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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1-2-2019: Update on low pathogenic avian influenza (per Eric Gingrich): Low-pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) does not pose a risk to public health or food safety. However, due to negative impacts on poultry health, when LPAI positive flocks are detected they are reported to state and national authorities. In addition to increased monitoring of the positive […]
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12-2018 California Newcastle Disease update: Since May 2018, USDA has confirmed 380 cases of virulent Newcastle Disease (vND) in backyard birds in southern California. Almost all are in small flock (“backyard”) show chickens, but a few are in small flocks of turkeys, and “mixed bird” flocks. To keep this disease from spreading, and to keep […]
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During the week of November 23 – 29, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed seven additional cases of virulent Newcastle disease (vND) in backyard exhibition chickens in Los Angeles and Riverside counties, California. Affected flocks are quickly euthanized. These actions will help us prevent additional disease […]
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As of Nov. 16th 2018, 7 commercial turkey farms (ranging from 2 to 14 weeks old at detection) in Minnesota are infected with low-pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) type H5N2. While the death losses from this strain of AI are not as serious as from HPAI strains (highly pathogenic avian influenza), it is still a serious […]
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Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND) continues on at a low level in California backyard chicken flocks, illustrating how difficult it is to effectively control this disease, especially when it is disseminated in the backyard flock community. Because it is such a serious disease, all bird owners should be vigilant. vND has not been found in commercial […]
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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 […]
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Periodically versions of the Newcastle Disease virus occur in wild birds in our region. We have seen cases in pigeons (pigeon-adapted strain), and another strain occasionally occurs in double-crested cormorants. Currently, there appear to be cases of this disease causing some deaths in the cormorant population. Of note, we don’t have this disease in domestic […]
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Since May 2018, USDA has confirmed 106 cases of virulent Newcastle Disease (vND) in backyard birds in southern California. Almost all are in small flock (“backyard”) show chickens, but a few are in small flocks of turkeys, and “mixed bird” flocks. To keep this disease from spreading, and to keep it out of the commercial […]
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