Prevention: How to Stop Avian Influenza at the Gate
- Michelle
- Mar 28
- 3 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
The Real Vector: Wild Birds and How It Spreads
Wild birds, especially waterfowl such as ducks and geese, are natural carriers of avian influenza viruses. These birds often show no signs of illness. As a result, they silently carry and shed the virus during migration. This shedding often occurs through their droppings and secretions. In Australia, migratory birds travel along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. This important route stretches from Siberia to Tasmania, making regular contact with inland and coastal wetland habitats near farms.
Recent research and disease tracing show that most domestic poultry infections originate from indirect or direct contact with wild birds. This contact can occur via:
Contaminated water sources (e.g., open drinking systems)
Feed storage or spillage that attracts wild birds
Droppings and feathers in paddocks and around sheds
Shared airspace in open-range and semi-enclosed housing systems
In essence, wild birds act as both carriers and amplifiers of AI. The virus can enter a property through a single visiting bird. Once inside, it can spread quickly through flocks or between farms via contaminated equipment, boots, or clothing.
Reducing Wild Bird Presence: Your First Line of Defense
In 2021, a peer-reviewed study by Wageningen University found that laser bird deterrents reduced wild bird presence on poultry farms by 98.2%. This was particularly effective for waterfowl, the most likely transmitters of avian influenza. Reducing wild bird access to farms drastically limits the chance for AI to leap the species barrier to commercial poultry or livestock.
Why Managing Wild Bird Presence is Vital
Here’s why managing wild bird presence is crucial:
Fewer wild birds = lower chance of initial AI introduction
Reduces virus accumulation in shared environments
Prevents repeated exposure, a key factor in outbreaks
Limits virus spillover to other species, including cattle and potentially humans
AVIX Laser: Proven, Preventative Biosecurity
AVIX laser devices are saving poultry farms in the US from major AI outbreaks. You can find the story here.
The AVIX Autonomic laser bird deterrent system is a non-lethal, automated solution. It uses a green laser beam to mimic a physical threat. To birds, it looks like a fast-moving solid object. This mimics the natural flight response, encouraging birds to vacate the area without harming them or causing habituation.
Key Benefits
Fully automated and programmable – operates silently day and night.
Non-disruptive to farm staff or nearby residents.
Proven results in commercial agriculture settings worldwide.
Dramatically reduces bird droppings and roosting in feedlots, sheds, and paddocks.
For Australian poultry and cattle farms—especially those with free-range or open housing systems—this level of protection is crucial in an overall biosecurity plan. It is a logical pathway to avian influenza prevention.
Looking Ahead: Prevention is Protection
The recent H7N8 outbreak in Victoria in March 2025 proved just how fast avian influenza can spread. It disrupted national food supply chains, resulting in the euthanization of 500,000 chickens. As migratory bird seasons overlap critical production periods, Australian farmers must adopt a mindset of prevention, not reaction.
By reducing wild bird access using proven technology like the AVIX Autonomic laser, producers can:
Protect flocks and herds from AI introduction
Minimize operational disruptions
Preserve their income and maintain national food security
It’s Not a Matter of If — It’s When
Wild birds will continue to arrive, but they don’t need to stop on your farm. To protect your livestock and secure your future, take proactive steps now. Prevent bird-related AI transmission today.
👉 Learn more about how the AVIX laser can become a vital part of your biosecurity toolkit. Contact us today.
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