We are excited to announce a collaborative research project between our team and Penn State University to address a critical issue in poultry production: airborne viral infections. This innovative study, led by Dr. Ruth Nissly and Dr. Mathias Martins, explores the use of chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) gas as a safe, efficient, and practical method for inactivating avian viruses in poultry housing.
Project Highlights
- Focus: Investigating the effectiveness of ClO₂ gas in deactivating highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) and other significant poultry viruses, including infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV), and Newcastle disease virus (NDV).
- Objectives:
- Develop optimized ClO₂ gas exposure protocols to neutralize viruses in air duct filters.
- Test the safety of low-level ClO₂ exposure for chickens and its efficacy in preventing viral infection.
- Evaluate ClO₂’s ability to decontaminate virus-contaminated poultry housing and prevent transmission to new flocks.
- Team: A multidisciplinary group of virology, poultry science, and biosecurity experts, alongside industry leader PureLine, specializing in chlorine dioxide production.
Why It Matters
With the U.S. poultry industry valued at over $57 billion annually, viral outbreaks pose significant threats to economic stability, animal welfare, and food security. Pennsylvania alone contributes $2.6 billion to this total, underscoring the importance of innovative biosecurity measures. This research promises to deliver groundbreaking solutions to safeguard poultry operations from devastating diseases like HPAIV, ensuring a healthier, more sustainable future for the industry.
Stay tuned for updates as we work to develop science-backed solutions to protect poultry health and enhance biosecurity practices.
Source: Pureline
