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The investigation by the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed that poultry from a Washington County farm has tested positive for HAPI.
Officials say that all affected premises and birds on the properties have been quarantined and separated to help curtail any further spread of the disease. Any animals from the affected flocks will never enter the food chain, they noted.
“Avian influenza does not affect poultry meat or egg products, which remain healthy and safe to eat and handle. All poultry growers, operators, and owners, including those who manage backyard flocks, must remain vigilant,” Maryland Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder said.
“MDA, USDA, and other partner agencies are working diligently to address and localize the situation, including quarantining and testing nearby flocks.”
According to the MDA, “avian influenza is a highly contagious airborne respiratory virus that spreads easily among birds through nasal and eye secretions.
“The virus can be spread in various ways from flock to flock, including by wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers,” officials continued. "This virus affects poultry, like chicken, and turkey, along with some wild bird species such as duck, geese, shorebirds, and raptors.”
In response to the positive case of bird flu, health officials offered a list of steps that should be followed if one suspects HPAI in a backyard, among wild birds, or in commercial operations.
Those practices include:
- Clean and disinfect transportation. "Don’t walk through or drive trucks, tractors, or equipment in areas where waterfowl or other wildlife feces may be. This is especially important when visiting with farmers or those who hunt wild fowl;"
- Remove loose feed. "Don’t give wild birds, rodents, and insects a free lunch! Remove spilled or uneaten feed right away, and make sure feed storage units are secure and free of holes;"
- Keep visitors to a minimum. "Only allow those people who take care of your poultry to come in contact with your birds, this includes family and friends;"
- Wash your hands before and after coming in contact with live poultry;
- Provide disposable boot covers (preferred) and/or disinfectant footbaths for anyone having contact with your flock. "If using a footbath, be sure to remove all droppings, mud, or debris from boots and shoes using a long-handled scrub brush before stepping into the disinfectant footbath, and always keep it clean;"
- Change clothes before entering poultry areas and before exiting the property. "Visitors should wear protective outer garments or disposable coveralls, boots, and headgear when handling birds, and shower and/or change clothes when leaving the facility;"
- Clean and disinfect tools or equipment before moving them to a new poultry facility.
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