MDA urges poultry farmers take bio-security measures

The first official day of fall is in one week (September 27) and with the cooler temperatures, come the risk of High Path Avian Influenza (“HPAI”) according to the  Maryland Department of Agriculture (“MDA”).

Officials tell us HPAI is not a threat to humans but apparently when it gets colder, Maryland poultry growers are at a higher risk of seeing the virus destroy their flocks. We’re told this is because it’s generally carried by migratory water-fowl, such as ducks and geese, which begin their migration in September.    

State agriculture officials say bio-security measures are the best steps towards prevention, which include covering and securing feed from wild birds, rodents and other animals and restricting access to poultry flocks in general.

Maryland secretary of agriculture Joe Bartenfelder says there is not a single part of Maryland that is at higher risk than another part of the state, so it’s important that all farmers take proactive measures.

“All parts are at risk,” Says Bartenfelder, “But of course we know how important the bird industry is to our eastern shore economy, so we need to make sure we don’t get devastated there by it.”

As a proactive step towards prevention, we’re told the MDA prohibited poultry exhibitions at all fairs and shows after August 25th.

They’ve also reportedly issued an order requiring all out-of-state hatching eggs and poultry to be tested within ten days or come from clean sources.

For more information on avian flu, click here.