Avian Influenza

*This blog post will also published in next week's McLean County News.  Typically I wait and post on the day that our paper comes out, but I felt like this was too important to wait until next week to post.


Kentucky poultry producers are under high alert and monitoring flocks closer than ever due to the recent avian influenza outbreak in Dubois County Indiana.  First of all, I feel like I need to commend Indiana on quickly reacting to their outbreak and going to great measures to contain it.  They ran into many hiccups because of weather-related issues, but managed to still quickly humanely euthanize birds and quarantine houses and backyard flocks within the mandatory 6.21 mile radius of infected houses.

The strand of AI found in Dubois County is a low path strand and is different from the strand that caused the outbreak up north last year.  Last year’s strand found in northern states, was a high path strand that came from across seas, whereas the low path strand found in IN originated in the US (probably in wild/migratory birds).  Low path and high path refers to the ability of the virus to produce disease.  High path is much more fatal and spreads quicker than a low path strand.

Good news is that Kentucky is prepared to respond and has numerous plans in place in case of AI being detected here.  Because of the outbreak in IN, KY is also going to great measures to prevent this disease from entering our state.  Our emergency response team in KY is comprised of Cooperative Extension, the KDA, State Vet’s Office, USDA, KPF, KYEM, KDPH, KSP, KY National Guard, KY Parks, KY Transportation and the two state Diagnostic Labs.  We have the resources in KY readily available to humanely euthanize birds and quickly quarantine houses and small flocks.  

There are six major recommendations that UK Cooperative Extension suggest to help prevent avian influenza.
1. Strengthen your Biosecurity Plan.  Examine vehicle traffic and the movement of people.  Emphasize biosecurity with your employees, family and friends.  The USDA has on online biosecurity self-assessment tool for poultry producers that I strong recommend you take the time to review.  That can be found at: http://www.thepoultryfederation.com/news/usda-releases-biosecurity-self-assessment-tool-for-poultry-producers
2. Bird proof your poultry houses.  Wild birds can be carriers of AI.
3. Discourage migratory birds from residing on farm ponds.  Remove feed sources and create disturbances through non-lethal means.
4. Examine your farm and select a location to set up a truck washing station.  The site should preferably be away from the poultry houses and residences.
5. Examine your farm for potential burial sites for large quantities of birds.  If you have any questions of a potential site, ask the NRCS for assistance.
6. Many poultry producers and employees (and their family and friends) are also hunters.  As you venture into the woods and fields, you need to follow strict biosecurity measures when returning home and to the poultry houses.  Follow proper sanitation procedures of vehicles, clothing, footwear and headwear.

When working to strengthen your Biosecurity Plan, these measures should be put into place:
1. Clean and disinfect premises, vehicles and equipment.  Dispose of materials that cannot be disinfected in an appropriate manner.
2. Account for the movement of all poultry, livestock and equipment for accurate records.
3. Provide a location for all individuals to carry out appropriate cleaning and disinfection procedures and insist these measures be followed.
4. Ensure that housed poultry remained housed and that entry of rodents, ground water and live birds be prevented.
5. Present close or direct contact between poultry and all outside animal species.

Please keep in mind that when discussing this issue with non-poultry producers please stress the importance of biosecurity measures.  Also everyone needs to understand that avian influenza IS NOT transmittable to humans and no birds that have AI or that are in a 6.21 miles radius of infected birds will enter our food source.  Therefore, poultry meat and eggs are completely safe to consume.

Due to the increased threat of AI, the previously amended poultry movement restrictions are rescinded and poultry movements are restricted as follows:
• All poultry comingling sales events are banned. These include, but are not restricted to, stockyards, flea markets, swap meets.
• The sale of poultry shall not be allowed at any fair or show.
• Private sale with direct farm to farm movement within Kentucky is allowed in accordance with 302 KAR 20:065.
• Entry of non-commercial/backyard (NC/BY) poultry into Kentucky for sale is restricted to NPIP “Avian Influenza H5/H7 Clean” or “AI Clean” facilities.  Entry of NC/BY from facilities within a HPAI control zone is banned.
• Entry of NC/BY poultry from certified NPIP facilities within an HPAI affected state must also meet 302 KAR 20:250 requirements.
• Entry of NC/BY poultry from an affected state for private sale or movement must be permitted by the Office of the State Veterinarian and will be considered on a case by case basis.
• Game bird permit applications must originate from a NPIP facility that meets the requirements listed in d. and e. of this memo.  Additionally, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources requires that a transportation permit be obtained from them.
• Exhibition events, shows, and fairs are restricted to in-state poultry movement only.  No entry from out of state is allowed for exhibition purposes.  All poultry presented for exhibition shall be subject to inspection by Kentucky Department of Agriculture personnel.

If you suspect AI on your farm, whether it be commercial or a backyard flock, please contact the State Veterinarian Office immediately at (502)573-0282.

Also, if you come to the Extension Office there are pans at both the front door and the Ag office door to dip boots/shoes in disinfectant.  Everyone is asked to do so, even if you do not operate a poultry farm.  The disinfectant will not harm your shoes.

If you would like more information on Avian Influenza, please contact the McLean County Cooperative Extension Office at (270)273-3690.  Educational programs of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Upcoming Ag Events:
Jan 27th Owensboro Ag Expo (Grain Day), Owensboro Convention Center
Jan 28th 8:30am, Hemp Production Meeting
Jan 29th 8am, Winter Round Table Series- Grain Sorghum Production
Jan 29th 10am, Pesticide Training
Feb 1st-3rd 9am-Noon Ag Marketing, Risk Management & Economics Series
Feb 4th CPH Sale
Feb 8th 5pm, Ag Festival Committee Meeting