North Carolina achieves HPAI-free status – The Richmond Observer

RALEIGH – North Carolina has been designated Excessive Path Avian Influenza-free by the World Group for Animal Well being. This designation signifies that the state can resume exports and worldwide commerce for poultry merchandise.

Below WOAH pointers, HPAI-free standing might be declared after the illness has been eradicated on all affected farms and no new infections are detected throughout a 28-day ready interval.

“Starting in January, when migratory birds touring by the state examined optimistic for HPAI, now we have been on excessive alert,” mentioned Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Our Veterinary Division, poultry corporations, commodity organizations and several other different federal and state businesses labored collectively to speak the specter of this illness and decrease the affect on our poultry farmers and yard flock house owners. 9 of our poultry farms examined optimistic for HPAI in March and April, leading to a statewide ban on poultry reveals and gross sales from April by June. Our swift response rapidly managed the outbreak. Attaining HPAI-free standing is the final step we wanted as a state to place this outbreak behind us.

“Poultry house owners are inspired to proceed to observe strict biosecurity measures and monitor their flocks for indicators of sickness,” mentioned Troxler. “Steps needs to be taken to attenuate publicity to wild birds as a lot as doable.” Poultry house owners can report sick or dying birds to their native veterinarian, the N.C. Division of Agriculture and Shopper Providers Veterinary Division, 919-707-3250, or the N.C. Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System 919-733-3986.

This HPAI outbreak affected 400 poultry farms in 38 states since February. In North Carolina, greater than 110,000 turkeys and 371,000 broilers have been depopulated on the six turkey farms and three broiler farms in Johnston and Wayne counties that examined optimistic. Avian influenza is just not a meals security danger and carries a low danger of human an infection.

Broilers, or rooster raised for meat, are the highest agricultural commodity for North Carolina, representing greater than $3.6 billion in money receipts for farmers yearly. Greater than 916 million broilers are raised every year within the state. North Carolina additionally ranks first within the nation in poultry and egg money receipts and is the second-largest turkey-producing state within the nation, elevating greater than 31 million turkeys yearly. North Carolina exported over $417 Million price of poultry and poultry merchandise in 2021.

Extra details about Excessive Path Avian Influenza is on-line at www.ncagr.gov/avianflu.