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BFC training, table tops and simulation programs
Outbreak response management involves a variety of activities, including strategical and tactical planning, biosecurity, surveillance, epidemiology, containment, culling, cleaning, disinfection, communication, and in some cases vaccination. However, successful implementation of outbreak response management requires proper training of responders and including table top- and field simulations. The comprehensive BFC training and simulation activities cover all aspects of the response management, based on BFC standard operational guidelines and procedures (G&P’s), tailored to local circumstances.
The BFC training and simulation programs are kept simple, practical and using easy-to-understand language. They are based upon local conditions including types of poultry farms, poultry production and marketing systems, level of biosecurity and management, regulations, resources, geography, cultural practices and economics.
How do we work?
The first step in developing a training or simulation program is to define the list of set of G&P’s that are required based on the National AI Response Plan, a survey of local conditions concerning poultry production and an evaluation of the needs of the target audience. The client assists in choice of G&P's, a list of currently available BFC standard G&P’s are listed on this website.
Based on the results of this evaluation and discussions with the client, we determine an appropriate outline for the training syllabus or simulation exercise. This outline contains an introductory part covering the training goals and objectives, followed by the general outline, structure and specific characteristics of the exercise.
After approval of the list of G&P and the training outline, BFC will prepare a complete draft of the training or simulation, including the educational objectives, a summary of the topics covered, proposed lecture slide presentation, a budget and time line, a conclusion and acknowledgment section, and a program evaluation. The latter is used for feedback and program improvement purposes.
We
can organize the training location and logistics for you, or it can be
arranged at a location or your choice.
Program suggestions
To
give you an idea of what kind of BFC training and simulations we can
develop, we suggest the following:
Training on sample collection, handling, laboratory analysis, and shipping.
Personnel from poultry companies, state, and federal agencies must be trained on disease recognition, reporting, and proper methods of sample collection. This should include what samples to collect, how to collect them and how to transport them to a diagnostic laboratory.
Field personnel should know that Al virus replicates in the respiratory and intestinal tracts. Therefore, they must properly collect tracheal or cloacal swabs from live or recently dead birds. These samples must be shipped or transported to the national/ international reference laboratory where a real-time reverse transcriptase—polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) test will be performed.
This program will therefore focus on the detailed protocols for the collection of tracheal and cloacal swabs, on proper collection of blood samples for serologic testing (using educational materials showing detailed step-by-step procedures) and on shipment of samples according to international standards for shipment of hazardous materials (IATA protocols).
Emergency Preparedness and Response Training
Emergency
responders must be trained on the principles of their own National
Avian Influenza Response Plan and a National Outbreak Response
Management System (similar to existing National Emergency Response
Management Systems).
The BFC guidelines and procedures are designed for use at any of three levels of response commensurate with the severity of the outbreak:
A local (limited) response—this level of response is managed by local, State, Federal, and industry officials, with response coordination provided primarily at the State and regional levels and with national-level consultation and consequence management (e.g., trade issues)
A regional response—a regional response is managed by local, State, Federal, and industry officials, and in some cases includes the involvement of the appropriate State emergency management agency as specified in State animal health emergency response plans)
A national response—this level of response requires the combined efforts of local, state, industry, and federal agricultural officials as well as non-agricultural government personnel (e.g., the Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the private sector in national-level crisis management, response coordination, consultation, and consequence management.
The BFC Emergency response programs may vary, depending on the program needs, local regulations, cultural practices, and available resources of individual nations.
Depopulation
This
program will focus on depopulation strategies and tactics, lessons
learned, presentation of methods, technologies, and demonstration (if
possible) of humane methods of depopulation.
Under a stamping-out policy, poultry on infected premises are
destroyed. Infected poultry should be culled as quickly as possible and
preferably within 48 hours of detecting infection to prevent further
spread of the virus.
In this program we will focus on available all aspects of a
depopulation operation.
For
more information, look at the depopulation descriptions in the
G&P section of this website.
Carcass Disposal
This
program will focus on bio-secure and environmentally acceptable methods
of disposal of carcasses, eggs, disposables, contaminated equipment and
materials, litter and manure. The methods we will present in this
program must prevent spread of infection, must have minimal impact on
the local environment, and must be acceptable to environmental
protection agencies.
The program will focus on the evaluation of disposal sites and the
selection of optimal disposal procedures.
For more information, look at the carcass disposal descriptions in the G&P section of this website.
Cleaning and Disinfection
This
program focuses on proper cleaning and disinfection procedures.
Cleaning and disinfection are critical in the prevention of the spread
of disease through movement of material and equipment that have been in
contact with live animals, animal products, or areas. The
program emphasizes the importance of cleaning (scraping and carting
away faeces, litter, feed, and other organic material) followed by
preliminary disinfection (e.g., by spraying an appropriate liquid
disinfectant) followed by more thorough cleaning and a second round of
disinfection.
The program also includes details on the removal of dead birds or
carcasses remaining from depopulation; soaking everything with
disinfectant, cleaning of equipment; high-pressure washing of houses,
thorough disinfection of houses, vehicles, and equipment and insect and
rodent control.
For
more information, look at the cleaning and disinfection descriptions in
the G&P section of this website.
Vaccination
This program focuses on vaccination strategies and lessons learned. Strategic use of vaccination in conjunction with other control measures has been effective in controlling or eliminating Al viruses. Vaccination can be used either as a tool to support eradication or as a tool to manage the disease and reduce the viral load in the environment.
This program is specifically targeted to veterinarians, technicians, and assistants who need to be trained in vaccination procedures, personal protection, storage and delivery of vaccine and detailed record keeping (number and species vaccinated, location, date, identification numbers of sentinel birds, etc.).
For
more information, look at the vaccination in the G&P section of
this website.
Biosecurity Training
An educational program on biosecurity must first focus on the farmer or producer who is undoubtedly the first responder in any disease outbreak. Training growers or producers to implement strict biosecurity measures at all times is a critical step toward Al prevention and control.
There are two approaches that BFC has prepared for this type of training. First is training-of-trainers for veterinarians, veterinary technicians and extension personnel who work with large, small and household poultry farmers. The second is targeted at the poultry farmers themselves. In each case a combination of lectures, group discussions, demonstrations and on-site biosecurity evaluations can be conducted.
For more information, look at Biosecurity in the G&P section of this website.