News

Brown Chicken

Update on Newcastle Disease in California backyard exhibition (show-type) chickens

There have been new cases since mid-May, (click here for a list of confirmed cases) when this problem emerged in small flocks in California.  With the controls that exist via state regulations and routine state veterinary activities, this disease should be contained.  However, it’s very important to protect your (and your neighbors’) birds by following […]

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Peahen

Avian Health Update for People Who Purchase or Show Exhibition Poultry

Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND), formerly known as Exotic Newcastle Disease is a contagious and fatal viral disease affecting the respiratory, nervous and digestive systems of birds and poultry. The disease is so virulent that many birds and poultry die without showing any clinical signs. Since May 18, USDA has confirmed several cases of vND in […]

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Arial View of the new UMaine Cooperative Extension Diagnostic and Research Laboratory building

Stay Updated on the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Move

Exciting News! The University of Maine Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (formerly the Animal Health Laboratory) is preparing to move to our new building at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Diagnostic and Research Laboratory. Our new facility is located at 17 Godfrey Drive, Orono and will also house the Pest Management Unit and Aquatic Animal Health […]

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chicken

March 31, 2017 Update on Avian Influenza

“H7 avian influenza has been identified in Georgia; you can find the link to the News Release here. Please refer to the USDA-VS newsroom link, Tennessee (TN), Alabama (AL) and Kentucky (KY) Department of Agriculture websites for updates on the AI status in their respective states. While the case has been identified in a state that […]

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flock of chickens

March 20, 2017 Update on Avian Influenza

Avian influenza continues to be present in the US at low prevalence, and updates on the US and the international situation can be found at these sites: Avian Influenza — USDA Reinforcing control efforts amid outbreak of avian influenza in China — OIE World Organisation for Animal Health The most recent isolation was from a […]

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Canada geese

Migratory Bird Patterns: Animation from Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Curious about why bird diseases may show up in a seasonal pattern? See Citizen Science Reveals Annual Bird Migrations Across Continents, courtesy eBird and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which helps illustrate how avian influenza may show up in the US in spring and fall. Wild birds are great travelers, and Avian Influenza virus may spread […]

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Initial Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the US: 2017

March 5, 2017, Washington — The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H7 avian influenza (HPAI) of North American wild bird lineage in a commercial chicken breeder flock in Lincoln County, Tennessee. This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in […]

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Update on Avian Influenza: November, 2016

There are no US outbreaks of AI at the moment, but the situation in Europe and Asia is troublesome. The world Organization for Animal Health (OIE) keeps a running tally of where/when highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI; H5 and H7 serotypes) occurs. As of now, they list 12 European/Northern Asian countries with current (November 2016) […]

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