Submitted by Anne Lichtenwalner, University of Maine Associate Professor of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and Director of the UMaine Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) swept into Maine this spring, but due to the efforts of our animal health teams and to the sacrifices of poultry owners, it is not here at the […]
Read more
MAINE ANIMAL HEALTH OFFICIALS RESPOND TO AVIAN INFLUENZA Current Situation Since DACF’s March 17 update, USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in samples taken from small flocks of non-commercial backyard birds (non-poultry); Lincoln County (March 17); Knox and York Counties (March 19); Cumberland County (March 22); and […]
Read more
— Content provided by Donna R. Coffin, Extension Professor, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Piscataquis County, donna.coffin@maine.edu Maine Animal Health Officials Respond to Avian Influenza For more information contact: Jim Britt at: Jim.Britt@maine.gov Current Situation USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in samples taken from eight small flocks […]
Read more
Planning for your poultry flocks? Please be aware that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) will be a challenge this year. We have the Cornell Wildlife folks to thank for passing along these USDA and USGS tools for finding out where avian influenza is causing concerns right now. If you would like to know more about […]
Read more
By Anne Lichtenwalner, University of Maine Associate Professor of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and Director of the UMaine Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Dear Maine poultry owners, We have recently had some of our Maine backyard poultry flocks become exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).* We are not alone — there are similar situations in eastern […]
Read more
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a deadly disease of poultry. Recently, H5N1, a subtype of HPAI, was detected in wild birds and commercial and backyard poultry flocks in several U.S. States. With the increase of backyard producers and pet bird owners, the U.S. Department of Agriculture needs your help. As a companion animal veterinarian, […]
Read more
By Anne Lichtenwalner, University of Maine Associate Professor of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and Director of the UMaine Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Dear Maine poultry owners, We have recently had some of our Maine backyard poultry flocks become exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).* We are not alone — there are similar situations in eastern […]
Read more
The USDA and federal wildlife agencies, as well as the international animal health community, are making preparations to address likely avian influenza (AI) resurgence in the coming year. Europe is dealing with AI case numbers similar to the 2016 season and, with our wild bird populations getting ready for the fall migrations, exposure of domestic […]
Read more
Recently, low-pathogenic avian influenza was found in some commercial poultry farms in the Carolinas; later, a high-path strain was detected. While it’s not clear how this infection occurred, the role of wild bird migration is always under consideration. What should the small farmer do to avoid illness in their poultry flocks? The usual thing: basic […]
Read more
USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic H7N3 Avian Influenza in a Commercial Flock in Chesterfield County, South Carolina The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial turkey flock in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. This is the first […]
Read more