Recent laboratory tests confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in three additional states - Pennsylvania, Idaho, and Utah - with losses in domestic flocks nearing 27.4 million birds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The first outbreak in Pennsylvania, at an egg farm in Lancaster County, was announced two days after the state banned poultry shows at county and local fairs for 60 days.
“High path” bird flu has been found in 29 states, from Maine to North Carolina and westward into the Rockies, since outbreaks began in early February. Idaho and Utah are the farthest west that HPAI has been found so far — in two backyard flocks in southern Idaho and in a backyard flock in Utah County, Utah, 45 miles south of Salt Lake City.
This year’s outbreaks are the first appearance of HPAI in two years and the worst since the 2014-15 epidemic that killed more than 50 million birds, mostly egg-laying hens and turkeys. The viral disease can wipe out a flock quickly, so agricultural officials are ruthless in culling infected flocks in hopes of preventing the spread of the disease. Wild birds can spread HPAI through their droppings and it can be carried by contaminated vehicles, equipment and clothing.
“Anyone visiting a farm should be aware that your vehicles and shoes may carry the virus from other places you have walked,” said Pennsylvania state Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “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.”
Outbreaks on 89 turkey farms have killed 3.8 million birds. HPAI also was found among 63 backyard flocks. Most involved small numbers of birds, but the largest was 22,000 “backyard mixed species (poultry),” in Cascade County, Montana, on April 7.
Bird flu has been found among backyard flocks, but not commercial flocks, in 13 of the 29 states with outbreaks: Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.
Editor’s Take:
At one time, we were hopeful that the U.S. could avoid the deadly HPAI disease. Unfortunately, it is difficult or, in most instances, impossible to control wild birds who spread the disease. The consequences have been even worse than expected. Millions of egg laying hens have been eliminated along with several turkey flocks. The economic impact at the farm level is devastating enough, but the overall effect for consumers brought on by inflationary pressures created by these additional shortages is truly unfortunate. The shortages due to HPAI are only adding fuel to an already out of control inflationary fire!
