News

USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic H7N3 Avian Influenza in a Commercial Flock in Chesterfield County, South Carolina

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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May 2019 California Newcastle Disease Update

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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Canine CPR Model

UMaine VDL Hosts 2019 FFA Vet Science Event

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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January 2019 Update on Avian Diseases

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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Crows in a Tree. Bangor, Maine

January 2019 Update on low pathogenic avian influenza

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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Fresh Eggs $2.50 Sign at small chicken farm

December 2018 California Newcastle Disease Update

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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November 2018 California Newcastle Disease Update

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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Minnesota Turkey Farms LPAI Update

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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October 2018 California Newcastle Disease Update

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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