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REASEARCH IS MOVING FORWARD IN THE CONTROL OF AVIAN INFLUENZA

After over 2 years of COVID 19 pandemic, Facco has taken a moment to think to the lesson we should learn from it attaining to our industry and to the diseases that most commonly threaten our health and business. We are constantly taking action in supporting the research of those committed to find adequate solutions.

Of course, there are some facts that should be taken more into consideration to better understand the context and our commitment as well:

-As infect established by the One Health Initiative launched by the WHO, (www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/one-health) it is essential an effort in “designing and implementing programs, policies, legislation and research in which multiple sectors communicate and work together to achieve better public health outcomes.” In order to achieve this, it is particularly important the control of zoonoses (diseases that can spread between animals and humans, such as flu, rabies and Rift Valley Fever), and combatting antibiotic resistance (when bacteria change after being exposed to antibiotics and become more difficult to treat).”

-Biosecurity is an essential part in preventing that the same microbes infect animals and humans, as they share the eco-systems they live in. Drug-resistant microbes can be transmitted between animals and humans through direct contact between animals and humans or through contaminated food, so to effectively contain it, a well-coordinated approach in humans and in animals is required. This is one of the important aspects Biosecurity covers but it must be done professionally and with tools adequate to an unprecedented environment.

-Coronaviruses, like that of the Avian Influenza, represent for now a danger to the life of our birds and  in principle do not pose a direct threat to humans, as avian influenza A viruses usually do not infect people, rare cases of human infection with these viruses have been reported. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the USA (www.cdc.gov/) stated that: “infected birds shed avian influenza virus in their saliva, mucous and feces. Human infections with bird flu viruses can happen when enough virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled. This can happen when virus is in the air (in droplets or possibly dust) and a person breathes it in, or when a person touches something that has virus on it then touches their mouth, eyes or nose. Rare human infections with some avian viruses have occurred most often after unprotected contact with infected birds or surfaces contaminated with avian influenza viruses.” Fortunately, illness in people has ranged from mild to moderately severe and limited to areas where basic rules of hygiene were not properly maintained.

The spread of avian influenza A viruses from one ill person to another has been reported very rarely, and when it has been reported it has been limited, inefficient and not sustained. However, because of the possibility that avian influenza A viruses could change and gain the ability to spread easily between people, monitoring for human infection and person-to-person spread is extremely important for public health.

This is why Facco has taken a special attention to the implementation of special protocols and introduced the use of products to reduce the risk of contamination and spreading. Research is moving forward, but we have very positive feedback so far. Do not hesitate to contact us at info@facco.net to find out more.

On his matter, Facco recently  collaborated on a project in the fight against Avian flu through the use of photocatalysis.
This is the article release by the Japanese press that tells how the project started and the results achieved. 

Facco Japan challenges avian flu through photocatalysis
Facco S.p.a. one of the biggest poultry equipment suppliers in the world, started the photocatalysis project in the fight against avian flu.

Nihon Hikarishokubai Center and Facco Japan initiated a project that introduces photocatalyst as new measure against avian flu virus. Photocatalysis is a photochemical process that develops with the combined action of sun rays and some noble metals, in relation to the humidity of air. The photochemical reaction created allows to eliminate with a natural process the harmful substances like bacterial and virus.

Thanks to the experiment led by Kitazato University, it was demonstrated how Photocatalyst, produced and sold by Nihon Hikarishokubai Center, deactivate Al virus by 99.99%. Moreover, studies showed other effects and benefits that encouraged the launch of this project.

The pioneer activity of the project saw photocatalysis applied to one of the biggest farms in Japan. Studies showed how the Al virus usually comes from the outside so it’s necessary to intervene mainly on the areas preceding the entrance of the farm. Therefore, to test the efficiency, the photocatalyst was applied in the rest and changing rooms which are usually considered the places with the higher risk of spreading infections in the farm.

Through the test ATP, it was verified how the antivirus/antibacterial effect remains even after two weeks since the introduction of photocatalyst in the farm. It was also shown how, after the application of photocatalyst, there’s a lower quantity of dirt on the fans, an area that usually sees a bigger accumulation of dirt and smell. Therefore, this led to an energy saving and a lower necessity of cleaning. The measurement is continuing in order to collect results on a longer period of application. The result encourages Nihon Hikarishokubai and Facco to introduce photocatalyst in the farms worldwide to keep reducing the number of infections caused by the virus Al and offer a guarantee of protections to the breeders worldwide.

In the photo gallery you can see the original certificate that shows how Avian flu virus is reduced when photocatalysis is applied.

Click on the following link to view the original article released by the Japanes press.

prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000029.000076122.html