A Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus discovered on a Tennessee poultry farm in early March has resulted in the euthanizing of more than 70,000 birds, and has Canadian poultry experts concerned it could spread to Canadian producers.
On March 5, 2017, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed the presence of HPAI in a flock of more than 70,000 birds on a Tennessee farm. Only a few days later an avian virus was confirmed on a second Tennessee commercial poultry farm.
According to Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Provincial Poultry Specialist, Al Dam, the concern for Canadian producers is that the strain could migrate with wild birds into Canada. The Tennessee virus was found in an area that falls within the Mississippi flyway for wild birds, a zone that extends into southwestern and northwestern Ontario.
“It’s a wild strain on the wing and the birds are all heading north,” Dam explained, adding that be- cause it’s a wild strain the virus “has the potential to spread further.”
In early March, OMAFRA released an avian influenza advisory to be on the lookout for signs of the virus in wild or domestic birds. The advisory warned Ontario producers to be aware of the risk to their birds from Avian Influenza, which can be easily spread by attending poultry events, through infected birds, people or equipment.
The advisory further cautions producers to be diligent in observing their flocks, to monitor mortalities and track feed and water consumption, stressing that “early detection is critical.” Early symptoms could include depression, decreased feed consumption, a drop in egg production, swollen wattles, sneezing, gasping, discharge from nose or eyes, diarrhea or sudden death. If any symptoms of illness are detected, producers are advised to contact their veterinarian.
In an effort to prevent HPAI from reaching Ontario flocks, the advisory recommends poultry producers avoid poultry shows during an outbreak, restrict access to their flock, avoid sharing equipment, quarantine new birds for two-to-four weeks before integrating them into the flock and enforce biosecurity protocols.
Dam stressed that Avian Influenza can affect any poultry producer, large or small, and in fact smaller producers who keep birds outdoors could be more at risk.
“Influenza isn’t just a commercial farm problem,” Dam said, “They’ve found it in small flocks, large flocks, wild birds; that’s not a truth that holds any validity anymore.”
-Amy Hogue