I live in Lancaster county, pa. In the 1980's there was an AI outbreak. 17,000,000 birds were destroyed in the outbreak ( not all in this county). I worked in commercial poultry at the time. I've experienced the effects. My county is the latest poultry and egg production county in the nation.
If and when the current outbreak reaches us, it will be devastating to the agricultural industry.
As a backyard chicken owner, I feel it is my responsibility to do my part in helping control the spread. Not importing birds or eggs from infected areas. Being prepared to lose all my poultry if I test positive.
There are probably a 1 million poultry within three miles of my house. As valuable as I feel my birds are, is it worth risking a $400 million dollar industry?
There will always be insects on/in my car as I travel.
Will it happen? Probably. Will I be infected? Maybe.
What can i do? We all shop at the same stores. It is impractical to disinfect my car every time I leave my property. It is impossible to totally separate anything that may come in contact with dust or air from all my clothes. Since the method of transmission is only speculated upon, not fully understood, what is dangerous and what is not? Obviously I'm not going to visit a major poultry operation, but what about going to visit my neighbor? There are many backyard flocks here.
These are all questions that must be considered.
Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst.
If and when the current outbreak reaches us, it will be devastating to the agricultural industry.
As a backyard chicken owner, I feel it is my responsibility to do my part in helping control the spread. Not importing birds or eggs from infected areas. Being prepared to lose all my poultry if I test positive.
There are probably a 1 million poultry within three miles of my house. As valuable as I feel my birds are, is it worth risking a $400 million dollar industry?
There will always be insects on/in my car as I travel.
Will it happen? Probably. Will I be infected? Maybe.
What can i do? We all shop at the same stores. It is impractical to disinfect my car every time I leave my property. It is impossible to totally separate anything that may come in contact with dust or air from all my clothes. Since the method of transmission is only speculated upon, not fully understood, what is dangerous and what is not? Obviously I'm not going to visit a major poultry operation, but what about going to visit my neighbor? There are many backyard flocks here.
These are all questions that must be considered.
Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst.
