Extra Extremely Contagious Avian Flu Discovered at Alabama Hen Farm

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — After confirming the presence of extremely pathogenic avian flu in a flock of chickens, practically 48,000 birds had been killed at a north Alabama farm, state agriculture officers mentioned.

A Marshall County industrial pullet farm — one which raises chicks from hatching till they’re prepared to provide eggs, when they’re moved to a laying barn — was positioned underneath quarantine after samples had been confirmed constructive for HPAI, the Alabama Division of Agriculture & Industries introduced Friday.

HPAI is very contagious to birds however thought-about low threat to people and the virus is just not thought-about a menace to meals security, the division mentioned.

“It’s essential for industrial and yard poultry operations to stay alert and carefully monitor the well being of their poultry,” Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate and State Veterinarian Tony Frazier mentioned in a joint assertion. “The HPAI contaminated flock in Marshall County reinforces the necessity to proceed following strict biosecurity measures, together with holding birds enclosed with out entry to wild birds or different home flocks.”

All poultry inside a 6.2-mile (10-kilometer) radius of the farm are being examined and monitored, al.com reported. Nonetheless, no different flocks have skilled an uptick in deaths, the information web site reviews.

HPAI signs in birds embody a sudden improve in hen deaths within the flock; watery and inexperienced diarrhea; lack of power and poor urge for food and a drop in egg manufacturing or delicate or thin-shelled, misshaped eggs.

The detection of the virus in Marshall County comes per week after HPAI was confirmed in an upland gamebird farm in Chilton County. All poultry there — practically 296,500 birds — had been affected and all might be killed, the division mentioned.

It was not instantly clear if the circumstances at each farms had been related.

The division urged the industrial poultry trade and yard flock homeowners to extend biosecurity measures to guard their operations from HPAI by, amongst different issues, cleansing autos and tools; altering garments upon contact with birds and limiting pointless guests.

Sick or lifeless wild birds ought to be reported to the Alabama Division of Pure Sources and Conservation, whereas sick or lifeless home birds and poultry ought to be reported to the Alabama Division of Agriculture and Industries’ Poultry Unit.

Copyright 2023 Related Press. All rights reserved. This materials might not be revealed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Subjects
Agribusiness
Alabama