North Dakota amends suspension of poultry and bird events

SEPTEMBER 8, 2022:

The North Dakota State Board of Animal Well being met yesterday and amended the statewide suspension of poultry/hen occasions. Efficient instantly, following the detection of extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), comingling occasions corresponding to poultry and hen exhibits, gross sales and swaps are prohibited within the affected county and adjoining counties.

At present, the restricted counties are Cass and the adjoining counties of Traill, Steele, Barnes, Ransom and Richland as a result of case detected final month in Cass. If no new instances emerge in 30 days after the detection, the suspension can be robotically lifted for that space.

These in non-restricted counties might once more maintain poultry and hen occasions however producers in restricted counties can not take birds to or from poultry occasions.

“As HPAI instances proceed to be a priority, the board has made the choice to take a regional strategy for addressing comingling poultry and hen occasions,” State Board of Animal Well being President Dr. Gerald Kitto mentioned.

“I applaud the board and trade working collectively to steadiness the wants of commerce whereas defending poultry producers from this devastating illness,” Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring mentioned.

Avian influenza infects many species of untamed birds and may be transmitted by direct contact with contaminated birds or contaminated meals or water. Sick and useless wild birds ought to be reported to North Dakota Sport and Fish at https://gf.nd.gov/wildlife/illnesses/mortality-report.

Extra details about avian influenza is obtainable at www.nd.gov/ndda/illness/avian-influenza and from the USDA-APHIS at www.aphis.usda.gov. Subsequent detections of HPAI in North Dakota can be posted on www.nd.gov/ndda/hpai.

AUGUST 31, 2022:

The North Dakota State College Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has confirmed the presence of extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial, yard flock in Cass County. The detection triggers the suspension of poultry/hen occasions throughout the state. If no new instances emerge in 30 days, the suspension can be robotically lifted.

The State Board of Animal Well being and the North Dakota Division of Agriculture are working intently with USDA-APHIS and native officers within the response. The premises has been quarantined and the flock is being depopulated to forestall the unfold of the illness. Birds from the flock won’t enter the meals system. Homeowners of home birds in a ten km zone across the affected farm are being instructed to forestall contact between home poultry and wild birds and to observe their flocks intently for sickness to forestall the unfold of HPAI.

“Whereas we hoped there wouldn’t be further instances this fall, as a result of in depth involvement wild birds performed within the unfold of illness this yr, we knew it was doable,” State Veterinarian Dr. Ethan Andress mentioned. “The suspension of poultry/hen occasions is a precaution to scale back the chance of additional unfold of avian influenza to North Dakota birds.”

There is no such thing as a instant public well being concern attributable to this discovering. The chance to individuals from HPAI is low regardless of the illness usually being deadly for birds.

“As farmers take to the fields this fall, they need to keep away from contact with sick or deceased wild birds and alter out of subject garments or boots when caring for their very own poultry,” Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring mentioned.

Avian influenza infects many species of untamed birds and may be transmitted by direct contact with contaminated birds or contaminated meals or water. Sick and useless wild birds ought to be reported to North Dakota Sport and Fish at https://gf.nd.gov/wildlife/illnesses/mortality-report.

Extra details about avian influenza is obtainable at www.nd.gov/ndda/illness/avian-influenza and from the USDA-APHIS at www.aphis.usda.gov. Subsequent detections of HPAI in North Dakota can be posted on www.nd.gov/ndda/hpai.