Source: Meatingplace
New HPAI outbreaks reported in Iowa
An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard flock in Chickasaw County, Iowa, prompted the Iowa Department of Agriculture to issue warnings to poultry producers across the state. The start of spring migration is expected to bring thousands of wild birds into Iowa that could spread HPAI through their droppings or nasal discharges to domestic or commercial birds. The agency urges poultry producers and people with backyard flocks to be especially vigilant with their biosecurity efforts to prevent HPAI outbreaks that have killed a record 58.6 million birds since the beginning of 2022.
Pennsylvania quarantines more than 200 flocks over HPAI concerns
Animal health officials in Pennsylvania issued quarantine orders covering 207 poultry flocks in Lancaster County and Chester County that serve live bird markets in the wake of recent HPAI outbreaks in the two areas. State Veterinarian Kevin Brightbill expressed concern that some poultry farms tried to manage sick birds without reporting outbreaks to state officials, according to a report in Lancaster Farming. The quarantine order requires farms within the specified areas to allow testers to check their birds twice each week. Farmers have been ordered to disclose previously unreported illnesses among their flocks. The order will remain in place until depopulation and cleanup efforts are completed and 14 days have passed without more confirmed HPAI detections.
Ontario reports its first case of HPAI since late december
An HPAI outbreak in a flock in West Lincoln Township, Ont., confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), is the first in the province since Dec. 21, 2022, and the first confirmed case in Canada since Feb. 8. The agency did not specify the type of commercial poultry operation affected or how many birds tested positive for HPAI in the 31st case of the deadly virus among commercial poultry flocks since the latest outbreaks began over one year ago. HPAI has been confirmed in seven Canadian provinces, with British Columbia having the largest number of cases since the beginning of the HPAI spread dating back to last year.
Chile culls 40K birds after HPAI is confirmed in commercial poultry
Agricultural and livestock officials in Chile announced the culling of 40,000 birds just days after confirming an HPAI outbreak in a plant owned by Agrosuper in central Chile. The cullings followed the confirmation of the nation’s first commercial outbreak earlier in the week, which prompted Chilean officials to suspend exports for 28 days, according to Reuters. The move is being described as a “limited event,” and additional testing in nearby areas has not yet uncovered additional HPAI cases. Most of the HPAI outbreaks confirmed in Chile since late last year reportedly involved wild birds.
