In a recent development, a significant incident unfolded at a commercial pullet farm located in Marshall County, North Alabama. A harrowing discovery led to the unfortunate culling of nearly 48,000 birds after state agriculture officials confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian flu (HPAI). This alarming revelation prompted immediate action, including the imposition of a quarantine on the affected farm, as announced by the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries on a somber Friday.
Highly pathogenic avian flu, or HPAI, is a virulent strain of avian influenza. While it poses a low risk to human health, it is exceptionally contagious among birds, encompassing both commercial and backyard poultry flocks. Although this news is unsettling, it is essential to emphasize that HPAI is not regarded as a threat to food safety because infected birds do not enter the human food supply chain, according to the department.
In response to this concerning situation, rigorous measures have been initiated. All poultry within a 10-kilometer radius (approximately 6.2 miles) of the affected farm are undergoing testing and close monitoring. Fortunately, as of the current assessment, no other flocks have reported an increase in avian deaths, which provides a glimmer of hope amid this challenging situation.
Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate and State Veterinarian Tony Frazier jointly issued a statement underscoring the paramount importance of vigilance and proactive measures within the poultry industry. They stressed the need for strict biosecurity practices, including isolating birds from contact with wild birds or other domestic flocks, a lesson reinforced by the HPAI outbreak in Marshall County.
This alarming development comes in the wake of a prior occurrence of HPAI being confirmed in an upland gamebird farm located in Chilton County, Alabama, just a week before. The impact was particularly devastating in that case, as it affected nearly 296,500 birds. All the affected birds in Chilton County will be culled by the end of the week, as per the department’s directive. It remains unclear whether the cases at both farms are interconnected, leaving federal and state officials actively engaged in additional surveillance and testing in areas surrounding these affected flocks.
It is reassuring to note that the United States boasts the world’s most robust avian flu surveillance program, and both federal and state agencies are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to manage this situation effectively. The joint efforts of the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries and the U.S. Department of Agriculture involve continuous monitoring of the disease in various contexts, including commercial poultry farms, backyard flocks, live bird markets, and wild bird populations.
To fully grasp the gravity of this situation, it’s important to understand the symptoms of HPAI in birds, which include:
A sudden increase in bird mortality within the flock.
Birds displaying signs such as sneezing, gasping for air, coughing, and nasal discharge.
Watery and green diarrhea.
Birds exhibiting a lack of energy and a reduced appetite.
A noticeable drop in egg production or the production of soft, misshaped eggs with thin shells.
Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks.
Discoloration of the wattles, comb, and legs, taking on a purple hue.
Birds appearing ruffled, listless, and lethargic.
In light of these distressing developments, the department has issued a crucial appeal to the commercial poultry industry and backyard flock owners to reinforce and elevate their biosecurity measures. These protective measures are paramount in safeguarding their operations from the scourge of HPAI and potentially stemming its further spread. Key biosecurity measures include:
Thoroughly cleaning vehicles and equipment used in poultry operations.
Limiting unnecessary visitors to poultry facilities.
Implementing clean foot baths for sanitizing shoes to prevent the introduction of contaminants.
Changing clothing after any contact with birds or poultry.
Moreover, the department is actively encouraging the reporting of any sick or dead wild birds to the Alabama Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. They can be reached at 334-242-3469. For any sick or deceased domestic birds and poultry, prompt reporting to the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries’ Poultry Unit is essential and can be accomplished by contacting 334-240-6584. The emergence of highly pathogenic avian flu in Alabama has had profound consequences, particularly for the affected poultry farms and the broader poultry industry. The diligent efforts of state and federal agencies, coupled with proactive biosecurity measures, are crucial in mitigating the spread of this avian disease. As we confront this challenge, the health and well-being of both commercial and backyard poultry flocks are of utmost importance, and vigilance remains our strongest defense against the further spread of HPAI
