There has been a lot of research looking at how HPAI has been able to get around biosecurity measures and continues to spread in the USA. Fomites are being looked at. A fomite or fomes is any inanimate object that, when contaminated with or exposed to infectious agents can transfer disease to a new host. Research has shown that HPAI is unlikely to be spread via soil, feed, water or manure. Although HPAI can survive for a limited time on these possible fomites, research has shown that the virus’ ability to infect diminishes quickly. Water, however, may serve as a disease vector, especially at warmer temperatures.
Feathers as fomites is being research. Early results show that cells inside the feather shaft of growing feathers are full of virus. The feather shaft appears to help protect the virus. Feathers are lightweight and float in the air, but the current research is unclear how long the virus lives in feathers before full transmissibility.
Right now, we know that there are several potential transmission pathways for HPAI among poultry houses and farms. The best recommendations are to have AND FOLLOW a strong biosecurity program.
For more information on biosecurity programs, see the APHIS ‘Defend the flock’ website – Defend the Flock. Another possible resource is the USDA Information manual for implementing poultry biosecurity – Information Manual for Implementing Poultry Biosecurity