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 […]
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New veterinary medication regulations in effect June 11 News staff Come mid-June, many common livestock antibiotics will be more difficult to access. June 11, 2023, marks the start of a new regulation requiring a veterinarian prescription for previously over-the-counter drugs. This new rule is an extension of the existing 2017 Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD), which […]
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The Sagadahoc County resident is the first Mainer to contract the disease in 2023. By Eric Russell, Staff Writer A Sagadahoc County resident has died from exposure to the Powassan virus, a rare tick-borne illness. The adult developed neurologic symptoms after being exposed and died in a hospital, the Maine Center for Disease Control and […]
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Ticks found to harbor and release prions of chronic wasting disease By Pooja Toshniwal Paharia, Reviewed by Lily Ramsey, LLM In a recent study published in the Scientific Reports Journal, researchers combined experimental tick feeding with tick evaluations from wild white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to determine whether ticks may contain transmission-relevant amounts of chronic wasting disease (CWD)-associated […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) urges all poultry growers to make sure they are doing everything possible to keep their birds healthy and reduce the risk that an infectious disease will spread from their property to other flocks. Anyone involved with poultry production — commercial or […]
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— 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 […]
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