, Joint Secretary (Animal Welfare) is the Chairman of CPCSEA and Dr. S. K. Dutta, Joint Commissioner (Animal Welfare) is the Member Secretary of CPCSEA.
Need of cpcsea
FUNCTIONS
Institutional Animals Ethics Committee (IAEC)
(a) Every experiment shall be performed by or under the supervision of a person duly qualified.
(b) That experiments are performed with due care and humanity and as far as possible experiments involving operations are performed under the influence of some anaesthetic of sufficient power to prevent the animals from feeling pain;
(c) That animals who, in the course of experiments under the influence of anaesthetics, are so injured that their recovery would involve serious suffering, are ordinarily medically allowed to death while still under influence of anaesthetic;
(d) That experiments on animals are avoided wherever it is possible to do so.
(e) That experiments on larger animals are avoided when it is possible to achieve the same results by experiments on small laboratory animals like guinea-pigs, rabbits, mice, rats etc;
(f) That, as far as possible, experiments are not performed merely for the purpose of acquiring manual skill;
(g) That animals intended for the performance of experiments are properly looked after before, during and after experiments;
(h) That suitable records are maintained with respect to experiments performed on animals
Members of iaec
• A. IAEC members from the establishment (05 members):
• i. One biological scientist
• ii. Two scientists from different biological disciplines
• iii. One veterinarian involved in the care of animal
• iv. One scientist in charge of animal facility of the establishment concerned
• B. Nominees from the CPCSEA:
• i. Main Nominee (01)
• ii. Link Nominee *
• iii. Scientist from outside the Institute (01)
• iv. Socially Aware Nominee (01)
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC)
• Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC) is to be constituted in all centers engaged in genetic engineering researc
Animal Testing: Rationale for conducting studies, CPCSEA Guidelines
The use of animals in research is currently an essential component of the drug discovery process.
Animals help us advance our scientific understanding, serve as models to study disease, help us develop and test potential new medicines and therapies.
Animal testing has benefited researchers in understanding how to treat and prevent various conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, tuberculosis, polio, muscular dystrophy, and Parkinson's disease.
Education:
Undergraduate teaching to demonstrate effects of various drugs although this has been phased out in most institutes.
Postgraduate teaching to demonstrate the effects of various drugs, to determine the nature of an unknown drug for bioassay, screening methods and to learn skills e.g. administering drugs.
Research:
A larger number and a greater variety of animals are used in pure research than in applied research. This usually involves studies on embryogenesis, developmental biology, behaviour and breeding in Fruit flies, nematodes, mice and rats.
INTRODUCTION
The motto of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act 1960 as amended in 1982 is to prevent infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals.
The Central Government has constituted a Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA), which is duty bound to take all such measures as may be necessary to ensure that animals are not subjected to unnecessary pain or suffering before, during or after the performance of experiments on them.
The goal of these guidelines is to promote the human care of animal used in biomedical and behavioural research and testing.
To avoid/minimize pain and suffering inflicted on experimental animals
Inspection of animal house facilities
It provides guidelines for -
Proper care, housing, breeding, maintenance, handling and use of experimental animals.
Source of experimental animals
Acceptable experimental procedures for anaesthesia and euthanasia.
Registration of establishments conducting animal experimentation or breeding of animals for this purpose.
Selection and assignment of nominees for the Institutional Animal Ethics Committees (IAEC) of the registered establishments.
Approval of Animal House Facilities on the basis of reports of inspections conducted by CPCSEA.
Permission for conducting experiments involving use of animals.
Recommendation for import of animals for use in experiments.
Action against establishments in case of established violation of any legal norm/stipulation.
Conduct of Training Programmes for the Nominees of CPCSEA.
Conduct/Support of Conference/Workshop on Animal Ethics.
To assure quality maintenance and safety of animals used in laboratory studies while conducting biomedical and behavioural research and testing of products.
Quarantine
2. Personal hygiene
3. Environment
4. Physical facility
5. Animal husbandry
6. Animal disposal
7. Documentation
Prevention of cruelty to animals act,1960P.N.DESHMUKH
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act-1960 includes Objectives,
Definitions, CPCSEA - brief overview, Institutional Animal
Ethics Committee, Breeding and Stocking of Animals,
Performance of Experiments, Transfer and Acquisition of
animals for experiment, Records, Power to suspend or
revoke registration, Offences and Penalties.
Similar to OIE terrestrial code killing of animals for disease prevention (20)
Low Atmospheric Pressure Stunning is not a humane alternative to Carbon Dioxi...Harm Kiezebrink
I would like express gratitude to the HSA for their 20 years of tireless advocacy for improving pigs' welfare. Their efforts have empowered those seeking alternatives to carbon dioxide stunning. Over nearly 30 years, I've worked on animal welfare friendly stunning applications, particularly regarding stunning/slaughtering using nitrogen foam, and I believe I've found the definitive answer.
The industry originally adopted large-scale carbon dioxide stunning to optimize food production, reduce costs, and lower meat prices, which is only feasible with parallel processing (simultaneously stunning groups of pigs) rather than serial processing (stunning each pig individually). Electrocution is not viable for large-scale operations due to this need for parallel processing. Therefore, a replacement gas that lacks carbon dioxide's detrimental properties is needed, but only a few gases are suitable.
Additionally, the application of an alternative gas must adhere to several fundamental principles:
a) Applicability of the methods for stunning and killing pigs, including their scalability for large-scale application.
b) Description of the technical.
c) Animal welfare consequences associated with specific techniques, including welfare hazards (ABMs), animal-based indicators (ABIs), preventive and corrective measures, and the sufficiency of scientific literature in describing these consequences.
d) Applicability under field conditions.
Introducing a novel application for large-scale pig slaughter is complex and time-consuming before it can be expected, especially given the substantial economic and financial impact for the industry. However, there is hope on the horizon.
The alternative gas is nitrogen, and the application is based on using high-expansion foam filled with 100% nitrogen, applied in a closed container. Within a minute, all air is displaced by the foam, after which the container is sealed, and the foam is broken down with a powerful nitrogen pulse. This ensures that the foam does not affect the stunning process; the entire process can be visually and electronically monitored, and the residual oxygen level in the container is consistently below 2%. The container dimensions are identical to the gondolas used in the globally implemented carbon dioxide gondola system.
The integration of nitrogen foam technology into European regulation EU1099/2009 is nearing completion. All scientific and technical procedures have been submitted to the EU Commission, with finalization awaiting the presentation of EFSA's scientific opinion to the Commission and subsequent approval for inclusion. This final phase is anticipated to occur during the general meeting slated for June 2024.
This marks the first step toward replacing carbon dioxide in 25 years. Fingers crossed for the EU Commission's decision in June 2024!
Harm Kiezebrink
Independent Expert
Preventief ruimen bij vogelgriep in pluimveedichte gebieden en mogelijkheden ...Harm Kiezebrink
New Risk assessment model
The applications designed for farrow-to-weaner pig farms rely on a novel risk assessment model. This model, developed from a recent study, indicates that the likelihood of an undetected infection on nearby farms notably diminishes 7 to 14 days following the identification of the source farm.
This risk assessment model is based a Dutch study that is published by T.J. Hagenaars et al on June 30, 2023: “Preventief ruimen bij vogelgriep in pluimveedichte gebieden en mogelijkheden voor aanvullende bemonstering” (Preventive culling in areas densely populated with poultry, and possibilities for additional sampling).
According to this premise, instead of the standard depopulation approach of euthanizing pigs on-site, pigs beyond the immediate vicinity of infected farms are slaughtered.
Animal Health Canada is currently evaluating new strategies and technologies for managing large-scale emergency situations involving pigs. I have been actively involved in developing strategies and procedures aimed at implementing strict control measures for pig euthanasia during emergencies, with a focus on substantially reducing costs by avoiding unnecessary culling and destruction of healthy animals.
Opting for slaughtering over on-farm euthanasia not only reduces the operational burden on farms but also repurposes the pigs as a valuable protein source rather than considering them as animal waste. This approach assists in crisis management during widespread outbreaks, significantly reduces expenses, and simultaneously mitigates risks.
While this approach is influenced by the new EU regulations implemented since May 2022, it can be adapted for implementation within the context of any EU Member state, as well as in the USA and Canada.
Managing large-scale outbreaks at Farrow-to-Weaner FarmsHarm Kiezebrink
In the face of large-scale outbreaks of swine Influenza A Virus (swIAV), there's a call for exploring various strategies conducive to managing emergencies in field conditions.
Through subdivision, a customized approach can be embraced to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness while mitigating the impact on individual farms. This tactic maximizes emergency deployment capacity and streamlines standard procedures. Moreover, leveraging the existing capacity of farming aids in alleviating scrutiny on animal welfare standards, presenting a notable advantage.
Nitrogen filled high expansion foam in open ContainersHarm Kiezebrink
On March 31, 2023 the US National Pork Board validated a study by Todd Williams, of Pipestone Veterinary Services, based on the use of high expansion nitrogen foam for the large-scale depopulation of all classes of swine, utilizing Livetec Systems Nitrogen Foam Delivery System (NFDS).
The high expansion foam produced by the Livetec Systems NFDS surrounds the animal in large bubbles filled with nitrogen with a base expansion ration of between 300 and 350 to 1, as mentioned on the information provided by the producer of the firefighting foam.
The Livetec technology, based on using Compressed Air Foam (CAF) filled with nitrogen instead of air for depopulating pigs, emerges within a critical landscape. The complexities of implementing effective emergency depopulation strategies for livestock, particularly swine, present multifaceted challenges. Livetec's approach relies on high expansion firefighting foam, aiming to euthanize pigs by submerging them in foam.
The Livetec system's claims about the effectiveness of nitrogen-filled high expansion foam for depopulating market pigs lack substantial evidence upon analysis. The discrepancy between the actual foam produced during field trials and the promised high expansion foam, coupled with the absence of concrete proof supporting the method's efficacy, discredits the technology's claims.
World bank evaluating the economic consequences of avian influenzaHarm Kiezebrink
Pandemics cause very serious loss of life, restrictions of freedom and serious economic damage. Potential pandemics all are related to our dealing with animals, both wild and domesticated.
In this Word Bank study of 2006, the effects of a severe HPAI pandemic (with a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus crossing the species barrier and infecting humans) predicted economic losses from 2-10% of the world economy.
The economic impact of the present COVID-19 crisis, caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus spreading from wild animals to humans, probably will reach the upper limits of this prediction even if the losses of life might be near the lower limits mentioned in the report (1,4 millions rather than 71 millions).
A common observation is that governments were late to react on the COVID-19 outbreak.
Pandemics are rare, so due to cost-benefit considerations emergency preparations do usually not get beyond an advisory (paperwork) phase. When an emergency eventually arises, the response is too late, too little, and with disastrous effects on animal and/or human welfare that could have been avoided. Relatively small, short-term financial savings result in big, long-term losses.
Protection against outbreaks cannot be achieved by political decisions during a crisis. Our dealing with animals, especially in animal production, must be inherently safe so that animal health and public health are protected.
This is recognized in the One Health strategy that has been adopted internationally.
An outbreak of animal disease occurs should be contained at a very early stage. This can only be realized if all farms have their own emergency plans, with equipment to deal with contagious diseases already present at the farm.
Gas alternatives to carbon dioxide for euthanasia a piglet perspectiveHarm Kiezebrink
The use of nitrous oxide as an anesthetic/euthanasia agent may prove to be affordable, feasible and more humane than other alternatives.
The neonatal stage is a critical time in the life of a pig, when they are prone to become sick or weak. This is the stage at which most euthanasia procedures are required if the pig is judged unable to recover. Any euthanasia method should be humane, practical, economical and socially acceptable to be universally accepted.
They found that nitrous oxide in oxygen appeared to be less aversive than nitrous oxide, nitrogen, or argon all combined with low (30%) concentrations of carbon dioxide or 90% carbon dioxide by itself.
This study is the first to investigate the use of nitrous oxide at sufficiently high concentrations to cause anesthesia. Nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as laughing gas, has been widely used in human surgery and dental offices for its pain-relieving, sedative and anxiolytic effects. It is cheap, non-flammable, non-explosive, legally accessible and not classified as a drug in the U.S., and already commonly used in the food industry as a propellant for food products.
Development of its use into an automated procedure will allow producers to implement it with little effort. Thus its use as an anesthetic/euthanasia agent may prove to be affordable, feasible and more humane than other alternatives.
Anoxia: High expansion foam
The Anoxia method is unique for creating an environment without oxygen under atmospheric circumstances. High expansion foam is produced by mixing nitrogen and a mixture of water and specially developed high expansion detergent, with an expansion rate upto 1:1000, meaning that 1 litre of water/foam agent mix expands up to 1 m3 foam. Due to the specially designed foam generator, the high expansion foam bubbles are filled with a > 99% concentration of nitrogen. The oxygen level surrounding the animal drops from 21% in atmospheric air to < 1 % once the animal is submerged in the foam.
Anoxia: convulsions, but no stress or pain
The animals need a constant supply of oxygen to the brain. Applying Anoxia foam, the oxygen is replaced by nitrogen. As a result the nitrogen level is raised to > 99% and the oxygen level is lowered to < 1%. Considering the natural reaction to sudden lack of oxygen the animal is rendering quickly into unconsciousness. As a consequence, behavioral indicators like loss of posture and convulsions will appear. With this in mind, unconscious animals are insensitive to perceive unpleasant sensations like pain.
Anoxia: How Anoxia foam is created
A mixture of 97% water and 3% high expansion foam agent is sprayed into the Anoxia foam generator, creating a thin film on the outlet of the generator. At the same time, nitrogen is added with overpressure into the foam generator. The nitrogen expands when it exits the generator, creating robust high expansion foam. The high expansion foam bubbles are filled with > 99% nitrogen.
Anoxia: Single foam generator systems
In practice, one Anoxia foam generator creates a volume of up to 750 liter of high expansion foam per minute. This volume is more than sufficient to fill a wheelie-bin container within 30 seconds. The most common container volumes are: M size - 240 liter; L size - 340 liter; and XL size - 370 liter. The choice of the volume of the container depends of the size of the animal and/or the number of animals that need to be stunned/killed. A lid with a chiffon that seals the container. As soon as the foam exits the chiffon, the gas supply is stopped and the chiffon is closed. The nitrogen gas concentration in the container remains at 99%.
Although commonly used in other settings, defining animal welfare as part of a corporate CSR setting is not new.
There are many ways to define CSR. What they have in common is that CSR describes how companies manage their business processes to produce an overall positive impact on society. The phenomenon CSR is a value concept that is susceptible to particular ideological and emotional interpretations. Different organizations have framed different definitions - although there is considerable common ground between them.
Some important national players of the food chain at different steps (mainly food retailers and food services) have included animal welfare in their CSR.
The Anoxia technique is developed as alternative for existing animal stunning methods that are based on the use of CO2, electrocution, neck dislocation, captive-bolt, as well as killing methods like de-bleeding and maceration.
In the past 10 years, Wageningen University and University of Glasgow conducted several studies that proved that the technique could be applied successfully for culling poultry (Proof of Principle Anoxia Technique). This was the start of the development of several applications based on the Anoxia principle, using high expansion foam filled with >99% Nitrogen that are now introduced for:
1. Stunning and killing of sick and cripple killing piglets less than 5 kg
2. Stunning and killing of sick or cripple poultry (especially poultry > 3kg) who need to be killed on the farm by the staff for welfare purposes (avoiding unnecessary stress or pain)
3. Stunning and killing poultry that arrives on the slaughterhouse but that are unfit to be slaughtered (due to injuries occurred during transportation – providing signs of possible illness etc.)
4. Stunning and killing of male pullets at the hatchery
5. Stunning and killing of half-hatched chickens and embryos in partly-hatched eggs, before destruction
6. Stunning and killing parent stock poultry
7. Killing of animals that has been stunned (captive bolt – blow-on-the-head method, etc.) replacing killing by de-bleeding
8. Culling of ex-layers
9. Culling of poultry for disease control purposes
Last November we started the launch of the commercialization of the Anoxia applications in Holland, Germany and Sweden, focusing on the areas where a solution is most needed: piglets (< 5kg) and poultry (> 3kg) on farms.
Since November 2016, the introduction of these applications took place in Holland, Germany, Sweden and Denmark
World Health Organization director- general Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun warns bird flu H7N9 is particularly worrying as it could be a flu pandemic strain. This is because H7N9 is unique as it does not make chickens sick but is deadly in humans. Sick birds could usually provide early warning for imminent outbreaks, Chan told The Standard. This comes as Macau reported its first human case of H7N9 yesterday. "The biggest challenge for the world is the next influenza pandemic," Chan said.
Laves presentation practical experiences in the culling of poultry in germanyHarm Kiezebrink
This presentation, based on the practical experiences in culling poultry in Germany, gives an overview of the culling techniques currently in use in Germany. It is presented by dr. Ursula Gerdes, dr. Josef Diekmann and ing. Rainer Thomes.
LAVES is the Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety, located in Oldenburg, Germany. With around 900 employees they are entrusted with tasks in the areas of food and utensil inspection, feed inspection, meat hygiene, veterinary drug monitoring, eradication of animal diseases, disposal of animal by-products, animal welfare, ecological farming, market surveillance and technical process monitoring.
Berg et al. 2014 killing of spent laying hens using co2 in poultry barnsHarm Kiezebrink
September 2015: In Sweden, spent laying hens are killed either by traditional slaughter; on-farm with CO2 in a mobile container combined with a grinder; or with CO2 stable gassing inside the barn. The number of hens killed using the latter method has increased. During these killings a veterinarian is required to be present and report to the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
Data were registered during four commercial killings and extracted from all official veterinary reports at CO2 whole-house killings in 2008–2010. On-farm monitoring showed that temperature decreased greatly and with high variability. The time until birds became unconscious after coming into contact with the gas, based on time until loss of balance, was 3–5 min.
Veterinary reports show that 1.5 million laying hens were killed, in 150 separate instances. The most common non-compliance with legislation was failure to notify the regional animal welfare authorities prior to the killings. Six out of 150 killings were defined as animal welfare failures, eg delivery of insufficient CO2 or failure to seal buildings to achieve adequate gas concentration.
Eleven were either potentially or completely unacceptable from the perspective of animal welfare. We conclude that, on the whole, the CO2 whole-house gas killing of spent hens was carried out in accordance with the appropriate legislation. Death was achieved reliably.
However, there remain several risks to animal welfare and increased knowledge would appear vital in order to limit mistakes related to miscalculations of house volume, improper sealing or premature ventilation turn-off.
The latest outbreak of High Pathogen Avian Influenza in the USA and Canada in the spring of this year and the inability to avoid animal welfare catastrophes ultimately proves that new emergency response strategies are needed. Strategies that are based on taking away the source of infection instead of killing as many animals as possible within 24 hours, regardless the consequences.
The statement that “It’s possible that human infections with these viruses may occur” and that “these viruses have not spread easily to other people” is confusing. Humans can become infected without showing clinical signs. They can become the major carrier of the infection.
Especially during depopulation activities, viruses easily transmit through responders. Tasks like taking layers out of their cages and transport the birds manually through the narrow walkways between the cages, and disposal of infected animals are specific risks that need to be avoided. Simply switching of the electricity so that sick birds don’t have to be handled is not the solution.
Although humans are supposed to be less susceptible, they can become carrier of the virus. Only the highest level of biosecurity could prevent the transmission through the humans and materials that have been in direct contact with infected animals and materials.
Simply switching of the electricity so that sick birds don’t have to be handled is not the solution. Avoid killing animals is always the better option and in Germany, the discussion on the strategy based on neutralizing risks and is in the making. Avoiding situations demands a proactive role of the poultry industry.
Ventilation Shutdown: who takes the responsibility to flip the switch?Harm Kiezebrink
On September 18, 2015 the USA Government and the American egg producers announced that they would accept the Ventilation shutdown method as a method of mass destruction of poultry when other options, notably water-based foam and CO2, are not available for culling at the farm within 24-36 hours. This is actually the case on all caged layer farms in the USA, in particular in Iowa.
The Ventilation shutdown method consists of stopping ventilation, cutting off drinking water supply, and turning on heaters to raise the temperature in the poultry house to a level between 38 Celsius and 50 Celsius. Birds die of heat stress and by lack of oxygen in a process that easily takes over after a period of at least 3 days. Ventilation shutdown is a killing method without prior stunning of the birds, and as such is contrary to all international Animal Welfare standards.
Animal welfare specialists in disease control strongly oppose this introduction of the cruelest method of killing poultry that lost their economic value. The Humane Society (HSUS) described it as the “inhumane mass baking of live chickens”. With adequate preparation the alternative methods, like the water-based Anoxia foam method, can be available at each farm for immediate use in case of an outbreak. The ban of the Ventilation shutdown method should therefore be maintained and the Anoxia method should be further developed so that is suitable for application to caged layers and turkeys. In Germany, such a system is currently under development and will become commercially available soon.
The poultry industry in the USA ignores this development and asks for a formal approval of the Ventilation Shutdown method. Speaking on August 19, 2015, during the United Egg Producers (UEP) national briefing webinar, UEP President Chad Gregory explained that much research is being done concerning the feasibility of such a depopulation program.
“The government, the producers, the states and UEP, we all recognize that depopulation is going to have to happen faster and ideally within 24 hours.”
Quick depopulation of affected flocks is important, Gregory said, because the sooner a flock is depopulated, the risk of the virus going into fans and out into the atmosphere becomes smaller. Gregory said ventilation shutdown – if approved – would probably only be used in a worst-case scenario or when all other euthanasia options have been exhausted. Gregory did not elaborate on how to adequately prevent outbreaks and how to promote more animal-friendly methods.
In order to become one step ahead of an outbreak of high pathogen diseases like the current H5N2, the veterinary authorities need to stop the outbreak immediately after the first signals occur. Strict and thorough biosecurity measures are the most fundamental feature to protect poultry flocks on farms.
Without functional culling techniques, the options to effectively and efficiently cull in average more than 925,000 chickens per farm (in Iowa, USA) are limited: either by macerating the chickens alive – or by ventilation shut-down (closing down all ventilation, placing heaters inside the house, and heat the entire house to a temperature higher than 600 C).
Although both methods cause death of the birds, it has not been proven to be effective nor efficient. The primary goal to slowdown outbreaks and bring it to a complete stop but macerating live birds and killing them by heat stress and lack of oxygen would be against all International Animal Welfare standards.
Animal welfare specialists in disease control strongly oppose against the introduction of these most cruel methods of killing poultry and argue that the ban on these methods should be maintained and alternative methods need to be considered.
FLI Seminar on different response strategies: Stamping out or NeutralizationHarm Kiezebrink
During this spring, American poultry producers are losing birds by the millions, due to the High Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreaks on factory farms. USDA APHIS applied the stamping out strategy in an attempt to prevent the flu from spreading.
With stamping out as the highest priority of the response strategy, large numbers of responders are involved. With in average almost 1 million caged layers per farm in Iowa, there is hardly any room for a proper bio security training for these responders. And existing culling techniques had insufficient capacity, the authorities had to decide to apply drastic techniques like macerating live birds in order to take away the source of virus reproduction.
This strategy didn't work; on the contrary. Instead of slowing down the spreading of the virus, the outbreaks continue to reoccur and have caused death and destruction in 15 USA states, killing almost 50 million birds on mote than 220infected commercial poultry farms, all within a very small time frame.
The question is whether the priority of the response strategy should be on neutralizing the transmission routes instead of on stamping out infections after they occur. All indicators currently point out into the direction that the industry should prioritize on environmental drivers: the connection between outbreaks and wild ducks; wind-mediated transmission; pre-contact probability; on-farm bio security; transmission via rodents etc.
Once the contribution of each transmission route has been determined, a revolutionary new response strategy can be developed based on the principle of neutralizing transmission routes. Neutralizing risks means that fully new techniques need to be developed, based on culling the animals without human – to – animal contact; integrating detergent application into the culling operations; combining culling & disposal into one activity.
This new response strategy will be the main subject of the FLI Animal Welfare and Disease Control Seminar, organized at September 23, 2015 in Celle, Germany
Spatial, temporal and genetic dynamics of H5N1 in chinaHarm Kiezebrink
The spatial spread of H5N1 avian influenza, significant ongoing mutations, and long-term persistence of the virus in some geographic regions has had an enormous impact on the poultry industry and presents a serious threat to human health.
This study revealed two different transmission modes of H5N1 viruses in China, and indicated a significant role of poultry in virus dissemination. Furthermore, selective pressure posed by vaccination was found in virus evolution in the country.
Phylogenetic analysis, geospatial techniques, and time series models were applied to investigate the spatiotemporal pattern of H5N1 outbreaks in China and the effect of vaccination on virus evolution.
Results showed obvious spatial and temporal clusters of H5N1 outbreaks on different scales, which may have been associated with poultry and wild-bird transmission modes of H5N1 viruses. Lead–lag relationships were found among poultry and wild-bird outbreaks and human cases. Human cases were preceded by poultry outbreaks, and wild-bird outbreaks were led by human cases.
Each clade has gained its own unique spatiotemporal and genetic dominance. Genetic diversity of the H5N1 virus decreased significantly between 1996 and 2011; presumably under strong selective pressure of vaccination. Mean evolutionary rates of H5N1 virus increased after vaccination was adopted in China.
Different environmental drivers of H5N1 outbreaks in poultry and wild birdsHarm Kiezebrink
Different environmental drivers operate on HPAI H5N1 outbreaks in poultry and wild birds in Europe. The probability of HPAI H5N1 outbreaks in poultry increases in areas with a higher human population density and a shorter distance to lakes or wetlands.
This reflects areas where the location of farms or trade areas and habitats for wild birds overlap. In wild birds, HPAI H5N1 outbreaks mostly occurred in areas with increased NDVI and lower elevations, which are typically areas where food and shelter for wild birds are available. The association with migratory flyways has also been found in the intra-continental spread of the low pathogenic avian influenza virus in North American wild birds. These different environmental drivers suggest that different spread mechanisms operate.
Disease might spread to poultry via both poultry and wild birds, through direct (via other birds) or indirect (e.g. via contaminated environment) infection. Outbreaks in wild birds are mainly caused by transmission via wild birds alone, through sharing foraging areas or shelters. These findings are in contrast with a previous study, which did not find environmental differences between disease outbreaks in poultry and wild birds in Europe.
H5N8 virus dutch outbreak (2014) linked to sequences of strains from asiaHarm Kiezebrink
Genetic analysis of influenza A(H5N8) virus from the Netherlands indicates that the virus probably was spread by migratory wild birds from Asia, possibly through overlapping flyways and common breeding sites in Siberia. In addition to the outbreak in the Netherlands, several other outbreaks of HPAI (H5N8) virus infections were reported in Europe at the end of 2014 after exponentially increasing deaths occurred in chicken and turkey flocks.
Genetic sequences submitted to the EpiFlu database indicated that the viruses from Europe showed a strong similarity to viruses isolated earlier in 2014 in South Korea, China, and Japan. An H5N8 virus isolated from a wigeon in Russia in September 2014 is located in the phylogenetic tree near the node of all sequences for H5N8 viruses from Europe.
In regard to time, this location fits the hypothesized route of H5N8 virus introduction into Europe. Furthermore, for several reasons, it is highly likely that the introduction of HPAI (H5N8) virus into the indoor-layer farm in the Netherlands occurred via indirect contact.
First, despite intensive monitoring, H5N8 viruses have never been detected in commercial poultry or wild birds in the Netherlands.
Second, when the virus was detected, the Netherlands had no direct trade contact with other European countries or Asia that might explain a route of introduction.
Third, because of the severity of disease in galliforms, outbreaks of H5N8 in the Netherlands before November 2014 would have been noticed.
Avian influenza virus-infected poultry can release a large amount of virus-contaminated droppings that serve as sources of infection for susceptible birds. Much research so far has focused on virus spread within flocks. However, as fecal material or manure is a major constituent of airborne poultry dust, virus-contaminated particulate matter from infected flocks may be dispersed into the environment.
This study, demonstrates the presence of airborne influenza virus RNA downwind from buildings holding LPAI-infected birds, and the observed correlation between field data on airborne poultry and livestock associated microbial exposure and the OPS-ST model. These findings suggest that geographical estimates of areas at high risk for human and animal exposure to airborne influenza virus can be modeled during an outbreak, although additional field measurements are needed to validate this proposition. In addition, the outdoor detection of influenza virus contaminated airborne dust during outbreaks in poultry suggests that practical measures can assist in the control of future influenza outbreaks.
In general, exposure to airborne influenza virus on commercial poultry farms could be reduced both by minimizing the initial generation of airborne particles and implementing methods for abatement of particles once generated. As an example, emergency mass culling of poultry using a foam blanket over the birds instead of labor-intensive whole-house gassing followed by ventilation reduces both exposure of cullers and dispersion of contaminated dust into the environment, contributing to the control of influenza outbreaks.
This session provides a comprehensive overview of the latest updates to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (commonly known as the Uniform Guidance) outlined in the 2 CFR 200.
With a focus on the 2024 revisions issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), participants will gain insight into the key changes affecting federal grant recipients. The session will delve into critical regulatory updates, providing attendees with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate and comply with the evolving landscape of federal grant management.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the rationale behind the 2024 updates to the Uniform Guidance outlined in 2 CFR 200, and their implications for federal grant recipients.
- Identify the key changes and revisions introduced by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the 2024 edition of 2 CFR 200.
- Gain proficiency in applying the updated regulations to ensure compliance with federal grant requirements and avoid potential audit findings.
- Develop strategies for effectively implementing the new guidelines within the grant management processes of their respective organizations, fostering efficiency and accountability in federal grant administration.
Russian anarchist and anti-war movement in the third year of full-scale warAntti Rautiainen
Anarchist group ANA Regensburg hosted my online-presentation on 16th of May 2024, in which I discussed tactics of anti-war activism in Russia, and reasons why the anti-war movement has not been able to make an impact to change the course of events yet. Cases of anarchists repressed for anti-war activities are presented, as well as strategies of support for political prisoners, and modest successes in supporting their struggles.
Thumbnail picture is by MediaZona, you may read their report on anti-war arson attacks in Russia here: https://en.zona.media/article/2022/10/13/burn-map
Links:
Autonomous Action
http://Avtonom.org
Anarchist Black Cross Moscow
http://Avtonom.org/abc
Solidarity Zone
https://t.me/solidarity_zone
Memorial
https://memopzk.org/, https://t.me/pzk_memorial
OVD-Info
https://en.ovdinfo.org/antiwar-ovd-info-guide
RosUznik
https://rosuznik.org/
Uznik Online
http://uznikonline.tilda.ws/
Russian Reader
https://therussianreader.com/
ABC Irkutsk
https://abc38.noblogs.org/
Send mail to prisoners from abroad:
http://Prisonmail.online
YouTube: https://youtu.be/c5nSOdU48O8
Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/libertarianlifecoach/episodes/Russian-anarchist-and-anti-war-movement-in-the-third-year-of-full-scale-war-e2k8ai4
A process server is a authorized person for delivering legal documents, such as summons, complaints, subpoenas, and other court papers, to peoples involved in legal proceedings.
Up the Ratios Bylaws - a Comprehensive Process of Our Organizationuptheratios
Up the Ratios is a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging the gap in STEM education for underprivileged students by providing free, high-quality learning opportunities in robotics and other STEM fields. Our mission is to empower the next generation of innovators, thinkers, and problem-solvers by offering a range of educational programs that foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.
At Up the Ratios, we believe that every student, regardless of their socio-economic background, should have access to the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in today's technology-driven world. To achieve this, we host a variety of free classes, workshops, summer camps, and live lectures tailored to students from underserved communities. Our programs are designed to be engaging and hands-on, allowing students to explore the exciting world of robotics and STEM through practical, real-world applications.
Our free classes cover fundamental concepts in robotics, coding, and engineering, providing students with a strong foundation in these critical areas. Through our interactive workshops, students can dive deeper into specific topics, working on projects that challenge them to apply what they've learned and think creatively. Our summer camps offer an immersive experience where students can collaborate on larger projects, develop their teamwork skills, and gain confidence in their abilities.
In addition to our local programs, Up the Ratios is committed to making a global impact. We take donations of new and gently used robotics parts, which we then distribute to students and educational institutions in other countries. These donations help ensure that young learners worldwide have the resources they need to explore and excel in STEM fields. By supporting education in this way, we aim to nurture a global community of future leaders and innovators.
Our live lectures feature guest speakers from various STEM disciplines, including engineers, scientists, and industry professionals who share their knowledge and experiences with our students. These lectures provide valuable insights into potential career paths and inspire students to pursue their passions in STEM.
Up the Ratios relies on the generosity of donors and volunteers to continue our work. Contributions of time, expertise, and financial support are crucial to sustaining our programs and expanding our reach. Whether you're an individual passionate about education, a professional in the STEM field, or a company looking to give back to the community, there are many ways to get involved and make a difference.
We are proud of the positive impact we've had on the lives of countless students, many of whom have gone on to pursue higher education and careers in STEM. By providing these young minds with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed, we are not only changing their futures but also contributing to the advancement of technology and innovation on a broader scale.
ZGB - The Role of Generative AI in Government transformation.pdfSaeed Al Dhaheri
This keynote was presented during the the 7th edition of the UAE Hackathon 2024. It highlights the role of AI and Generative AI in addressing government transformation to achieve zero government bureaucracy
Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
Recordings are on YouTube and the company website.
https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferschaus/videos
Many ways to support street children.pptxSERUDS INDIA
By raising awareness, providing support, advocating for change, and offering assistance to children in need, individuals can play a crucial role in improving the lives of street children and helping them realize their full potential
Donate Us
https://serudsindia.org/how-individuals-can-support-street-children-in-india/
#donatefororphan, #donateforhomelesschildren, #childeducation, #ngochildeducation, #donateforeducation, #donationforchildeducation, #sponsorforpoorchild, #sponsororphanage #sponsororphanchild, #donation, #education, #charity, #educationforchild, #seruds, #kurnool, #joyhome
Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
Recordings are on YouTube and the company website.
https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferschaus/videos
Presentation by Jared Jageler, David Adler, Noelia Duchovny, and Evan Herrnstadt, analysts in CBO’s Microeconomic Studies and Health Analysis Divisions, at the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists Summer Conference.