Avian influenza found in South Carolina

[Sally PB]

The flock in Michigan was in Kalamazoo County, and was a backyard flock of mixed birds. They depopulated the birds and quarantined the property. This info is from what I read here:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2022/hpai-michigan

We all know what depopulating means. What does the quarantine entail? Does anyone know?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Wow! I’m just scared to lose my flock… I have worked so hard on it and I have very special birds, who have went through a lot, and my ducks mean the world to me. So If I see one of my birds coming down sick with this, I should cull it?

Not to sound flippant, but death, in the end, is unavoidable. For you and your birds. Highly pathogenic avian influenza is a High consequence low likelihood event. Like winning the lottery, or being struck and killed by a drunk driver, for having a tree call on your house. Not something to obsess over. Reasonable precautions to manage risk. Like wearing a seat belt, trimming trees around the house, maybe not going out driving on New Year's Eve.

The symptoms of hpai have been listed repeatedly above. If you have a sick bird, contact your state agency and let them know what's going on. I'm sure they will Rush right out to test. Test first, respond accordingly. Don't assume the worst, cull, then wonder if you did the right thing.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

The flock in Michigan was in Kalamazoo County, and was a backyard flock of mixed birds. They depopulated the birds and quarantined the property. This info is from what I read here:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2022/hpai-michigan

We all know what depopulating means. What does the quarantine entail? Does anyone know?

Most likely it means they can't replace the poultry on the property for some. Of time. For a backyard owner devastated by the loss of their flock, I can't imagine that most would want to immediately get new Birds. Though I'm sure some would. More, it keeps commercial flocks from immediately replacing Birds on possibly contaminated grounds. At least, that's the way the word is used in the statutes. Nothing leaves, nothing enters.

 

[Sally PB]

Most likely it means they can't replace the poultry on the property for some. Of time. For a backyard owner devastated by the loss of their flock, I can't imagine that most would want to immediately get new Birds. Though I'm sure some would. More, it keeps commercial flocks from immediately replacing Birds on possibly contaminated grounds. At least, that's the way the word is used in the statutes. Nothing leaves, nothing enters.

Thank you. That does make sense.

 

[AgnesGray]

Most likely it means they can't replace the poultry on the property for some. Of time. For a backyard owner devastated by the loss of their flock, I can't imagine that most would want to immediately get new Birds. Though I'm sure some would. More, it keeps commercial flocks from immediately replacing Birds on possibly contaminated grounds. At least, that's the way the word is used in the statutes. Nothing leaves, nothing enters.

I have been searching and haven't found how long the quarantine lasts. We have egg contracts we would be failing to fulfill if a situation like this were to occur and customers may stick around through a 2-4 week break, but would likely find other sources if it dragged on too much longer than that.

I did wonder as I placed my 2-ton order of poultry feed this week, what we would do with the feed and to cover that cost if we lost our birds and were not permitted to replace any of them.

 

[MadGardener]

What does the quarantine entail?

The PDF here has further details but no indication of quarantine time.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/2015/fs-hpai-what-to-expect-if-you-suspect.pdf

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

Not to sound flippant, but death, in the end, is unavoidable. For you and your birds. Highly pathogenic avian influenza is a High consequence low likelihood event. Like winning the lottery, or being struck and killed by a drunk driver, for having a tree call on your house. Not something to obsess over. Reasonable precautions to manage risk. Like wearing a seat belt, trimming trees around the house, maybe not going out driving on New Year's Eve.

The symptoms of hpai have been listed repeatedly above. If you have a sick bird, contact your state agency and let them know what's going on. I'm sure they will Rush right out to test. Test first, respond accordingly. Don't assume the worst, cull, then wonder if you did the right thing.

Ok, so I shouldn’t worry about it unless I have a sick bird, right?

 

[Molpet]

Michigan…

https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazo...bird-flu-found-in-kalamazoo-county-flock.html

The flock in Michigan was in Kalamazoo County, and was a backyard flock of mixed birds. They depopulated the birds and quarantined the property. This info is from what I read here:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2022/hpai-michigan

We all know what depopulating means. What does the quarantine entail? Does anyone know?

@aart
Is this near you?

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

I have been searching and haven't found how long the quarantine lasts. We have egg contracts we would be failing to fulfill if a situation like this were to occur and customers may stick around through a 2-4 week break, but would likely find other sources if it dragged on too much longer than that.

I did wonder as I placed my 2-ton order of poultry feed this week, what we would do with the feed and to cover that cost if we lost our birds and were not permitted to replace any of them.

The answer to how long the quarantine lasts completely depends on how long area birds are testing positive. When California was fighting VND, it was a "good while" before Any birds could be brought into the quarrantined areas, including day old chicks shipped from hatcheries. (The exact time frame can likely be found online; I didn't follow the issue That closely.)

There is probably also quarrantine info online from 2015 when Avian Influenza ravaged commercial egg farms. The current outbreak isn't the first, & it won't be the last. I kept tabs on the situations back then as I am doing currently. The issue isn't something to obsess over, but to be aware of and take immediate action if the disease shows up in your area. If such diseases ever occur in my area, I will be able to state Exactly how long quarantine lasted, how many birds died, etc etc.

Personally, if influenza is found near my area, I will be confining my birds until the all-clear is given. My runs and coops are completely wrapped in 1/2" hardware cloth and covered with metal roofing. I did that to protect against against woodland predators, but it will suffice to protect against Avian diseases too. Yeah the hens will be upset for a while over being jailed, but at least they will live. (Hopefully.) Avian Influenza is mostly asymptomatic in wild waterfowl, but has a high death rate in poultry. Meaning if a flock contracts it, yes the entire flock will be depopulated, but many will likely die of the disease anyway.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

"How long the quarantine lasts" is at the discretion of whomever in that particular State has been entrusted with the police powers related to regulation of animal health and welfare during an outbreak. You will find the answer nowhere in statute, and likely not in regulation, either. Regulations tend to not be found online, typically read "at least [X] days", and I'm just not that inclined to go digging right now.