In recent months, although I prefer to forget them, we have heard news that may seem like indoctrination, and proposals that seem to be sales spots, which, if heard, could have embarrassed FAR, KOCK and FLUGGE (see editorials 68 and 69). Other scientists who would also probably blush would be SCHÄFER, SCHALK and HAWN.

In 1955, Warner Schäfer described the influenza A virus as the cause of avian flu that was first described in Italy in 1878. Waterfowl are currently considered to be asymptomatic natural reservoirs of this virus.

On the other hand, Schalk and Hawn first diagnosed avian infectious bronchitis in 1930, due to a coronavirus, which affects the respiratory and reproductive systems, as well as the kidneys of broilers.

After 144 years for influenza and 92 years for infectious bronchitis, both diseases continue to occur in nature and in the poultry industry due to hundreds of serotypes and variants throughout the world.

It can be considered that it is a negligence of poultry producers or veterinarians, but this will be a wrong thought. Poultry producers and veterinarians are extremely careful when it comes to bird health and nutrition of the birds.

Vaccination programs based on attenuated and inactivated vaccines are systematically applied to 100% of the birds following intense vaccination programs. Breeding birds receive a minimum of three vaccines in 22 weeks and its sons, the broilers, 2 vaccines in 5 weeks.

Some questions may arise, where is the cause that these viruses continue to occur despite intense vaccination pressure?
and the answers that are obtained are:

1. Rapid evolution of the strains, their intense recombination, and the poor cross-immune protection between them.
2. Need of rapid diagnostic methods to identify emerging serotypes.
3. Need to apply nutritional programs which maintain the immunity.
4. Need to apply environmental management standards that maintain adequate air quality (particles, CO², ammonia) through automated control and ventilation systems.
5. Management practices to reduce the contact with objects that are possible carriers of the virus (clothes, shoes, equipment, vehicles).
6. Hygiene practices in the facilities both inside and outside the farm, through dry cleaning, cleaning with water, use of soaps and disinfectants at the appropriate concentrationsand for as long as necessary.
7. Rest period of the facilities known as sanitary vacuum of a minimum of 10 days.
8. Adoption of measures so that the concentration of individuals in the interior spaces is adequate.Especially if birds of different ages coexist, avoiding the passage of virus from one individual to another, even if they are vaccinated and asymptomatic, which may cause the appearance of new variants.

It seems important that contact with the virus occurs within limits of viral load and the time elapsed between successive contacts of individuals with a functional immune system, adequate nutritional protein intake, who live in appropriate population densities and in a hygienic environment.

In Veterinaria Digital we invite our readers to reflect on all this and, if possible, apply it to their work and daily life based on common sense.