Composting for Avian Influenza Virus Elimination

Abstract

<jats:title>ABSTRACT</jats:title><jats:p>Effective sanitization is important in viral epizootic outbreaks to avoid further spread of the pathogen. This study examined thermal inactivation as a sanitizing treatment for manure inoculated with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H7N1 and bacteriophages MS2 and ϕ6. Rapid inactivation of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H7N1 was achieved at both mesophilic (35°C) and thermophilic (45 and 55°C) temperatures. Similar inactivation rates were observed for bacteriophage ϕ6, while bacteriophage MS2 proved too thermoresistant to be considered a valuable indicator organism for avian influenza virus during thermal treatments. Guidelines for treatment of litter in the event of emergency composting can be formulated based on the inactivation rates obtained in the study.</jats:p>

Spread of infectious microbes during emergency medical response

“…2,3,7,11,12 Coliphages, such as the one used in the current study (FX174), have long been used as a human virus surrogate in studies that examine the spread and inactivation of pathogens (eg, norovirus, poliovirus, influenza, rhinovirus) in laboratories, hospitals, day care facilities, and nursing homes. 8,[13][14][15][16][17] Although FX174 is physiologically very similar to human viruses, its environmental stability is comparable with both pathogenic viruses and some bacteria. However, as a surrogate it may underestimate the persistence of some bacteria.…”

A review of the animal disease outbreaks and biosecure animal mortality composting systems

“…Guan et al (2009) reported that compost temperatures of 40-50°C were sufficient to eliminate both avian influenza and Newcastle disease viruses in less than 3 days. Elving et al (2012) showed that HPAI viruses present in fresh poultry manure can be inactivated at mesophilic temperatures (35°C) within the first 24 h of composting. Results found by Vitosh-Sillman et al (2017) indicated that PEDV in pig mortalities can also be inactivated in the first day of composting at a temperature of 37°C.…”

“…Ideally, it is more practical to dispose of these materials with the mortalities and, as reported by Guan et al (2009), the presence of active microorganisms in these materials can be beneficial for the degradation process in composting systems. In terms of pathogen inactivation, a study conducted by Elving et al (2012) has shown that HPAI virus (H7N1) present in fresh poultry manure can be inactivated within the first 24 h of composting. This is a significant achievement since HPAI strain has been reported to survive more than a year in soil amended with manure (Elving et al, 2012).…”

“…In terms of pathogen inactivation, a study conducted by Elving et al (2012) has shown that HPAI virus (H7N1) present in fresh poultry manure can be inactivated within the first 24 h of composting. This is a significant achievement since HPAI strain has been reported to survive more than a year in soil amended with manure (Elving et al, 2012). In this study, which was performed using a laboratory-scale reactor, it was found that although the peak temperatures ranged from 42°C to 67°C, thermal inactivation of H7N1 can also happen at mesophilic temperatures (35°C).…”

Efficacy and efficiency of poultry carcass composting using different mechanical mixing equipment for avian influenza outbreaks

“…Another study in 2006 showed virus inactivation after 24 h at 25°C (77°F) in manure [19]. Temperatures achieved during active composting are more than sufficient to quickly inactivate the virus [20,21]. While temperature is crucial in killing of the virus, exposure to the compost ingredients is also important in fast neutralization [22,23].…”