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H5N1 HPAI Chicken Layer Farm Lancaster01 County Pennsylvania

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H5H1 Chicken Layers Lancaster PA 4/16/22

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 commercial layer chicken flock in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and a non-commercial backyard flock (non-poultry) in Utah County, Utah.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2022/hpai-ut-pa

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USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Pennsylvania and Utah

Published: Apr 16, 2022

photo of commercial chicken flock

Contacts:
[email protected]

WASHINGTON, April 16, 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 commercial layer chicken flock in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and a non-commercial backyard flock (non-poultry) in Utah County, Utah.

Samples from the Pennsylvania flock were tested at the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory and samples from the Utah flock were tested at the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, both part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. The cases were confirmed at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa.

APHIS is working closely with state animal health officials in Pennsylvania and Utah 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. Birds from the flocks will not enter the food system.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI 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 all poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F is recommended as a general food safety precaution.

As part of existing avian influenza response plans, Federal and State partners are working jointly on additional surveillance and testing in areas around 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. OIE trade guidelines also call on member countries to not impose bans on the international trade of poultry commodities in response to notifications in non-poultry.

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.

 

niman Grand Master

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The positive samples were taken from a flock in East Donegal Township, Lancaster County, and tested at the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory. The finding was confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa. The department has quarantined the farm and all commercial poultry facilities within a 10-kilometer radius of the infected flock.

https://www.wgal.com/article/pa-department-of-agriculture-confirms-states-first-case-of-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-in-lancaster-county/39742313#

niman Grand Master

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Avian Influenza Confirmed in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has confirmed its first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza for the year in poultry.

A layer flock was infected in East Donegal Township, Lancaster County, the Ag Department said April 16.

USDA and the state are conducting a joint incident response. All poultry farms within 10 kilometers are quarantined, and birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Additional surveillance and testing will be conducted in the area.

Samples tested at the state veterinary lab and confirmed by USDA's lab in Iowa.

Avian influenza has been spread across the country by wild fowl this spring. A handful of wild birds have tested positive for the disease in Pennsylvania — including a bald eagle found dead in Chester County last month and four ducks in Venango County.

Some 190 premises have been infected with avian influenza this year. Farm outbreaks have been centered in the Upper Midwest, but the Pennsylvania farm is the 18th on the East Coast to be infected.

The others are seven farms in the northern part of Delmarva, nine farms in North Carolina and a game bird farm on Long Island.

 

The Lancaster farm is the first to test positive in Pennsylvania since the state's major avian influenza outbreak in 1983-1984. Pennsylvania is the nation’s eighth largest poultry producer, with $1.7 billion in annual output. Lancaster County is the nation's fourth largest poultry producer.

Pennsylvania recently disallowed poultry shows as a precaution against the disease.

USDA also reported Utah's first avian influenza outbreak in domestic birds. A backyard flock was infected.

Avian influenza is not a human health concern but can cause massive losses in poultry.

https://www.lancasterfarming.com/farming/poultry/avian-influenza-confirmed-in-lancaster-county-pennsylvania/article_fa83c3be-bd80-11ec-a6b2-2b99c6f96977.html

niman Grand Master

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PA Department Of Agriculture Confirms First Case Of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza In Lancaster County

No Public Health Risk For Pennsylvanians

04/16/2022

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture confirmed the state's first positive case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in domestic poultry, in a flock of commercial layer chickens on a Lancaster County poultry farm. A state and federal interagency task force is prepared and initiating a response plan. 

While there is no risk to the public, and poultry and eggs are safe to eat if cooked properly, HPAI is highly infectious  and can be fatal to domestic birds (chickens, ducks, geese, quail, pheasants, guinea fowl and turkeys).

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and PreventionOpens In A New Window, avian influenza detections do not present an immediate public health concern. No human cases of avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States.

The positive samples were taken from a flock in East Donegal Township, Lancaster County, and tested at the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory. The finding was confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa. The department has quarantined the farm and all commercial poultry facilities within a 10-kilometer radius of the infected flock.

"Protecting Pennsylvania's $7.1 billion poultry industry is a year-round top priority," said PA Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. "We have strict biosecurity protocols in place both for Pennsylvania farms, and for poultry products shipped in and out of the state. We have had $2 million budgeted and set aside since 2016 to respond to avian influenza, in addition to equipment, supplies, laboratories and highly trained experts who have been on high alert and are supporting our poultry farmers.

"There is no immediate public health concern for Pennsylvanians, and we are prepared to respond to this agricultural issue. However, wild birds carry the virus and do not respect property or state lines," he added. "Anyone visiting a farm should be aware that your vehicles and shoes may carry the virus from other places you have walked. Clean them thoroughly and stay away from poultry barns unless you have to be there. Please be vigilant and do your part to protect our farms."

An interagency HPAI task force works regularly to address the threat of disease to Pennsylvania's wild and domestic bird populations. The task force includes the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the departments of Agriculture, Health, General Services and Environmental Protection, the State Police, the Game Commission, the Air National Guard, and U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS) Veterinary Services and Wildlife Services.

The task force will carry out the response plan, which includes education and public outreach, and minimizing risk factors though strict biosecurity measures and continued surveillance, testing, and management.

This is the first confirmed case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Pennsylvania in commercial poultry since an outbreak in 1983-'84. As of April 15, 2022, infected birds in commercial and backyard poultry flocks had been confirmed in 27 states including most states surrounding Pennsylvania. USDA's website includes a complete listing of confirmed domestic poultry infectionsOpens In A New Window as well as those in wild birds. Genetic analysis of samples taken in other U.S. states has shown that the virus is being spread by infected wild birds. Wild birds in Pennsylvania were confirmed to be infected in March, including a bald eagle in Chester County and four ducks in Venango County.

Pennsylvania's three animal health laboratories analyzed nearly 200,000 samples for avian influenza last year. The laboratories, which make up the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System, have the capacity to test many more samples, if necessary.

The department has reviewed procedures, inventoried supplies and protective equipment in preparation for HPAI, and has held monthly meetings with poultry producers, veterinarians, USDA officials and other stakeholders monthly, escalating to bi-monthly in February as infections were detected among migrating wild birds.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is mainly spread through direct contact between healthy birds and bodily waste from infected birds. The disease can cause sudden death without clinical signs; lack of energy and appetite; decreased egg production; soft-shelled or misshapen eggs; swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks; purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs; nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, lack of coordination and diarrhea.

If you suspect your poultry is infected with avian influenza, please report your concerns 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services at 717-772-2852, option 1.

Sick or dead wild birds should be reported to the Pennsylvania Game Commission at 610-926-3136 or [email protected]. For more information about avian influenza, visit the department's website, agriculture.pa.gov.  For a complete listing of confirmed infectionsOpens In A New Window in the U.S. and detailed information on biosecurity visit the USDA's website here USDA APHIS | Defend the Flock ProgramOpens In A New Window.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Shannon Powers – [email protected]

https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Agriculture_details.aspx?newsid=1203

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LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. —

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is on high alert for the avian flu after the first case in nearly four decades was found in Lancaster County over the weekend.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture confirmed the state's first positive case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in domestic poultry in a flock of commercial layer chickens on a poultry farm in East Donegal Township.

The 1.4 million chickens at the Kreider Farms location have been destroyed.

https://www.wgal.com/article/bird-flu-found-lancaster-county-pennsylvania/39749113

niman Grand Master

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Kreider Farms statement

Tom Beachler, vice president of operations at Kreider Farms, released the following statement:

"Kreider Farms, along with state and USDA officials, has been working round the clock to reduce the risk of further spread of the Avian Influenza. The loss of birds at this site represents 15% of our egg layers. Fortunately, we are still able to fill customer egg orders from our other remaining locations which have all tested negative for the virus. While our site situation is under control we are aware that this year's Avian Influenza is very transmittable in wild birds and still represents a very large threat to the nation's commercial egg, broiler, and turkey flocks."

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