WVDA Urges Extra Caution Following Indiana Avian
Influenza Outbreak
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture
(WVDA) is prepared if avian influenza (AI)
shows up in the Mountain State, Commissioner
of Agriculture Walt Helmick said following new
reports of the disease in commercial turkey flocks in
Indiana last week.
There has been no sign of the disease in West
Virginia, and the outbreak poses no risk to food or
human health. The U.S. Department of Agriculture
is responding to the situation in Indiana. The
outbreak is especially concerning in light of
the AI outbreak in spring 2015 that became the
worst animal disease outbreak in U.S. history.
From December 2014 through June 2015, a
highpathogenicity
strain of AI (HPAI)
affected 48 million
poultry on 223
premises in the West
and Midwest.
"Substantial
planning is already
in place due to past
incidents of avian
influenza here in
West Virginia, and
USDA is on the
affected farms in
Indiana," said Commissioner Helmick. "However,
the risk is definitely elevated, and we're
encouraging our growers to be especially vigilant
and to be very strict when it comes to their
biosecurity measures."
The warning applies to both commercial
growers and "backyard" poultry farmers who
keep smaller numbers of birds for eggs or meat.
Backyard birds are at an even greater risk due to
their exposure to the environment and wild birds
that are known to carry AI.
West Virginia previously dealt with AI in 2002
and 2007. Extra safeguards were developed and
26 West Virginia Farm Bureau News
refined following those incidents, but they are no
guarantee against AI finding its way into domestic
fowl in the Mountain State.
WVDA tests every commercial flock before they
are moved from the farm for any reason, ensuring
that sick birds are not being trucked past other
poultry farms in the region. The regional laboratory
in Moorefield - in the heart of poultry country - is
able to perform a wide range of tests, including rapid
screening tests.
AI is an enormous threat to the economic wellbeing of the U.S. poultry industry and has substantial
implications on international trade. West Virginia's
poultry industry alone
is worth more than
$350 million annually,
not counting valuable
breeding operations. AI
also is very expensive
to contain and eradicate.
The cost of response to
the 2015 outbreak was
upwards of $1 billion,
according to USDA.
Recommended
biosecurity practices
include:
• Minimizing farm visitors. AI can survive on vehicle
tires, footwear - even in the nasal passages of
humans
• Clean and disinfect shoes, clothes, hands and tires
before entering production areas. Clean all visible
dirt and then apply disinfectant
• Don't share farm equipment during AI outbreaks
• Be on the lookout for signs of disease (unusual
bird deaths, sneezing, nasal discharge, diarrhea,
poor appetite, drop in egg production, purple
discoloration of wattles, comb and legs)
Call the WVDA if you think your birds might be sick
at 304-538- 2397 during regular business hours or 304558-2214 after regular business hours.