Three More H7N9 Farms Alabama

[niman]

Three More H7N9 Farms Alabama

Montgomery, Ala. —The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries will host a press conference today to discuss three findings of avian influenza in poultry in north Alabama. 

This press conference is open to the media. 

Following the press conference, media representatives will have the opportunity to speak with department personnel, poultry industry experts and other representatives listed below. 

WHO:                  Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI)
WHAT:                Press conference to discuss findings of avian influenza in Alabama
WHEN:                Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at 11 a.m. CST
WHERE:              Richard Beard Building
                             Emergency Operations Center
                             1445 Federal Drive 
                             Montgomery, AL 36107 

[niman]

LIVE Feed

http://www.wsfa.com/story/34811711/watch-live-al-agriculture-officials-discuss-avian-influenza-findings

The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries will hold a news conference at 11 a.m. to discuss the findings of avian influenza in poultry in north Alabama.

WSFA will carry this press conference LIVE and you can click here to watch live on WSFA.com.

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Tens of thousands of chickens were destroyed at a Tennessee chicken farm due to a bird flu outbreak in early March.  

Authorities did not identify the farm where the chickens were destroyed, saying only that it is located in the state’s Lincoln County, which is just west of Chattanooga and borders Alabama.

[niman]

| Tue Mar 14, 2017 | 12:02pm EDT

Bird flu infects Alabama poultry, likely low pathogenic -officials

 

 

 

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By Tom Polansek | CHICAGO

Bird flu has infected poultry at three sites in northern Alabama shortly after being found at two farms in neighboring Tennessee, and more chickens have been culled to contain the virus, state and industry officials in Alabama said on Tuesday.

The cases in Alabama are suspected to be the less dangerous form of the disease, known as low pathogenic, because the infected flocks did not have high levels of mortality, said Ray Hilburn, associate director of the Alabama Poultry and Egg Association, an industry group.

The flocks were near the spot in southern Tennessee where the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed on March 5 the nation's first case of highly pathogenic flu in commercial poultry in more than a year. Days later, Tennessee said it had detected low-pathogenic flu at another chicken farm nearby.

Highly pathogenic bird flu is often fatal for domesticated poultry and led to the deaths of about 50 million birds, mostly egg-laying hens, in the United States in 2014 and 2015. The less-serious low pathogenic flu form can cause coughing, depression and other symptoms in birds.

The spread of highly pathogenic flu could represent a financial blow for poultry operators such as Tyson Foods Inc and Pilgrim's Pride Corp because it would kill more birds or require flocks to be culled. It also would trigger more import bans from other countries, after South Korea, Japan and other nations limited imports following the highly pathogenic case in Tennessee.

Alabama has not received any definitive test results that show its cases are highly pathogenic, said Amy Belcher, spokeswoman for the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. No epidemiological connections have been made between the cases in Tennessee and Alabama, she added.

Belcher declined to discuss culling of the birds ahead of a news conference on bird flu, or avian influenza (AI), in the state on Tuesday.

Hilburn said infected birds had been culled but did not know how many. He said one case in Alabama was at a commercial breeding facility for chickens raised for meat and one involved a backyard flock.

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"As soon as they find out that its possibly any type of AI, they're going to get rid of the birds," Hilburn said. "They don't take a chance on anything."

Health officials have said the risk of bird flu spreading to people from poultry or making food unsafe was low.

 

(Reporting by Tom Polansek; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Frances Kerry)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-birdflu-usa-idUSKBN16L1UX

[niman]

Avian flu confirmed in chickens in three North Alabama counties

• Mar 14, 2017 Updated 5 min ago
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(Image via ABC News)

 

 

 

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Alabama agriculture officials said they are investigating three cases of avian flu found in chickens in North Alabama.

Testing conducted indicated positive cases in Lauderdale County, northern Madison County and Scottsboro, officials said Tuesday morning.

A manufacturing facility in Lauderdale County, a backyard chicken flock in Madison County and chicken found at a Scottsboro flea market all tested positive for the flu, state agriculture commissioner John McMillan said in a news conference. McMillan said they had been preparing for possible cases to show up in the state.

 

The agriculture department has been preparing for flu to pop up since cases were confirmed in Lincoln and Giles counties in Tennessee.

"Really what we've done is plan our work, and now we're working our plan," McMillan said.

That plan includes heavily testing chickens everywhere from manufacturing facilities to backyard flocks and flea markets, McMillan said.

 

The source of the flu is feces from wild waterfowl, officials said. Officials did say the cases did not present a food safety issue.

Officials say the U.S. Department of Agriculture will confirm their tests. 

http://www.waaytv.com/appnews/avian-flu-confirmed-in-chickens-in-three-north-alabama-counties/article_19642774-08d2-11e7-b5b9-5365dbfc3861.html

[niman]

Map Update

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&hl=en&authuser=0&authuser=0&mid=1k-KvqZz3R_Dhe4TOrFD7aYv34Hs&ll=34.71748775827555%2C-86.77630920546875&z=9

[Admin]

PRESS RELEASE

 

Tuesday, March 14, 2017                                                                                                             Contact: Amy Belcher 334-240-7126

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Stop Movement Order Issued on Certain Poultry in Alabama

 

Montgomery, Ala. — State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier in consultation with Commissioner John McMillan today has issued a stop movement order for certain poultry in Alabama. “The health of poultry is critically important at this time,” said Dr. Frazier. “With three investigations of avian influenza in north Alabama on three separate premises we feel that the stop movement order is the most effective way to implement biosecurity for all poultry in our state.”

 

The first two investigations were on two separate premises in north Alabama. One flock of chickens at a commercial breeder operation located in Lauderdale County, Ala. was found to be suspect for avian influenza.  No significant mortality in the flock was reported.  The other premise was a backyard flock in Madison County, Ala. Samples from both premises have been sent to the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa and are being tested to determine presence of the virus.

 

The most recent investigation began following routine surveillance while executing Alabama’s HPAI Preparedness and Response Plan. USDA poultry technicians collected samples at the TaCo-Bet Trade Day flea market in Scottsboro located in Jackson County, Ala. on Sunday, March 12. Samples collected were suspect and those samples are on the way to the USDA Lab in Ames, Iowa.

 

Dr. Frazier reminds poultry owners to be vigilant about biosecurity. It is the department’s responsibility to protect backyard flock, exhibition, show and commercial poultry and stopping the movement of certain poultry is the most effective way to do so.

 

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is working closely with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) on a joint incident response. The U.S. has the strongest AI surveillance program in the world and USDA is working with its partners to actively look for the disease in commercial poultry operations, backyard birds, live bird markets and in migratory waterfowl populations.

 

This suspected strain of avian influenza does not pose a risk to the food supply. No affected poultry entered the food chain. The risk of human infection with avian influenza during poultry outbreaks is very low. 

 

“Following the 2015 avian influenza outbreak in the Midwest, planning, preparation, and extensive biosecurity efforts were escalated in Alabama. Industry, growers, state and federal agencies and other stakeholders have worked hard to maintain a level of readiness,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan. “Our staff is committed to staying actively involved in the avian influenza situation until any threats are addressed.”

 

Dr. Frazier has been working closely with USDA and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture this past week. He encourages commercial poultry producers and backyard flock owners to observe their birds closely and continue to practice strict biosecurity measures. These include:

 

•           Isolating poultry from other animals

•           Wearing clothing designated for use only at the poultry house

•           Minimizing access to people and unsanitized equipment

•           Keeping the area around the poultry buildings clean and uninviting to wild birds and animals

•           Sanitizing the facility between flocks

•           Cleaning equipment entering and leaving the farm

•           Having an all in, all out policy regarding the placement and removal of the poultry

•           Properly disposing of bedding material and mortalities

•           Avoiding contact with migratory waterfowl         

 

Frazier reminds all poultry owners and producers to strictly adhere to the biosecurity guidelines mentioned above. During this time, backyard flock owners should refrain from moving birds offsite or introducing new birds. The ADAI Poultry Division is available to answer any questions concerning movement of poultry and should be notified at 334-240-6584 and/or USDA at 1-866-536-7593 if birds show unusual signs of disease (flu-like symptoms) or flocks experiences unexplained mortalities.

 

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System has created a website to assist backyard flock owners with maintaining healthy birds and to provide answers for avian influenza control.  It can be found atwww.AlabamaAvianInfluenza.com.

 

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[Admin]

[niman]

[Admin]

PRESS RELEASE 
 

Monday, March 16, 2017                                                                 Contact: Amy Belcher 334-240-7126

                                                            FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Update on Premises Under Investigation for Avian Influenza in Alabama 

Montgomery, Ala. - Results have been received from the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa on the sample collected from a guinea fowl at the TaCo-Bet Trade Day flea market in Scottsboro, located in Jackson County, Alabama. The sample tested positive for low pathogenic H7N9 avian influenza (LPAI). The premises of origin for the guinea fowl, also located in Jackson County, Ala., is under quarantine and continued surveillance. The guinea fowl in question have been depopulated. 

Testing is still ongoing of samples submitted to NVSL from the other two premises in north Alabama, the commercial breeder flock in Lauderdale County and the backyard flock in Madison County. Out of an abundance of caution, the company decided to depopulate the entire flock at the commercial breeder operation in Lauderdale County and the birds were properly buried on the farm. The depopulation was not required but a decision made by the poultry company. The entire backyard flock in Madison County was also depopulated at the owners request. According to USDA, both cases are considered presumptive low pathogenic (LPAI) avian influenza because neither flock showed signs of illness. 

Today, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) confirmed a second case of highly pathogenic H7N9 avian influenza in a commercial breeder flock in Lincoln County, Tennessee. This H7N9 strain is of North American wild bird lineage and is the same strain of avian influenza that was previously confirmed in Tennessee.  It is NOT the same as the China H7N9 virus that has impacted poultry and infected humans in Asia.  The flock of 55,000 chickens is within three kilometers of the first Tennessee case. This second HPAI case in Tennessee does not extend the control zone in Alabama. 

The official Order Prohibiting Poultry Exhibitions and the Assembling of Poultry to be Sold issued by the ADAI on Tuesday, March 14, 2017, remains in effect. All poultry exhibitions, sales at regional and county fairs, festivals, swap meets, exotic sales and live bird markets, flea markets and auctions are prohibited until the order is lifted. In addition, the concentration, collection, or assembly of poultry of all types, including waterfowl and wild and exotic birds, from one or more premises, at a private or public place, for purposes of sale is also prohibited. Shipments of baby chicks from National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) approved facilities are not affected by this order. 

Alabama State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier reminds poultry owners to be vigilant about biosecurity. It is the department’s responsibility to protect backyard flock, exhibition, show and commercial poultry and reducing the assembly and commingling of poultry is the most effective way to do so. 

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) continues to work closely with the ADAI on a joint incident response. The U.S. has the strongest AI surveillance program in the world and USDA is working with its partners to actively look for the disease in commercial poultry operations, backyard flocks, live bird markets and in migratory wild waterfowl populations. 

This suspected strain of avian influenza does not pose a risk to the food supply. No affected animals entered the food chain. The risk of human infection with avian influenza during poultry outbreaks is very low.  

“Our department staff is diligently working to protect the health of poultry in our state,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan. “We are committed to protect the livelihoods of the many farmers in Alabama.” 

Dr. Frazier is in constant communication with USDA APHIS, neighboring state veterinarians, ADAI staff and stakeholders. He encourages commercial poultry producers and backyard flock owners to observe their birds closely and continue to practice strict biosecurity measures. These include: 

•        Isolating poultry from other animals
•        Wearing clothing designated for use only at the poultry house
•        Minimizing access to people and unsanitized equipment
•        Keeping the area around the poultry buildings clean and uninviting to wild birds and animals
•        Sanitizing the facility between flocks
•        Cleaning equipment entering and leaving the farm
•        Having an all-in, all-out policy regarding the placement and removal of the poultry
•        Properly disposing of bedding material and mortalities
•        Avoiding contact with migratory waterfowl     

 Dr. Frazier reminds all poultry owners and producers to strictly adhere to the biosecurity guidelines mentioned above.  During this time, backyard flock owners should refrain from moving birds offsite or introducing new birds. The ADAI Poultry Division is available to answer any questions concerning movement of poultry and should be notified at 334-240-6584 and/or USDA at 1-866-536-7593 if birds show unusual signs of disease (flu-like symptoms) or flocks experience unexplained mortalities.

 

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System has created a website to assist backyard flock owners with maintaining healthy birds and to provide answers for avian influenza control.  It can be found at www.AlabamaAvianInfluenza.com.

http://agi.alabama.gov/s/press-release's/update-on-premises-under-investigation-for-avian-influenza-in-alabama