Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, was recently identified in three more states — Missouri, Maryland and South Dakota, according to USDA. Since the first case was confirmed on February 8 on a turkey farm in southern Indiana, HPAI has been found in 21 domestic flocks in 12 states. To date, Indiana has the largest number of outbreaks — six flocks in Dubois and Greene Counties.
Nearly 1.9 million birds, mostly chickens and turkeys, have died either from the disease or from exterminations intended to prevent the spread of it. Agricultural officials act quickly and ruthlessly because “high path” bird flu can wipe out a flock swiftly. This year’s outbreaks are the first appearance of HPAI in domestic flocks in two years.
More than 50 million chickens and turkeys died in an HPAI epidemic that ran from December 2014 through June 2015. These birds accounted for about 12 percent of the U.S. table-egg laying population and 8 percent of the estimated inventory of turkeys grown for meat. In response to this historic animal-disease event, many destination markets for U.S. poultry commodities levied trade restrictions on U.S. poultry exports, distorting markets and exacerbating economic losses.
The largest loss so far in 2022 was 1.2 million “commercial poultry” in New Castle County in northern Delaware. New Castle County adjoins Cecil County, Maryland. The Maryland Department of Agriculture reported that the Federal and State surveillance and testing of birds was stepped up after the Delaware outbreak on February 22 to protect the poultry industry on the Delmarva Peninsula.
Avian influenza is highly contagious and can be spread by migratory waterfowl and their droppings but also through contact with infected poultry and by contaminated equipment and clothing of farmworkers. The virus is not considered a health risk for humans. More than 300 cases of HPAI in wild birds have been confirmed by the USDA this year.
EDITOR’S TAKE:
Your CAD team will continue to update you on this dynamic situation that has the potential to impact not only poultry producers, but consumer pocketbooks as well. If you have any poultry producers in your area, it might be worthwhile to check in to see how they are handling this situation.
