Cooperative Extension Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

South Africa reports two outbreaks of H7 bird flu in poultry By Reuters Staff, June 26, 2023 Paris, France — South Africa reported two outbreaks of highly pathogenic H7 bird flu in poultry east of Johannesburg, the Paris-based World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) said on Monday. In total 9,500 farm poultry died from the […]

By Sybille De La Hamaide PARIS, May 21 (Reuters) – Governments should consider vaccinating poultry against bird flu, which has killed hundreds of millions of birds and infected mammals worldwide, to prevent the virus from turning into a new pandemic, the head of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) said. The severity of the current […]

The current U.S. stockpile of H5N1 flu shots likely won’t offer much protection in the event of a pandemic, vaccine researchers said. By Aria Bendix Wild birds and poultry flocks alike continue to drop dead from the highly pathogenic bird flu that began spreading globally in 2020. Almost 59 million commercial birds have already been culled in the United States. It’s […]

Six Hooded Merganser Ducks Found Dead at the Outlet of Maranacook Lake Test Positive for HPAI AUGUSTA, ME — The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife was notified today that six hooded merganser ducks that were found dead at the outlet of Maranacook Lake tested positive for HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza). The National […]

Backyard Flock and Commercial Operators Are Urged to Prevent Contact Between Domestic and Wild Birds AUGUSTA, ME — The risk for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) remains high in Maine, and backyard flock and commercial operators are urged to prevent contact between domestic and wild birds by bringing them indoors and ensuring their outdoor areas […]

Update from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): Contacts: APHISpress@usda.gov WASHINGTON, October 21, 2022 — The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial backyard flock (non-poultry) in Newport […]

Vigilance is still needed as HPAI continues to be detected in Maine’s wildlife. AUGUSTA, ME — Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a highly contagious virus that can be spread in various ways from flock to flock, including through wild birds, contact with infected poultry, equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers. Starting in February […]

— Submitted by Anne Lichtenwalner, DVM Ph.D., University of Maine Associate Professor of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and Director of the UMaine Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. From Maine.gov’s recent Animal Health Program, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry email notification. For Immediate Release: July 1, 2022 Media Contact: Jim Britt, jim.britt@maine.gov AUGUSTA — Today, due […]

Guidelines from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife — Submitted by Anne Lichtenwalner, DVM Ph.D., University of Maine Associate Professor of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and Director of the UMaine Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Posted with permission of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW). We are seeing increased wild bird losses […]