With the rise of highly pathogenic avian flu (HPAI) cases in Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) has created a new email notification system to keep backyard flock owners updated on local HPAI news.
“We hate to see this illness affecting another farmer in Tennessee. As we work with this producer and our partners to contain this outbreak to one facility, we are also considering how best to share information with bird owners,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Beaty. “The new email notification system — The Word on Birds — aims to inform bird owners of health threats to backyard poultry flocks and pet birds.”
How does the notification system work?
Those who enroll will receive email alerts from TDA with information about nearby backyard and commercial outbreaks, local restrictions and biosecurity measures, and other HPAI related issues.
Who is the system for?
The system is primarily for owners of backyard flocks and pet birds. Protecting the health of these backyard birds will help prevent outbreaks at commercial flocks since wild birds are less likely to catch and transmit avian flu between flocks.
Recent Tennessee avian flu case
As of December 15, the most recent case of HPAI in Tennessee was at a backyard flock in Weakley County. A 12.4-mile protection zone has been established around the site with commercial poultry inside being tested for HPAI and limited movement restrictions.
In other avian flu news
This year’s HPAI outbreak has been of the H5N1 serotype. However, a new serotype – H5N6 – has been discovered in Canada, according to the World Organization for Animal Health.
To learn more about HPAI cases in commercial poultry flocks in the United States and Canada, see an interactive map on WATTPoultry.com.
Read our ongoing coverage of the global avian influenza outbreak.
