Epidemiology of avian diseases.

A large number of diseases occur in domestic, farm-raised poultry. Only two of the many different diseases are notifiable and subject to governmental control: highly pathogenic avian influenza and Newcastle disease. Diagnosis and treatment or prevention of all other conditions are left to the skills of farmers and their veterinarians. Poultry production is aimed at providing more and tastier food for the ever growing human community. Infectious diseases and technical errors during production and processing need to be minimised. The concept of hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) has already been introduced into food processing and quality assessment. The regulations laid down in ISO 9000 will soon become a powerful and practical tool for monitoring and improving the productivity of live poultry. Approved epidemiological concepts and tools will enable the poultry industry to achieve constant and safe production. Certification on the basis of ISO 9000 of all areas of poultry production is a new approach for maintaining the health of poultry, for tracing and subsequently eliminating breaks in productivity, and securing production without health hazards for the consumer.