Avian Influenza update from Paul Brennan of the Indiana State Poultry Association
Avian Influenza update from Paul Brennan of the Indiana State Poultry Association (via Eric Gingerich, 9-12-2018):
“The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has reported finding an H7 avian influenza (AI) detection from commercial meat turkeys in Stanislaus County, California. AI antibody and presumptive H7 were reported by California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) Laboratory on Sept 6, 2018. Available test results and clinical observation are consistent with LPAI. NVSL confirmed H7 on September 8, 2018.
The facility consists of organic commercial meat turkeys. There were approximately 26,258 birds in the flock in five houses. The flock was depopulated on September 9. The affected company sampled their premises within 10 km of the depopulated site on September 6th . All results were reported negative on September 7th.”
Maine poultry owners: The usual precautions for biosecurity should be taken seriously, as always. AI can be shed by migrating waterfowl (among other types of birds) and these waterfowl may appear healthy, but be shedding the virus in their feces and other secretions.
Keep good barriers between your birds and wild birds.
Please be aware that wildlife agencies also survey for Avian Influenza in wild birds, and that low pathogenicity AI does occur sometimes in wild birds in our region. It is essential to keep your birds separate from wild birds: separate from water, feed, dust or feces that wild birds have contaminated. If you lose birds suddenly and would like our to test for AI, please let the state vet know and also contact the University of Maine Animal Health Lab at 207.581.3874.