Aflatoxicosis represents one of the serious diseases of poultry, livestock and other animals. It is caused by the ingestion of one of the classes of toxins found in certain fungi called aflatoxins, which are produce by Aspergillus species. Also, the cause of this disease in poultry has been attributed to the ingestion of various feeds contaminated with A. flavus. This toxigenic fungus is known to produce a group of extremely toxic metabolites, of which aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is most potent. Chicks are most susceptible to AFB1 toxicity. The toxic effects of AFB1 are primarily concentrated in the liver, resulting in hepatic necrosis, bile duct proliferation, jaundice and hemorrhage. Aflatoxin contamination is typically found in grains, corn products, cotton seed oil, groundnut cake. Crops can be contaminated with aflatoxins while growing in the field, during harvesting, processing or storage.
Aflatoxin causes significant challenges to poultry farmers and feed manufacturers resulting to a substantial economic loss. In our country’s tropical climate, characterized by hot, humid conditions, poor crop harvesting during the rainy season and inadequate drying storage facilities, feed is highly susceptible to fungal contamination.
Historical Impact and Major Outbreaks
In the 1960s, an outbreak of aflatoxicosis in Turkey resulted in the deaths of over 100,000 poultry and led to a significant loss of income for farmers. This incident, known as the “Turkey X disease,” was linked to aflatoxin contamination of feed. Another significant outbreak occurred in the early 2000s in the United States, where aflatoxin contamination of corn led to substantial economic losses across the poultry industry. These events highlight the critical need for effective management practices to prevent aflatoxin contamination in feed.
The economic impact of aflatoxicosis can be severe. In affected regions, losses can range from reduced growth rates and egg production to increased mortality rates and decreased feed efficiency. Inadequate crop handling and storage practices, particularly in hot and humid climates, worsens the problem, resulting to increased contamination risks.
Key symptoms of aflatoxicosis in poultry include:
- Passage of undigested food in the droppings.
- Reduced growth rate and inefficient feed conversion.
- Reduced hatchability from breeders resulting from embryonic mortality.
- Anemia in infected birds as a result of reduced feed intake.
- Damage of gastro intestinal tract.
- Reduction in the quantity and quality of egg production in layers.
- Decreased vaccine efficacy.
- Lesions in the liver, with reddening due to necrosis and congestion or yellowing due to lipid accumulation.
- Hemorrhages in liver and tissues
- Bird mortality.
Economic Impact
The economic consequences of aflatoxicosis are considerable in tropical regions, where the risk of aflatoxin contamination is particularly high due to favorable conditions for fungal growth. Poultry farmers and feed manufacturers face significant financial challenges. Ineffective crop handling and storage practices further increase these risks, leading to both direct and indirect economic losses.
Prevention and Control
To mitigate the impact of aflatoxicosis, implementing effective prevention and control measures is crucial. These strategies include:
- Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs): Employing appropriate farming techniques to minimize fungal contamination in crops.
- Selecting Reputable Suppliers: Choose feed suppliers with rigorous quality control measures and regular aflatoxin testing.
- Proper Feed Storage: store feed in cool, dry conditions to prevent fungal growth and aflatoxin production.
- Implementing Biosecurity Measures: Maintain a clean and sanitary environment to minimize the risk of fungal contamination.
By adopting these strategies, poultry farmers and feed manufacturers can effectively safeguard their flocks from the detrimental effects of aflatoxicosis and protect the economic viability of the poultry industry.
