The 2015 outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) negatively impacted the U.S. poultry industry and may be a threat again.
"We have learned a lot these last six years since we have had HPAI in Minnesota," Dr. Dale Lauer, a veterinarian with the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, said during the "Defend the Flock: How Avian Influenza Affects Us All" webinar was hosted by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on February 25.
Poultry producers of all sizes should know the signs of HPAI, he explained. An unexplained increase in mortality, decrease in egg production, respiratory signs, quietness and depression of the birds or neurologic signs should be investigated.
Anyone who works with the birds should know what to look for and certainly report what they are seeing.
Producers need to evaluate the risks that are unique to their operation and encourage employees to ask questions while protecting the flock.
"If you have a veterinarian, you should describe the signs, have them, him or her, come in for a diagnosis. If you don't have a veterinarian, you certainly should contact your state animal health official," Lauer said. "You have to make sure that if you have and need a diagnosis, that the proper samples are collected and that they are collected by an individual who is trained and/or certified by your state animal health official, state veterinarian's office because they will know the correct number of samples and the correct type of samples and the laboratory that can conduct this type of testing."
Biosecurity
Biosecurity plans fully need to be mandated on poultry farms regardless of the time of year.
"Biosecurity can prevent avian influenza if you use it consistently and pay special attention to the line of separation and imprisonment buffer area. Carefully follow safe entry and exit procedures into your flock. We are heading into the spring now and those weather conditions can make these procedures difficult because of mud, rain, wind and other shifting weather conditions," Lauer said. "At the same time, puddles and other standing water may attract waterfowl even closer to barns. This is a time to focus on safe barn entries. Making sure that garbage and dead birds are picked up outside of your perimeter buffer areas is crucial as the virus can move through the movement of dead birds and garbage off the farm."
Dr. Denise Heard, veterinarian and director of research programs for the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, shared that she believes the national biosecurity program for commercial poultry will be beneficial.
"We have a poultry primary breeder, avian influenza compartmentalization program to protect the export of poultry and poultry products. Federal and state representatives as well as the industry, have all done their parts to ensure we are better prepared and equipped to handle such an ordeal," Heard added.
Small flocks may not be as prepared
Small flocks may not utilize biosecurity practices and proper communication correctly, this could pose a threat.
"I'm afraid that many small flocks are not very well prepared. We have many new poultry owners due to the COVID-19 outbreak. These new poultry owners are unaware or not familiar with the events of 2014-2015," Dr. Rocio Crespo, poultry program coordinator from North Carolina State University, said on the webinar. "There are many small animal veterinarians who are now looking after these small poultry flocks that are not aware of the symptoms or the legislation around poultry."
Crespo expressed that she believes there is still work to do, but that poultry producer communication has improved since the outbreak six years ago.
