32 States Confirm Flocks Infected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in three additional states: Alaska, Oklahoma, and Vermont.

As of May 3, 2022, the USDA reported 32 states with over 36.6 million wild bird infections impacting 164 commercial flocks this year.

Avian influenza (AI) is caused by an influenza type A virus that 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.

State officials immediately quarantine affected premises, and birds are depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease.

APHIS is authorized to provide indemnity payments to producers for birds and eggs that must be depopulated during a disease response. And APHIS also provides compensation for disposal activities and virus elimination activities.

According to the U.S. CDC, the public health risk associated with AI detections in birds remains low since AI-infected birds do not enter the food system.

However, as of April 23, 2022, about 2,500 people have been monitored for HPAI symptoms following exposure to infected birds.

Colorado reported the first influenza A (H5) virus infection in a person at a commercial farm in Montrose County on April 28, 2022.

In the event of a 'bird flu' influenza pandemic, the Audenz monovalent, adjuvanted, cell-based inactivated influenza (H5N1) vaccine is designed to protect individuals.

Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov.

And previous avian influenza news is posted at this weblink.

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