REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) reports that bird flu has been detected in a backyard flock in Ashland County and a commercial chicken flock in Defiance County.
The detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) do not represent an immediate public health concern, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No human cases have been detected in the United States. The findings of HPAI in Ohio were confirmed by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS).
The ODA says state officials have quarantined the affected areas, while birds on the properties will be "depopulated" to prevent the spread of the disease. Federal and state officials are working jointly on additional surveillance and testing in areas around the affected flocks.
According to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, HPAI is a highly contagious virus that spreads quickly and can be fatal to flocks and devastating to poultry owners, both commercial and non-commercial. HPAI can infect poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl) and is carried by free flying waterfowl such as ducks, geese, and shorebirds.
The USDA says HPAI cannot be transmitted through properly cooked meats or eggs. Products from any HPAI-affected flocks are prohibited from entering the food system. As a reminder, the proper handling and cooking of all poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F is recommended as a general food safety precaution.
The ODA has put together a list of helpful tips to prevent the spread of HPAI:
- Prevent contact with wild birds and waterfowl. Keep birds indoors when possible.
- Keep visitors to essential personnel only. Only allow those who care for your poultry to have contact with them and make sure they follow biosecurity principles.
- Wash your hands before and after contact with live poultry. Use soap and water. If using a hand sanitizer, first remove manure, feathers, and other materials from your hands.
- Provide disposable boot covers (preferred) and/or disinfectant footbaths for anyone having contact with your flock. If using a footbath, remove all droppings, mud or debris from boots and shoes using a long-handled brush before stepping in. Always keep it clean.
- Establish a rodent and pest control program. Deliver, store, and maintain feed, ingredients, bedding, and litter to limit exposure to and contamination from wild animals.
- Use drinking water sourced from a contained supply (well or municipal system). Do not use surface water for drinking or cleaning.
- Clean and disinfect tools and equipment before moving them to a new poultry facility. Trucks, tractors, tools, and equipment should be cleaned and disinfected prior to entering or exiting the property. Do not move or reuse anything that cannot be cleaned.
- Look for signs of illness. Monitor egg production and death loss, discoloration and/or swelling of legs, wattles and combs, labored breathing, reduced feed/water consumption.
If you notice any symptoms or unexpected deaths in your flock, report them immediately to either the Ohio Poultry Association (614-882-6111), or the Ohio Department of Agriculture (regular business hours: 614-728-6220; after hours: 888-456-3405).
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