The Shadow
RICHMOND—The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza earlier this month in a commercial broiler flock in Accomack County and in contained, non-poultry birds in Chesterfield County.
While HPAI virus strains are extremely infectious and often fatal to domestic poultry, backyard chicken hobbyists and wildfowl hunters can help prevent virus transmission.
The risk of HPAI infection to people and pets is “very low,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, those with exposure to infected animals or contaminated materials, including raw cow’s milk, are at higher risk.
There appears to be significant amounts of virus currently circulating in some parts of the state, said Virginia Farm Bureau Federation President Scott Sink in a Jan. 8 memo to VFBF’s Poultry Advisory Committee. “Biosecurity is essential to controlling the spread of HPAI on farms and protecting domestic poultry.”
The affected commercial flock in Accomack was depopulated, and those birds did not enter the food system.
Tony Banks, senior assistant director of VFBF agriculture, development & innovation, noted HPAI typically is spread by wild birds from late January through mid-May. As commercial poultry growers follow protocols outlined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Defend the Flock resource center, backyard hobbyists and outdoors enthusiasts can play a part in preventing infections in domestic flocks.
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources recommends the following actions to limit possible spread of HPAI on the landscape, and to limit possible human exposure when handling wild waterfowl:
- Do not harvest or handle wild birds that are obviously sick or found dead.
- If possible, dress game birds in the field, and thoroughly bury any unused carcass parts near the harvest site.
- If unable to dress birds in the field and bury the carcasses, double bag them and dispose of them in a landfill.
- Do not leave carcasses or parts on the landscape without properly burying.
- Do not eat, drink or put anything in your mouth while cleaning or handling game birds.
- Always wear disposable gloves when handling, field dressing and butchering game birds.
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after handling birds.
- Clean and disinfect work surfaces and equipment thoroughly after transporting or butchering birds.
- Cook game meat thoroughly—an internal temperature of 165 degrees kills influenza viruses and other disease-causing organisms.
The USDA also offers additional information, including guidance for hunters who also have contact with poultry.
The University of Minnesota Extension offers these backyard flock biosecurity tips:
- Cover or enclose any outdoor feeding areas, and clean up any feed spills that may attract wild birds.
- Avoid visiting ponds or streams, especially with pets.
- Reduce standing water that may be a resting place for migratory birds.
- Limit or halt any travel with your birds.
- Limit who visits your flock, and don’t allow handling by visitors.
- Ask visitors about other recent bird contact, and ask them to wash their hands and wear clean clothes and footwear.
Virginia bird owners should report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to the state veterinarian’s office at 804-692-0601 or vastatevet@vdacs.virginia.gov. For questions about avian influenza or biosecurity steps, contact Banks at tony.banks@vafb.com or 804-290-1114.
