Agriculture officials ask poultry farmers to stay vigilant for HPAI as fall migration begins

MARYLAND – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is warning poultry farmers to stay vigilant as fall migration season begins.

“A significant threat”

MDA is asking both commercial growers and at-home flock tenders to beef up biosecurity. The worry is that highly pathogenic avian influenza will infiltrate local farms, as wild birds make their journeys. In the most extreme cases, farms with infected birds must be depopulated.

“It’s a significant threat because we have to assume that the wild bird populations do carry some of the virus,” said MDA Secretary Kevin Atticks. “If one bird in one chicken house becomes infected, that bird becomes infectious within hours and that will spread throughout the flock.”

On the Eastern Shore, Secretary Atticks says many facilities are within proximity. The industry is also intertwined through the services it requires to keep the birds healthy and growing—take for example a feed truck that visits multiple farms in one day, Secretary Atticks says.

“If the infection somehow makes it onto the tires or the treads or into the feed, you could see how quickly this could be devastating not just for one farmer or grower, but for an entire industry and region.”

Steps Farmers Should Take

There are several steps that MDA is asking commercial growers and backyard bird lovers to take to prevent the spread of the virus:

• Restrict access to poultry. MDA officials suggest posting signage, securing the area with a gate, or both.
• Take steps to ensure that contaminated materials on the ground are not carried into the poultry growing house or area.
• Provide footbaths, foot mats with disinfectant, boot washing and disinfectant station, and footwear change or foot covers to anyone who enters the facility.
• Cover and secure feed.
• Cover and properly contain carcasses, used litter, or other organic materials that may carry disease.
• Report any unusual bird deaths or sudden increases in very sick birds to the MDA Animal Health Program. They can be contacted at 410-841-5810, or at 410-841-5971 after hours. The USDA can also be contacted at 866-536-7593.

Staying Vigilant With Other Species

Meanwhile, Maryland officials are also staying vigilant for signs of bird flu in other animals. In recent months, the virus has been detected in lactating dairy herds in 14 states. Human infections have also been reported.

While no such infections have been recorded in Maryland or its contiguous neighbors, Secretary Atticks says the threat should be taken seriously.

“We require additional testing as animals are becoming in and out of the state. And, it’s fair season, still. So, we have animals moving in and out to go to county fairs, and we just wrapped up our state fair,” Secretary Atticks said. “Everybody is working to make sure that we’re keeping this virus out, but we’re not resting on our laurels. If any animal seems to be ill, we are testing.”

Looking Ahead

The Secretary is also urging consumers not to change their buying habits out of fear of bird flu. Chicken is safe to eat, and milk safe to consume, he said. “We do everything we can, as does the USDA and FDA, to make sure that certainly if and when there is an infection, those animals don’t reach the market.”

Looking ahead, Secretary Atticks asks all Marylanders to be respectful of their poultry-growing neighbors, and any biosecurity steps they may have taken to protect their farms.

“That’s someone’s livelihood, and more than that, it’s an industry that’s reliant upon biosecurity measures,” Secretary Atticks said. “So, just appreciate that it’s a business and a couple of times a year we have to be heightened in our awareness.”

For more information on avian influenza, visit the MDA website.