27 December 2023- The Department of Agriculture right now reminds all poultry homeowners – yard flocks and industrial producers – to maintain their guard as much as shield their birds from extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). After a lull in detections for a number of months, Pennsylvania has detected a brand new case of avian influenza in a sport chook flock in Lower Mahanoy Township, Northumberland County.
Samples from this detection are being forwarded to the USDA National Veterinary Services lab for confirmatory testing. However, the Department has labored with the premises operator to reply instantly and mitigate impression.
Poultry and eggs proceed to be fit for human consumption. Human well being shouldn’t be in danger. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, avian influenza doesn’t current a direct public well being concern.
“While the Commonwealth has not had a case of HPAI since March 17, 2023, the Shapiro Administration and industry have remained vigilant and prepared,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding stated. “In partnership with USDA and PA Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System, we quickly responded to the incident. This case is a reminder that this disease can strike anywhere, at any time, and that poultry owners must protect their birds through biosecurity and planning.”
The Department has quarantined the farm and established a Control Area across the farm. Control Areas are the ten kilometer perimeter round an contaminated, quarantined farm. Poultry homeowners in Control Areas are topic to testing necessities and should have permits to move poultry, poultry merchandise, and associated gear. Anyone inside three kilometers of the contaminated farm might not transport any poultry or egg merchandise.
Redding reminded yard chook homeowners and poultry and egg producers to remain vigilant, particularly as wild chook migration season continues.
- Practice wonderful biosecurity day by day.
- Everyone on the farm ought to clear garments, scrub boots or sneakers with disinfectant, and wash arms earlier than and after contact with animals.
- Keep gear and autos clear, together with all these coming into your property.
- Control birds and rodents who can carry and unfold illness.
- Keep your birds inside at any time when attainable and reduce the possibility of contact with wild birds.
- Clean beneath barn soffits and get rid of attainable entry factors for wild birds.
- Eliminate standing water that will appeal to wild birds.
For detailed data on biosecurity and defending your flock go to the USDA APHIS | Defend the Flock ProgramOpens In A New Window.
The commonsense, bipartisan funds Governor Shapiro signed elevated funding for the Department of Agriculture by almost 6.4%, supporting agricultural emergency preparedness and response, together with $31 million to assist poultry farmers impacted by the HPAI disaster to cowl testing prices and help with reimbursed for losses to their flocks.
These funds assist the HPAI Recovery Reimbursement Grant program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, to offer reimbursement to farms, integrators, and allied industries immediately impacted by HPAI. This covers those that incurred demonstrable monetary losses resulting from inclusion in a management or quarantine zone.
Recognize indicators of illness. Report suspected circumstances and any uncommon deaths to the division at 717-772-2852. A veterinarian is on name 24 hours a day, seven days every week.
Sick or useless wild birds must be reported to the Pennsylvania Game Commission at 610-926-3136 or [email protected].
