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 […]
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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 […]
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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, […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recently confirmed two additional cases of vND in Riverside Country, California. Additional samples from previous suspected cases have also been recently confirmed as vND. As of May 18, 2019 a total of 440 premises in California have been confirmed infected with vND. The USDA has also confirmed […]
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The UMaine Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory had the pleasure of hosting the 2019 Future Farmers of America Veterinary Science Event on May 16th. The event included workshops provided by the UMA-Bangor Veterinary Technology Program. Students spent the afternoon participating in workshops relating to veterinary science and agriculture. Some parasites like fleas and ticks are commonly known […]
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There continue to be problems with Newcastle Disease in the West, with recently reported suspect cases in Utah, and spread of the disease from backyard poultry to several commercial farms in southern California. In a recent post by Simon Shane, the need for effective biosecurity measures to protect poultry from this serious disease was emphasized. […]
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