MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial broiler farm in Cullman County and in a backyard flock in Pickens County.
Samples from the flocks were tested and confirmed positive at the Alabama State Diagnostic Laboratory in Auburn, Ala., part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network.
APHIS is working closely with state animal health officials in Alabama on a joint incident response and action plan. State officials quarantined the affected premises, and all birds on the properties (approximately 116,000 in Cullman and approximately 70 in Pickens) were depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. All poultry within a 10-kilometer radius (6.2 miles) of the commercial Cullman site are being tested and monitored.
As part of existing avian influenza response plans, federal and state partners are working on additional surveillance and testing in areas around the affected flocks. The United States has the strongest AI surveillance program in the world. ADAI and USDA are actively monitoring for the disease in commercial poultry operations, backyard flocks, live bird markets and in migratory wild bird populations.
HPAI is considered low risk to human health according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, but is highly contagious to other birds, including commercial and backyard flocks of poultry. While the virus is also not considered a food safety threat, infected birds do not enter the food supply.
ADAI Commissioner Rick Pate and State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier release the following statement, “It is critical for commercial and backyard poultry operations to remain alert and closely monitor the health of their poultry. The detection of HPAI in Cullman and Pickens Counties reinforces the need to continue following strict biosecurity measures, including keeping birds enclosed without access to wild birds or other domestic flocks.”
HPAI symptoms include:
- Sudden increase in bird deaths in your flock
- Sneezing, gasping for air, coughing and nasal discharge
- Watery and green diarrhea
- Lack of energy and poor appetite
- Drop in egg production or soft or thin-shelled, misshaped eggs
- Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles and hocks
- Purple discoloration of the wattles, comb and legs
- Ruffled feathers, listlessness and lethargy
ADAI urges the commercial poultry industry and backyard flock owners to increase biosecurity measures to protect their operations from HPAI.
Biosecurity measures can include:
- Cleaning vehicles and equipment
- Limiting unnecessary visitors
- Sanitizing shoes in clean foot baths
- Changing clothes upon contact with birds and more.
People should avoid contact with sick/dead poultry or wildlife. If contact occurs, wash your hands and change clothing before having any contact with poultry and wild birds. For information on biosecurity measures, visit http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov.
Report sick or dead wild birds to the Alabama Department of Natural Resources and Conservation at 334-242-3469.
Report sick or dead domestic birds and poultry to ADAI’s Poultry Unit at 334-240-6584.
More information about HPAI or detections can be found at www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/2022-hpai.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) confirms two positive cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) detected in horses in Covington and Mobile counties.
EEE is a mosquito-transmitted disease that is more severe than West Nile Virus (WNV). The mortality rate in horses from WNV is reported at around 30 percent, while the rate for EEE is almost 90 percent.
Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate strongly advises horse owners to vaccinate for EEE and WNV. These diseases can pose a significant threat to equine health, and vaccination is the most effective way to protect horses from these potentially fatal illnesses.
“Mosquito-borne viruses like EEE and WNV are prevalent in Alabama’s warm and wet climate,” said Commissioner Pate. “I want to encourage horse owners to take these precautionary measures and vaccinate their horses.”
These viruses cause inflammation or swelling of the brain and spinal cord. General symptoms include central nervous system signs such as head pressing, convulsions, lack of response to facial stimulation, fever above 103 degrees, ataxia, paralysis, anorexia, depression and stupor. Other symptoms may include irregular gait, teeth grinding, circling and staggering. An infected horse may not exhibit all symptoms.
“We recommend vaccinating your horses every six months against both EEE and WNV,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier. “Horse owners are encouraged to contact their local veterinarian to schedule a vaccination.”
In addition to vaccination, performing these preventative measures can reduce the risk of EEE and WNV:
- Reduce Mosquito Exposure: Use insect repellents, keep horses indoors during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and utilize fans to reduce mosquito landing rates.
- Eliminate Standing Water: Remove or regularly change standing water sources where mosquitoes can breed, such as water troughs, buckets and old tires.
- Monitor Health: Regularly check horses for signs of illness listed above and consult a veterinarian immediately if symptoms of EEE or WNV are observed.
For more information about EEE or WNV related to animals, please contact the State Veterinarian’s office at 334-240-7253.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial pullet farm in Marshall County, Alabama.
Samples from the flock were tested at the Alabama State Diagnostic Laboratory, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, and confirmed positive at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa.
APHIS is working closely with state animal health officials in Alabama on a joint incident response and action plan. State officials quarantined the affected premise, and all birds on the property (approximately 47,900) were depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease.
All poultry within a 10-kilometer radius (6.2 miles) of the site are being tested and monitored. Currently, no other flocks have experienced an increase in mortality.
Last week, HPAI was also confirmed in a commercial upland gamebird farm in Chilton County. All poultry (pheasants, quail, ducks and chukars) on this premise will be depopulated by week’s end. A total of 296,500 birds were affected.
As part of existing avian influenza response plans, Federal and State partners are working on additional surveillance and testing in areas around the affected flocks. The United States has the strongest AI surveillance program in the world. ADAI and USDA are actively monitoring for the disease in commercial poultry operations, backyard flocks, live bird markets and in migratory wild bird populations.
HPAI is considered low risk to human health according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, but is highly contagious to other birds, including commercial and backyard flocks of poultry. While the virus is also not considered a food safety threat, infected birds do not enter the food supply.
ADAI Commissioner Rick Pate and State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier release the following statement, “It is critical for commercial and backyard poultry operations to remain alert and closely monitor the health of their poultry. The HPAI infected flock in Marshall County reinforces the need to continue following strict biosecurity measures, including keeping birds enclosed without access to wild birds or other domestic flocks.”
HPAI symptoms include:
- Sudden increase in bird deaths in your flock
- Sneezing, gasping for air, coughing and nasal discharge
- Watery and green diarrhea
- Lack of energy and poor appetite
- Drop in egg production or soft or thin-shelled, misshaped eggs
- • Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
- Purple discoloration of the wattles, comb and legs
- Ruffled feathers, listlessness and lethargy
ADAI urges the commercial poultry industry and backyard flock owners to increase biosecurity measures to protect their operations from HPAI.
Biosecurity measures can include:
- Cleaning vehicles and equipment
- Limiting unnecessary visitors
- Sanitizing shoes in clean foot baths
- Changing clothes upon contact with birds and more
People should avoid contact with sick/dead poultry or wildlife. If contact occurs, wash your hands and change clothing before having any contact with poultry and wild birds. For information on biosecurity measures, visit http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov.
Report sick or dead wild birds to the Alabama Department of Natural Resources and Conservation at 334-242-3469.
Report sick or dead domestic birds and poultry to ADAI’s Poultry Unit at 334-240-6584.
More information about HPAI or detections can be found at www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/2022-hpai.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) and the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial backyard flock (non-poultry) in Lawrence County, Alabama.
Samples from the flock were tested at the Alabama State Diagnostic Laboratories, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, and confirmed at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa.
APHIS is working closely with state animal health officials in Alabama on a joint incident response. State officials quarantined the affected premises, and birds on the property were depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system.
As part of existing avian influenza response plans, Federal and State partners are working on additional surveillance and testing in areas around the affected flock. The United States has the strongest AI surveillance program in the world. ADAI and USDA are actively looking for the disease in commercial poultry operations, live bird markets and in migratory wild bird populations.
HPAI is considered low risk to human health according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, but is highly contagious to other birds, including commercial and backyard flocks of poultry. While the virus is also not considered a food safety threat, infected birds do not enter the food supply.
Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate and State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier release the following statement, “It is critical for commercial and backyard poultry operations to remain alert and closely monitor the health of their poultry. The HPAI infected flock in Lawrence County reinforces the need to continue following strict biosecurity measures, including keeping birds enclosed without access to wild birds or other domestic flocks.”
HPAI symptoms include:
- Sudden increase in bird deaths in your flock
- Sneezing, gasping for air, coughing and nasal discharge
- Watery and green diarrhea
- Lack of energy and poor appetite
- Drop in egg production or soft or thin-shelled, misshaped eggs
- Swelling around the eyes, neck and head
- Purple discoloration of the wattles, comb and legs
- Ruffled feathers, listlessness and lethargy
Report sick or dead wild birds to the Alabama Department of Natural Resources and Conservation at 334-242-3469.
For information on biosecurity measures, visit http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov.
Report sick or dead domestic birds and poultry to ADAI’s Poultry Unit at 334-240-6584.
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.
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.
Reporting:
Hobby/backyard poultry owners are strongly encouraged to practice strict biosecurity and be aware of the signs of avian influenza and report illness and/or death to the USDA Healthy Birds Hotline at 866-536-7593 or Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Poultry Unit at 1-800-642-7761 Ext. 6584. Callers will be routed to a state or federal veterinarian in Alabama for a case assessment. Dead birds should be double-bagged and refrigerated for possible testing. Signs include the following: sudden death without clinical signs; lack of energy or appetite; decreased egg production; soft-shelled or misshapen eggs; swelling or purple discoloration of head, eyelids, comb, hocks; nasal discharge; coughing; sneezing; incoordination; and diarrhea. Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at https://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov.
INDIANAPOLIS (9 February 2022)—The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) has been notified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory that poultry from a commercial turkey farm in Dubois County has tested positive for highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza.
Avian influenza does not present a food safety risk; poultry and eggs are safe to eat when handled and cooked properly. No human cases of avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States.
A veterinarian delivered samples from the flock to the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University for testing after approximately one hundred birds died. The farm is under quarantine. BOAH is actively working with the industry to increase monitoring of flocks statewide.
This finding is the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in commercial poultry in the United States since 2020. HPAI was last identified in commercial flocks in Indiana in 2016.
Indiana’s poultry industry ranks third nationally in turkey production, first in duck production, second in table eggs and egg-laying chickens, and is a significant producer of broiler chickens. The poultry industry employs more than 14,000 Hoosiers and is valued at $2.5 billion.
REPORTING
Hobby/backyard poultry owners are strongly encouraged to practice strict biosecurity and be aware of the signs of avian influenza and report illness and/or death to the USDA Healthy Birds Hotline at 866-536-7593 or Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Poultry Unit at 1-800-642-7761 Ext. 6584. Callers will be routed to a state or federal veterinarian in Alabama for a case assessment. Dead birds should be double-bagged and refrigerated for possible testing.
Signs include the following: sudden death without clinical signs; lack of energy or appetite; decreased egg production; soft-shelled or misshapen eggs; swelling or purple discoloration of head, eyelids, comb, hocks; nasal discharge; coughing; sneezing; incoordination; and diarrhea. A great resource for backyard bird health information is online at: www.aphis.usda.gov