Opinion
It can be hard to know how to react to disease incidence reports. Animal health pros tendency to to ignore reports until we see a disease is a concern, yet HPAI continues to show up in poultry and non-poultry birds.
The next HPAI incident may literally fly over your location today . . . the time to ACT* is NOW!” – Kirk Augustine
In Maine, a new case reported was from a non-commercial (non-poultry) backyard flock. HPAI has now been found in commercial and backyard flocks in Indiana, Kentucky and Virginia, and in wild birds in Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Florida, Maryland, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
HPAI needs to be considered, not ignored, as a significant threat because of the potential transfer from wild birds to domestic birds and the existence of significant non-poultry bird populations.
- Poultry typically refers to any domesticated fowl kept for eggs, meat or feathers, but the definition isn’t clear cut for farmers
- Fowl refers to land and water birds
- Waterfowl include ducks, geese and swans, including Canadian geese on golf courses
- Land fowl include chicken and turkey, as well as traditionally wild game birds that can be domestically raised
- Partridge, pheasant, squab, quail, grouse, chachalacas, doves, woodcock and guinea fowl are included
- Other types of birds, some domesticated for meat ,such as ratites like ostrich, rheas and emus
Source: USDA, February 19, 2022. Link.
Also see: Defend the flock – Resource Center, USDA, September 9, 2021. Link.
INSIGHTS: * ACTion opportunities: proactively discuss HPAI prevention and biosecurity;
- Prioritize poultry and non-poultry client notices from your client record databases
- Contact local FFA, 4-H and hobby groups in your area
- Engage with local Extension specialists
- Engage with local media to ensure good coverage of risks and prevention
- Engage with local wildlife officials
NOTE: BirdCast now shows 10 to 15 million birds already starting migration with live migration updates to resume on March 15, 2022 <Link>. One cannot predict how songbirds may fit into the spread of HPAI.