niman Posted February 15, 2022 Report Share Posted February 15, 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 birds in a backyard flock of mixed species birds in Fauquier County, Virginia. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2022/hpai-ky-va-flocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niman Posted February 15, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2022 USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in a Flock of Commercial Broiler Chickens in Kentucky and Backyard Mixed Species Flock in Virginia Published: Feb 14, 2022 Print Contacts: Mike Stepien [email protected] Lyndsay Cole [email protected] WASHINGTON, February 14, 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 birds in two states – a flock of commercial broiler chickens in Fulton County, Kentucky, and a backyard flock of mixed species birds in Fauquier County, Virginia. Samples from two Kentucky flocks were tested at the Breathitt Veterinary Center Laboratory and samples from the affected Virginia flock were tested at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Harrisonburg Regional Animal Health Laboratory, both part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. The Virginia and Fulton County, Kentucky cases were confirmed at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa. The Breathitt Veterinary Center Laboratory also obtained a non-negative avian influenza test result on the samples from a Webster County turkey flock, and NVSL confirmation is pending. APHIS is working closely with state animal health officials in Kentucky and Virginia on joint incident responses. State officials quarantined the affected premises, and birds on the properties will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Depopulation is complete in Virginia. Birds from the flocks will not enter the food system. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these avian influenza detections do not present an immediate public health concern. No human cases of these avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States. As a reminder, the proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F kills bacteria and viruses. As part of existing avian influenza response plans, Federal and State partners are working jointly on additional surveillance and testing in areas around the affected flocks. The United States 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, live bird markets and in migratory wild bird populations. Anyone involved with poultry production from the small backyard to the large commercial producer should review their biosecurity activities to assure the health of their birds. APHIS has materials about biosecurity, including videos, checklists, and a toolkit available at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/defend-the-flock-program/dtf-resources/dtf-resources USDA will report these findings to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) as well as international trading partners. USDA also continues to communicate with trading partners to encourage adherence to OIE standards and minimize trade impacts. OIE trade guidelines call on countries to base trade restrictions on sound science and, whenever possible, limit restrictions to those animals and animal products within a defined region that pose a risk of spreading disease of concern. APHIS will continue to announce the first case of HPAI in commercial and backyard flocks detected in a State but will not announce subsequent detections in the State. All cases in commercial and backyard flocks will be listed on the APHIS website at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/2022-hpai In addition to practicing good biosecurity, all bird owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through their state veterinarian or through APHIS’ toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593. APHIS urges producers to consider bringing birds indoors when possible to further prevent exposures. The Animal Health Protection Act authorizes APHIS to provide indemnity payments to producers for birds and eggs that must be depopulated during a disease response. APHIS also provides compensation for disposal activities and virus elimination activities. Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov. Additional background Avian influenza (AI) is caused by an influenza type A virus which can infect poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl) and is carried by free flying waterfowl such as ducks, geese and shorebirds. AI viruses are classified by a combination of two groups of proteins: hemagglutinin or “H” proteins, of which there are 16 (H1–H16), and neuraminidase or “N” proteins, of which there are 9 (N1–N9). Many different combinations of “H” and “N” proteins are possible. Each combination is considered a different subtype and can be further broken down into different strains which circulate within flyways/geographic regions. AI viruses are further classified by their pathogenicity (low or high)—the ability of a particular virus strain to produce disease in domestic poultry. # USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov. # USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niman Posted February 18, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2022 (edited) USDA: Bird flu found in Virginia backyard flock, 71 animals killed to prevent spread After finding highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Kentucky and Virginia flocks, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said the flocks would be "depopulated." Kentucky confirms one case of bird flu FAUQUIER COUNTY, Va. — Editor's Note: The video above is from WUSA's sister station WBIR in Kentucky after a case of bird flu was detected on Feb. 14. A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) -- or bird flu-- was detected in flocks in two states, including Virginia, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). A backyard flock in Fauquier County tested positive for the disease and had to be humanely killed Saturday to prevent any spread. The Virginia flock included 71 chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks "All it takes is one infected bird, and the disease can spread from flock to flock within a matter of days," the USDA says on why birds infected with HPAI must be quickly disposed of. "As with any highly contagious animal disease, a quick and early response is our best chance to limit the size and scope of the outbreak." Samples from the infected flock were tested by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at a lab in Harrisonburg. Here are a few symptoms of birds infected with avian flu: Lack of energy and appetite Decreased egg production or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs Swelling of head, comb, eyelid, wattles, and hocks Purple discoloration of wattles, comb, and legs Nasal discharge, coughing, and sneezing Incoordination Diarrhea Sudden death without clinical signs Ohio farmers on alert as bird flu spreads in nearby states In a news release Monday, the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) ensured the public that "depopulation" was complete in Virginia and said no bird from the infected flock would make it into the food system. "As part of existing avian influenza response plans, Federal and State partners are working jointly on additional surveillance and testing in areas around the affected flocks," the release said. "The United States 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, live bird markets and in migratory wild bird populations." According to APHIS, there are two humane methods of depopulation in emergency health situations, both of which are conducted under the APHIS supervision: water-based foam for floor-raised birds and carbon dioxide gas for caged birds. The CO2 method was used in Virginia. https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/virginia/usda-bird-flu-backyard-flock-fauquier-countty-virginia-kentucky-indiana-avian-flu-symptoms/65-7a3dfaee-eca3-44b1-bb77-d53a11b22a6b Edited February 18, 2022 by niman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niman Posted February 21, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2022 Map Update https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/edit?mid=1E2wqF61M_F0pc9zOvoEs075hbeDW_Lot&ll=38.720251631886036%2C-77.81166279592284&z=12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niman Posted March 1, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2022 Fauquier County, Virginia 2/12/2022 Backyard Mixed Species Birds (non-poultry) 119 https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-2022/2022-hpai-commercial-backyard-flocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niman Posted March 1, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2022 map update https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/edit?mid=1E2wqF61M_F0pc9zOvoEs075hbeDW_Lot&ll=38.70686790081073%2C-77.86610089208985&z=11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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