The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the state Emergency Management Agency are warning poultry owners in the state to take immediate steps to prevent the spread of bird flu.
The US Agriculture Department’s animal health and plant inspection service has confirmed the presence of what has been called Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or HPAI in commercial flocks in Virginia. HPAI has already directly impacted 25 commercial and 10 backyard flocks in Pennsylvania, causing a loss of over 4.3 million birds, with the first HPAI case in Pennsylvania confirmed in November of last year. In a joint statement, both agencies said that HPAI is very contagious and can make wild and domesticated birds very sick and lead to death
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HPAI detections do not present an immediate public health concern. No human cases of these avian influenza viruses have been detected in the U.S.
Both commercial producers and backyard flock owners can take some steps to prevent HPAI’s spread. This includes bolstering the biosecurity plan that owners would have in place, keeping poultry away from areas frequented by wildfoul, maintain sanitation of property, clothes, equipment and footwear, and to look for symptoms of HPAI. Symptoms include
- Sudden death without clinical signs
- Lack of energy and appetite
- Decreased egg production or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs
- Swelling of head, comb, eyelid, wattles, and hocks
- Purple discoloration of wattles, comb, and legs
- Nasal discharge, coughing, and sneezing
- Incoordination
- Diarrhea
Anyone who suspects that poultry is infected can call the Department’s Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services at 717-772-2852 and select option 1
