How Bacteriophage Solutions Revolutionise Poultry Farming

Given the high prevalence of disease in poultry due to intensive farming, innovative solutions such as bacteriophages are the need of the hour.

In 2018, the Indian poultry market was valued at Rs 1,750 billion and it is expected to reach Rs 4,340 billion by 2024. Notable for its production of eggs, meat and employing rural people, poultry farming in India is growing every year. However, with tremendous growth, the rate of infectious disease outbreaks in poultry farms has also risen across different regions. To counter this challenge, biosecurity on poultry farms has received increased interest, especially over the past few decades.

What is Biosecurity?

Biosecurity refers to the procedures or methods used to prevent the introduction and spread of disease-causing organisms in poultry farms. Infectious agents like parasites, fungi, protozoa, viruses and bacteria are a serious threat to poultry health, which in turn leads to morbidity and mortality. Biosecurity aims to overcome the indirect and direct threat of diseases to poultry, through effective control measures like cleaning, disinfection, traffic control and segregation. Its main objectives are:

● Keep out highly contagious diseases like Newcastle Disease (ND), Infectious Bronchitis (IB), and Infectious bursal disease (IBD) (Gumboro disease)

● Reduce pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli

● Control vector habitat and attractants

● Sanitisation of equipment and supplies

● Improve the health of the flock

● Reduce mortality losses

● Increase profitability

Causative factors