Ameraucana Breeders Club
The Official Forum of the Ameraucana Breeders Club => News and Information => Topic started by: Susan Mouw on March 05, 2017, 04:00:28 PM
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Reported this morning (Sunday), the Tennessee Dept of Ag has confirmed a case of high-path AI in a commercial flock in Tennessee.
I'll post more links/info here, as more is revealed.
http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/tennessee/2017/03/05/avian-flu-detected-lincoln-county-chickens/98778246/ (http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/tennessee/2017/03/05/avian-flu-detected-lincoln-county-chickens/98778246/)
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I was just reading a couple of articles this evening on the outbreak of AI in TN. I sure hope this does not develop into the fiasco we had in 2015. Thanks Susan for the info and I will be waiting for further info on the subject. Hopefully new news will be good news.
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That is just south of us... way too close for comfort... :(
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That is just south of us... way too close for comfort... :(
Keep out of the 6 mile radius! It is sure funny as in 2015, the problem seems to arise in the big commercial flocks. We back yard breeders feel the brunt with quarantines, cancelation of shows, restricted sale of birds at swap meets etc. >:(
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Beware the State Ag Enforcers as best you can. Gordon is right, they have no regard to the hobby flock owner. The commercial farmer is reimbursed for their flocks. I am not saying that they get paid for all of their costs. I am sure that they will not be allowed to keep poultry on their farm for some time frame. But at least they are not left empty handed like we would be if they came looking to depopulate our flock.
I wonder if this is going to change Knoxsville's Testing Regs for their show?
Found this just a bit ago, Tenn Valley Poultry Club ABA National 2018?
A note from the President:
Hello folks .. we have had a AI scare as you all have seen . I have received a lot of calls . Just wanting to let you know both shows are still on as planned and the club is moving on and is just fine . We hope to see all of you in April and in December for the ABA national . If you have any questions or need to schedule a meet please contact me . Thank You and have a great day.
Eddie "cotton" Dunlap
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Thanks, Gordon and Don... no worries, am staying well out of that area... and yes, trying to stay under the radar with Ag as much as possible... was putting in for APA membership and wanted to push NPIP, but think I will wait on the NPIP part... :/
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I see this morning that another county in Tennessee had an outbreak of AI. Here again it was a large commercial flock. I feel for those small backyard breeders who fall in the restricted area for inspection. I just hope that this is the last of the AI scare for 2017. Hang in there Ameraucana breeders that fall in this group, the rest of the ABC members are pulling for you. We hope this is just a temporary inconvenience.
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As the weather warms up, the AI scare will melt away. The AI virus cannot survive in warm temperatures.
But, who knows what will happen this fall when it starts to cool down? I know I'll sure be watching this...
Just had my semi-annual AI test for every bird on the place and, thankfully, all a pass. Of course, if it wasn't a pass, I'm sure I would have noticed birds dropping over long before.
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I hope that it melts away and does not show it's troubled head again for sure. This was another farm from the same Producer company?
I think all of us would know if we have the HPAI for sure and that seems to be the one that's always is in the news. I have questions though if with the Show flocks they are looking for HPAI or Any Strain or any antibodies to the strains. I Don't Trust the commercial industry in that regard and I feel like the State and USAGs are only concerned about that aspect. I know that the industry does not like the show hobby, they claim that we cross state lines and carry issues which Might cause them issues. IMO, if our birds get in the way, they will be gone in the blink of an eye. If you read their action plans, they have demographics on anyone that has poultry within a distance of a flock with any issues. They have options to quarantine or depopulate, their choice.
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Gordon, where was the other infection found, I can't find it in my search engine? was the original flock breeders, egg layers.....?
I also had not heard of the following related news, from Reuters 4 days ago,
"In recent months, different strains of bird flu have been confirmed across Asia and in Europe. Authorities have culled millions of birds in affected areas to control the outbreaks.
France, which has the largest poultry flock in the European Union, has reported outbreaks of the highly contagious H5N8 bird flu virus. In South Korea, the rapid spread of the H5N6 strain of the virus has led to the country's worst-ever outbreak of bird flu."
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http://files.constantcontact.com/329c71ce201/a2e94688-8d4d-4e47-9f6d-59ba902be562.pdf
This one is a different, less virulent strain from what they say... completely different company and stock sources... unfortunately even closer to us... this is in the next county over from us... :(
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Thank you Rayvnscroft for the information. So even with the less pathenogenic infection they depopulated the farm. This to me is what I feared. So rather than use this strain to possibly develop a vaccine for commercial flocks.......
Quote from the TN Ag report in the above link,
The primary difference between LPAI and HPAI is mortality rate. A slight change to the viral
structure can make a virus deadly. Avian influenza virus strains often occur naturally in wild
migratory birds without causing illness in those birds. With LPAI, domesticated chickens and
turkeys may show little or no signs of illness. However, HPAI is often fatal for domesticated
poultry.
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Very welcome, Don... wish it was good news to pass around instead of what it is...
What's not making sense to me is, if it's being passed by wildlife/migratory birds, then why is it only commercial flocks that it's been found in so far? Most of those have extremely strict biosecurity and housing requirements, and most from what I understand also don't allow employees to have their own flocks at home too... so how are they getting infected yet not one backyard flock, within or outside the quarantine areas has tested positive?
I dunno, but something just seems off to me...
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Don, The first outbreak was found in Lincoln County Tenn. The second outbreak was found in Giles County Tenn. Here is the address of the article that I saw on the second outbreak. http://www.tennessee.gov/agriculture/news/49066
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Thanks Gordon. I am finally beginning to see some reports on Google search today.
Jen, It seems to me that with the waterfowl carrying this infection and unharmed, we have to expect that they will always be carriers. They can infect flocks near their migration flyways. But they can also cross infect other birds during their migration movements. I've heard folks concerned about their runs being uncovered thinking that birds flying over would be the problem. But have you ever tried to keep sparrows out of your poultry pens? I know its not that simple, but I seems to me that the commercial industry needs to develop a defense vaccine or breeding a resistant strain of poultry. It has to be cheaper in the long run rather than killing flocks all around the world that become infected. It looks like we are in this for the long run.
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It appears that Alabama has closed show and swaps for the spring due to new infections found near their TN border. They're calling for a transport stop on all poultry for a suspect infection of LPAI. And one of the methods they mentioned in their news conference is a door to door search looking for back yard flocks. Just sort of mentioned that they often depopulate flocks even before the testing is completed.
http://afludiary.blogspot.com/2017/03/alabama-to-announce-3-bird-flu-outbreaks.html
http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2017/03/bird_flu_detected_near_state_l.html
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It appears that Alabama has closed show and swaps for the spring due to new infections found near their TN border. They're calling for a transport stop on all poultry for a suspect infection of LPAI. And one of the methods they mentioned in their news conference is a door to door search looking for back yard flocks. Just sort of mentioned that they often depopulate flocks even before the testing is completed. /b]
http://afludiary.blogspot.com/2017/03/alabama-to-announce-3-bird-flu-outbreaks.html
http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2017/03/bird_flu_detected_near_state_l.html
Unfortunately, that is quite true... and without a fierce and public fight until test results come back, they will just eradicate your flock... I was involved with a large support effort last year for a gentleman in Virginia's flock who was slated for that depopulation before confirming test results policy... he was completely cooperative, willing to sit out strict quarantine and complied with every request and demand that was made, except agreeing to allow them to destroy all of his birds on assumptions... test results came back negative, and they still wanted to depopulate... it took getting the news involved and countless supporters before they backed off and allowed him to go through full quarantine and reconfirmed negative testing afterwards... it was a nightmare and a very close call... here's hoping that none of us go through anything like that...
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That's just scary...
I hope our friends in TN and AL are all safe.
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Very little news on the Alabama farms today so far. But one report said that one back yard flock was caught up in the search. Pray for warm weather for this part of the country soon.
http://www.meatpoultry.com/articles/news_home/Food_Safety/2017/03/Alabama_reports_two_AI_cases.aspx?ID=%7B472818E9-3DC4-4BFA-A183-3ED554F7AD3B%7D&cck=1
Alabama AI manual seems to read very simple for different kinds of poultry, Breeders, leghorn types etc. There is a simple comment at the end of the document related to backyard flock.
But they are there to protect the commercial flocks.
http://www.agi.alabama.gov/docs/default-source/Animal-Health/poultry/avian_manual.pdf?sfvrsn=0
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Now a second infection was detected in Lincoln County, TN... within 2 miles of the first, but HPAI this time instead of LPAI...
http://tennesseewatchman.com/2017/03/16/second-case-of-hpai-detected-in-lincoln-county/
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Thank you Jen and Don for keeping us informed on the AI situation in TN and AL. Hopefully new news down the road will be positive on the situation!
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Georgia has now shut down all swaps and shows. There have been no infections found in GA, but they do share a border with both Alabama and TN.
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Georgia has now shut down all swaps and shows. There have been no infections found in GA, but they do share a border with both Alabama and TN.
Well that's just peachy
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I contacted our SC State NPIP Coordinator and asked if we could still sell to GA buyers. As long as you are NPIP/AI clean, you can.
That's for SC - I don't know about NC.
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Any new reports that anyone has seen today?
(Thanks Jen. That's one of the rumors that I've heard, that they are planning to ban swaps on Monday.
I hear rumors of KY and WI can't find official confirmation yet.)
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Any new reports that anyone has seen today?
Just saw this posted on our local Mid TN thread... I haven't looked it up to verify yet, but...
A case of low pathogen H7/N9 AI was confirmed at 5:45 tonight at a Commercial farm in Christian Co. KY. They have placed a movement ban on KY poultry beginning Monday morning until further notice.
Edited to add: This was passed on from a KY state Ag official, it has not been released to the public yet...
Very welcome, Don...
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And 2 more cases of LPAI in Alabama again... 1 in a commercial operation and 1 in a backyard flock... :(
http://www.agi.alabama.gov/s/avian-influenza/additional-poultry-flocks-test-positive-for-low-pathogenic-avian-influenza
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The one AI event in Pickens County is about three hours from the cluster of other events along the TN and AL border, along the Miss border. I hope that soon enough with the weather warming it will become a mute point. Then we will see how the respective states respond this summer.
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I live in Northern Madison County Alabama, about 5 miles from the Tennessee border. I found an article that told that the case here was a backyard flock near North Huntsville. Why have they not already named the owner and exactly where its located.?
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Jim, I don't know if they will release the location and name due to privacy concerns? You might check with your county ag agent to see if they can give you some distance parameters from your place. But If I were you I would lay low until it blows over. If you are tested or registered with the state then they know where you are. And my guess is that if you are within the 10 kilometer radius they would have been around to test your flock already.
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Email from Dr. Julie Helm - SC NPIP Coordinator - this morning. Apparently low path AI has been found in GA.
"Dear SC Small Flock list,
A new Low-Path AI case in GA broiler breeders, near the AL state line – news release is below.
**** In order to send hatching eggs or birds into any of the Surveillance/Control Zones surrounding the below farms – you will probably have to do an additional movement permit request with that state, besides the normal NPIP 9-3 movement form.
Ask your destination location or contact that State Vet’s Office to see if the destination location is within a Zone that needs the extra movement permit. You will need your Premises ID number for your own “origin” location (7 digit number starting with “00” or “SC” listed on your NPIP Clean flock card) – contact me if you can’t find it. You may need the Premises ID number for the destination address as well for the permit, ask your destination site.
· GA – State Vet Office 404-656-3667 -- GA Poultry Conveyance Request Form: http://agr.georgia.gov/avian-influenza.aspx -- (middle of page)
· AL – State Vet Office 334-240-7255
· TN – State Vet Office 615-837-5120
· KY – State Vet Office 502-564-3956
Summary of confirmed and announced cases:
*new information --
*3/27/17 -- Low-path AI (mild H7) – GA broiler breeders (Chattooga County) – found on routine testing of flock
3/22/17 – Low-path AI (mild H7) – AL broiler breeders (Lauderdale County) – found on routine testing of flock
3/22/17 – Low-path AI (mild H7N9) – AL broiler breeders (Cullman County) – found on routine testing of flock
3/21/17 – Low-path AI (mild H7N9) – AL broiler breeders (Pickens County) – found on routine testing of flock
3/20/17 – Low-path AI (mild H7N9) -- KY broiler breeders (Christian County) – found on routine testing of flock
3/16/17 -- High-path AI (H7N9) -- TN broiler breeders (Lincoln County) -- sick bird testing
3/15/17 – Low-path AI (mild H7) -- AL broiler breeders (Lauderdale County) – found in Quarantine Zone surveillance
3/15/17 – Low-path AI (*mild H7N9) – AL backyard flock (Madison County) – found in Quarantine Zone surveillance
3/15/17 – Low-path AI (mild H7N9) – AL backyard flock (Jackson County) – found on flea market surveillance
3/9/17 -- Low-path AI (mild H7N9) – TN broiler breeders (Giles County) – found on routine testing of flock
3/7/17 -- Low-path AI (mild H5N2) – WI commercial turkeys (Barron County) – different strain, sick bird testing (depression signs in flock)
3/5/17 -- High-Path AI (H7N9) – TN broiler breeders (Lincoln County) – sick bird testing (sudden increased mortality), North American wild bird lineage strain
How to protect your flock? See the biosecurity information below. What activities are you doing now that can track AI or any disease back to your flock?
Keep it AWAY -- Keep your poultry flock away from other poultry & wild birds. Keep your poultry and pet ducks and geese AWAY from wild ducks and geese and their environment – ponds, lakes and swampy areas. Also watch that you do not track the wild waterfowl Low-Path AI or High-Path AI virus back to your flock if you are in the same wild waterfowl environment or hunting wild waterfowl. Buy new birds from a reputable source. Keep new birds separated from your established home flocks for 30 days. Keep pests (rodents, raccoons, opossums) out of bird pens. Keep visitors out of your bird areas – what may they be carrying on their feet, clothing or vehicles?
Keep it CLEAN -- Clean cages & coops. Clean any equipment first before it comes onto your property. Wear designated farm shoes and clothing to care for your birds. Change food & water daily. Wash your vehicles/trailers after visiting other poultry facilities and before you come home – go through a car wash.
USDA Avian Influenza web page
SC Prepares for Avian Influenza
Clemson AI brochure
SC Biosecurity brochure
For South Carolina poultry flocks -- Report to me if you have multiple birds who are severely sick or dying within a few days’ time – we will test for AI. Email (jhelm@clemson.edu), call or text – 803-260-6442. If I do not respond, then call the Clemson Livestock Poultry Health main line: 803-788-2260."
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According to what I can find, all states are open for now. I hear that OH has restrictions on birds coming in from several states and there is at least one state that does not allow birds to cross into State events. Any body have any more current information? Thanks!