We shared concerns about the potential for highly pathogenic avian influenza infections to return as this fall’s bird migration began <Link>. It appears HPAI took a summer break but has returned to commercial turkey flocks in South Dakota and Utah. Fears are mounting that HPAI may possibly become a regular seasonal event. The virus may be present in wild birds and domestic flocks, as well as some mammals.
The main strategy is to prevent droppings of wild birds from being tracked into poultry barns on workers’ footwear and clothing, or from hitchhiking on farm equipment, mice, small birds and even dust particles.” – Bailee Woolstenhulme
Sources:
- Associated Press, October 10, 2023. Link.
- Food Safety News, October 10, 2023. Link.
- Experts worry that H5N1 avian influenza is now endemic in North America, The Atlantic, August 3, 2023. Link.
- North America begins logging fall HPAI detections in commercial flocks, Feedstuffs, October 6, 2023. Link. Chickens and turkeys are most susceptible to HPAI. Waterfowl such as geese and ducks carry the virus and spread it to other birds.
Also see: Search Results for: avian flu, AHD Archives. Link.