Avian influenza outbreaks: evaluating the efficacy of cleaning and disinfection of vehicles and transport crates

Abstract

In 2021, France faced large avian influenza outbreaks, like in 2016 and 2017. Controlling these outbreaks required the preventive depopulation of a large number of duck farms. A previous study in 2017 showed that the quality of decontamination of trucks and transport crates used for depopulation was often insufficient. A new study was then set up to evaluate cleaning and disinfection ( C&D ) of trucks and crates used for duck depopulation and whether practices had changed since 2017. Three methods were used to assess decontamination: 1) detection of avian influenza virus ( AIV ) genome, 2) visual inspection of cleanliness, and 3) microbial counts, considering that 2 and 3 are commonly used in abattoirs. Another objective of the study was to evaluate the correlation between results obtained with the 3 methods. In 5 abattoirs, 8 trucks and their crates were sampled by swabbing to detect AIV genome by rRT-PCR before and after decontamination. Visual cleanliness scores and coliform counts were also determined on crates after C&D. Trucks and crates were decontaminated according to the abattoirs’ protocols. Before C&D, 3 quarters of crates (59/79) and 7 of 8 trucks were positive for AIV genome. C&D procedures were reinforced in 2021 compared to 2017; use of detergent solution and warm water were more common. Nevertheless, 28% of the crates were positive for AIV genome after C&D, despite the fact that cleaning scores and microbiological counts were satisfactory for 84% and 91% of the crates, respectively. No correlation was observed between results for AIV genome detection and results from visual control or from coliform counts. Abattoirs are encouraged to use environmental sampling coupled with AIV genome detection to monitor the quality of cleaning and disinfection of trucks and crates during AI outbreaks. Reinforcement of biosecurity measures at abattoirs is still needed to avoid residual contamination of the equipment and cross-contamination during the decontamination process.

Evaluation of chlorine dioxide in liquid state and in gaseous state as virucidal agent against avian influenza virus and infectious bronchitis virus

“…In addition, one study has shown that AIV was detected inside, outside of, and downwind from infected duck and chicken facilities in France [ 26 ]. To prevent the infections of IBV and AIV in poultry farms, it is important to treat the environment, such as surfaces and air, using proper disinfectants with adequate concentration and in an appropriate way to effectively reduce major or residual viral contamination [ 2 , 8 ].…”

Investigation of risk factors for introduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus onto table egg farms in the United States, 2022: a case–control study

“…Vehicle washing was moderately important as measured by both LOOCV and BMA. This finding of moderate importance may be an artifact of the limitations of a survey-based approach; effectiveness of cleaning can be difficult to measure based on visual inspection ( 49 ). Notably, multiple vehicle wash-related variables were univariately significant ( p ≤ 0.20), including washing of feed trucks, egg trucks, washing truck tires, and having a permanent vehicle washing station.…”

Transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) during animal transport

“…Decontamination of vehicles may be impaired by the presence of rough surfaces and hidden areas where organic material can build up (Baker et al., 2017 ). When vehicles are not properly cleaned and disinfected prior to loading of animals (Arthur et al., 2008 ; Weber and Meemken, 2018 ; Huneau‐Salaün et al., 2020 , 2022 ), exposure to ARB/ARGs in the following transport can occur. Within 2 h after experimental exposure to contaminated areas, Salmonella can be found in the caecal content of broilers or pigs (Rigby and Pettit, 1980 ; Boughton et al., 2007a ).…”

“…are better controlled. Decontamination can be improved by an additional disinfection stage after washing (Davies and Wray, 1994) and strict segregation of pre and post washing airspaces (Huneau-Sala € un et al, 2022). As with vehicles, Dzieciolowski et al ( 2022) reported that hot air drying of crates after washing and disinfection could improve reduction of Enterobacteriaceae from just over 2 logs to nearly 3.5 logs.…”