Efficacy of composting poultry mortality and farms wastes with mixed respiratory infection viruses H5N1 and H9N2 in Egypt

Ahmed, Zakia A.M. and Hussein, H. A. and Rohaim, M. A. and Abdel Rahman, H. A. (2013) Efficacy of composting poultry mortality and farms wastes with mixed respiratory infection viruses H5N1 and H9N2 in Egypt. Global Veterinaria, 11 (5). pp. 640-648. ISSN 1992-6197

Abstract

Proper hygienic disposing of dead poultry with respiratory infection and their wastes is imperative from socioeconomic concept. Composting is one of disposing methods and represents a major goal for control and combating this infection. Collected fresh dead birds as well their litter and wastes from broiler farms with high mortalities associated mixed respiratory symptoms were subjected to composting process. The avian influenza viruses (H5N1 & H9N2) were isolated and characterized phenotypically and genotypically from trachea prior subjecting to composting. Compost mix was kept in environmentally controlled composter from 1-28 days (end experiment). Monitoring thermal profile of the composting process was recorded. Failure of re-isolation and characterization of AIV (H5N1 & H9N2) in current work on days 15th confirmed the efficacy of composting poultry farms mortality and wastes with special concern to the current isolated classical AIV H5N1 and H9N2. Secured Composting potentiated microclimatic determinants for both virus strains (heat and dryness) with failure of re- characterization from field dead birds and their wastes. Composting suggested being a reliable, environmentally safe way to dispose poultry mortality and wastes infected with mixed respiratory infection viruses H5N1 and H9N2.