PRACTICES OF BIOSECURITY MEASURES AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES ON POULTRY FARMS IN ABIDJAN DISTRICT

Abstract

In Côte d'Ivoire, poultry farming is an important source of income for many people. However, the industry faces many health constraints that cause enormous economic losses. Since implementation of biosecurity measures is known to reduce the risk of disease transmission, the aim of this study is to analyze the biosecurity measures applied in poultry farms in Abidjan district. Therefore, 91 farms were investigated using a face‐to‐face interview‐based questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of question sets related to production characteristics and the biosecurity components. The results revealed that the majority of farms were broilers chicken (69.65 %) and laying hens (28.35%). Regarding isolation of farms, 45% had no physical barriers around the farms and in 41% of the farms visited, the presence of other farm animals was observed. Concerning sanitation, the biosecurity level was low for 98.5% of farms with only one cleaning process of poultry houses between two flocks. However, using disinfectants is implemented in all visited farms. The most frequently symptoms observed are loss of appetite, weakness, weight loss, respiratory problems, coughing, fever, and diarrhea. But in 79 % of cases many animal deaths were due to diarrheal diseases. The majority of farmers (89 %) use as soon as the first symptoms appear, various antibiotics like macrolides, Beta-Lactamines, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, aminosides and polymycines. The low implementation level of biosecurity measures and overuse of antibiotics in poultry farms suggests that government officials should monitor the issues of biosecurity and the use of antibiotics in this sector very seriously.