NewsDesk @bactiman63

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial, mixed-species backyard flock (non-poultry) in Berkshire County, Massachusetts; a non-commercial, mixed-species backyard flock (non-poultry) in Johnson County, Wyoming; a commercial poultry flock in Johnston County, North Carolina; a non-commercial, backyard chicken flock (non-poultry) in Franklin County, Ohio; and a non-commercial, backyard chicken flock (poultry) in Kidder County, North Dakota.

Image by Ralphs_Fotos from Pixabay

Samples from all the flocks were first tested at state laboratories that are part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. Results were subsequently confirmed at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa. Samples from the Massachusetts flock were tested at the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. Samples from the Wyoming flock were tested at Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory. Samples from the North Carolina flock were tested at the Rollins Diagnostic Laboratory. Samples from the Ohio flock were tested at the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. Samples from the North Dakota flock were tested at the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

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APHIS is working closely with state animal health officials in both states on a joint incident response. State officials quarantined the affected premises, and birds on the properties will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flocks will not enter the food system.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections do not present an immediate public health concern. No human cases of these avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States.