Reducing the Risk of Disease Spread in Poultry Through Hygiene and Biosecurity Practices in Imo State, Nigeria

Disease outbreaks remain a major constraint in poultry production, particularly where farm-level hygiene and biosecurity compliance are suboptimal. This study assessed the influence of biosecurity level and management practices on disease incidence and mortality rate in commercial, semi-intensive, and backyard poultry farms in Imo State, Nigeria. A total of 100 poultry farms were categorized into low, moderate, and high biosecurity levels based on compliance scores. Farm observations, farmer interviews, and available farm health and production records were used to assess biosecurity practices, disease incidence, and mortality. Disease incidence (%) and mortality rate (%) were analyzed using a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) with biosecurity level, footbath use, visitor restriction, and farm type as explanatory factors. Correlations among biosecurity score, disease incidence, mortality, and flock size were also evaluated using Pearson's method. Biosecurity level had a significant effect on both disease incidence (t = 15.10, p < 0.001) and mortality rate (t = 7.50, p < 0.001). Farms with high biosecurity recorded 4.12 percentage points lower disease incidence and 1.37 percentage points lower mortality than moderate-level farms, whereas low-biosecurity farms showed 8.80 percentage points higher disease incidence and 3.25 percentage points higher mortality than high-biosecurity farms. Absence of footbaths increased disease incidence (p = 0.029), while farm type had a significant effect on disease incidence in semi-intensive systems. Biosecurity score correlated negatively with disease incidence (r = –0.83, p < 0.001) and mortality (r = –0.63, p < 0.001). Enhanced biosecurity compliance was associated with reduced disease and mortality risks in poultry farms, emphasizing the importance of integrated hygiene measures such as entry disinfection, movement control, waste management, and pest control. Adoption of effective biosecurity practices may also reduce antimicrobial use and associated antimicrobial-resistance risks in poultry systems.