P02.1 Geospatial Data to Support Veterinary Avian Flu Surveillance in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano (Italy)

Abstract

The domestic fowl population in the Province of Bolzano, 520,000 inhabitants, northern Italy (Alps), currently amounts to approx. 156,700 heads (domestic poultry, turkeys and ducks, i.e. Gallus gallus, Meleagris gallopavo, Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) at a total 207 farms, very few of which hold over 5000 birds. Currently, the province is not a high-risk area for Avian Influenza (EFSA et al. 2023). Although major migratory routes cross the province, there are few wetlands serving as wintering sites for wild bird species. However, there are small rural poultry farms for private consumption throughout the province and, albeit at low density, several commercial farms containing laying hens, broilers, turkeys and species of lesser economic importance. On average, these farms, also due to consumer attention to animal welfare, offer outdoor access. Free-ranging birds leaving the coop increase the risk of Avian Influenza infection through contact with wild fowl. In addition, the need for commercial farms to source poultry flocks exposes them to diseases introduced from other regions or European countries with higher infection risks.

Given the need to implement the government’s annual Avian Influenza surveillance plan and the decrees concerning biosecurity at poultry farms, it is essential to monitor Veterinary Public Health interventions and to practise outbreak preparedness.

Until present, no Avian Influenza cases have been reported in the province; however, cases are being reported in all neighbouring provinces (IZS 2023, July 12). Between 24/02 and 02/03/2023, three cases of H5N1 in Black-headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) only 50 km from the provincial borders further substantiated the risk of an Avian Influenza introduction (IZS 2023, July 13).

The project aimed to provide local veterinary services with a tool for more effective, close monitoring of disease emergence.

GIS data of all registered poultry farms were collected with details at municipality level, adding geospatial data of sites with the largest waterfowl concentrations and linking them to information about each farm (bred species, number of heads) using ArcGIS Desktop (Version 10.5). The farm coordinates were collected alphanumerically and imported to the map as a point layer. Lakes and biotopes were georeferenced using orthophotos from 2020. The river line layer was delimited by an initial and an end point, which were indicated. The coordinate system used is ETRS89 UTM zone 32N (EPSG: 25832).

Five different geographic distribution maps were prepared for the entire territory and distributed to the veterinary services of the four health districts. An information seminar was organized to inform both veterinarians and poultry breeders. At present, browsable online versions are being explored.

With respect to emergency preparedness, response and management regarding Avian Influenza, geographic information systems should be considered an important additional tool for the Veterinary Public Health sector and routinely used in One Health strategies.