March 22, 2017
www.gfb.org
Vol. 35 No. 6
STATE HALTS SOME POULTRY ACTIVITIES DUE TO AVIAN INFLUENZA In response to confirmation of poultry flocks infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI)) in Tennessee and Alabama, Georgia State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Cobb ordered suspension of poultry exhibitions, shows, flea market sales and auctions, swaps and meets in Georgia on March 16. Cobb emphasized that avian influenza has not been found in Georgia The next issue of poultry, but recommended diligence in biosecurity practices by Georgia GFB News Alert poultry producers. He also noted that HPAI and LPAI do not pose food comes out safety concerns. All commercial poultry are tested prior to going to market April 5. and no affected commercial poultry enters the food chain. While backyard poultry may not be tested prior to processing, proper handling and cooking will destroy the viruses associated with HPAI and LPAI. The risk of human infection with avian influenza during poultry outbreaks is very low. Cobb urged poultry farmers to take a series of steps to prevent their flocks from being infected: • Implement strict biosecurity on all poultry premises. Everyone involved in poultry production - growers, farm workers and service personnel – should focus biosecurity methods on preventing any exposure to wild waterfowl or their droppings. Growers should keep up biosecurity at all times, especially as it relates to essential visitors and entry biosecurity; • All outdoor poultry should be moved into bio-secure housing and any contact with wild birds of any kind, especially waterfowl, their habitat, or their droppings should be avoided. If this is not possible, the Georgia Department of Agriculture should be notified; • Farmers who use rendering for dead poultry disposal should verify that the trucks are disinfected at each pick up and that the freezer area is kept clean and clutter free. Those who use rendering pick up for livestock, are asked to do the same. After visiting a rendering plant for any livestock, vehicles should be cleaned and disinfected before returning to the farm; • Take the necessary precautions around any congregation points for growers or backyard owners. Don’t wear clothes and shoes worn to work on your farm off the farm. Don’t wear shoes work off the farm into chicken houses; • Monitor all flocks for increased mortality or clinical signs consistent with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), and report any concerns immediately. The consistent clinical sign in all the current reported cases to this point has been a marked rapid increase in mortality over several days; • Enroll in the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP); • Please contact the HPAI hotline for reporting of sick birds or for questions related to HPAI. Georgia Department of Agriculture www.ga-ai.org (855) 491-1432 Georgia Poultry Laboratory www.gapoultrylab.org (770) 766-6850.