Assessment of Biosecurity Status in Poultry Farms at Dhaka District

Poultry farming is one of the most rapidly expanding agricultural sectors in Bangladesh, providing a vital source of animal protein and rural employment. Despite its economic importance, the industry faces persistent challenges from infectious diseases such as Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, primarily due to insufficient biosecurity implementation. Effective biosecurity encompassing conceptual, structural, and operational measures is essential for preventing disease transmission and ensuring sustainable poultry production. The present study aimed to assess the biosecurity status of poultry farms in Dhaka District, Bangladesh, by evaluating the level of compliance across conceptual, structural, and operational components and identifying the key factors influencing overall biosecurity performance. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and April 2025 among 50 randomly selected poultry farms located in Dhaka District. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, direct field observations, and interviews with farm owners or managers. Each biosecurity indicator was scored dichotomously (1 = compliant, 0 = non-compliant). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data, while Pearson’s correlation and Chi-square (χ²) tests determined associations among biosecurity components and farm characteristics at a 5% significance level. The study revealed a moderate overall biosecurity score (mean = 64.46%), with structural biosecurity achieving the highest mean (65.27%), followed by operational (64.25%) and conceptual (63.85%) components. Farm location (p = 0.026) and vehicle-entry prohibition (p = 0.049) were significantly associated with higher biosecurity compliance, whereas demographic variables such as education, gender, and prior experience showed no significant relationship. A strong positive correlation was observed between structural and overall biosecurity scores (r = 0.85), highlighting the importance of farm infrastructure and access control in minimizing disease risk. The findings demonstrate that poultry farms in Dhaka District maintain moderate compliance with biosecurity standards. Strengthening farm infrastructure, enforcing vehicle and visitor restrictions, and implementing cluster-based training programs could significantly improve biosecurity compliance and reduce disease outbreaks in Bangladesh’s poultry sector.