Office of the Kentucky State Veterinarian

OSV Headlines

POULTRY SWAP MEET UPDATE - April 18, 2017

On Friday, 14 April 2017, Dr. Robert Stout, the Kentucky State Veterinarian, announced the release of the surveillance zones for the Christian County (Kentucky) Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus outbreak. Testing in the surveillance zone showed negative results, giving confidence in an absence of the virus in the area.

After review of the disease status in Kentucky and other states with incidents of the virus as well as current and predicted environmental conditions, the Kentucky State Veterinarian is releasing restrictions on commingling poultry sales and exhibitions. Effective immediately, poultry restrictions issued on 21 March 2017 are rescinded. All sales and exhibitions must be conducted in compliance with Kentucky statutes and regulations. The Kentucky State Veterinarian reminds all poultry owners to practice strict biosecurity and to be conscious of disease threats.

POULTRY SWAP MEET RESTRICTION - March 21, 2017

Dear Stakeholder:

Avian Influenza, commonly referred to as “Bird Flu”, is a highly contagious virus that affects domestic poultry and is believed to be spread by migrating wild birds. Transmission of Avian Influenza is primarily lateral, meaning that it spreads from bird to bird through direct or indirect contact. The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the virus in its Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) form in Tennessee in early March 2017. Additionally, the virus was found in its Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI) form at a flea market in Alabama and traced to a backyard premises. On March 17, 2017 the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) and USDA APHIS confirmed a presumptive positive test on poultry for LPAI in Kentucky. LPAI can convert to HPAI in poultry causing severe death loss in flocks.

In an effort to protect Kentucky’s backyard poultry, KDA’s Office of the State Veterinarian (OSV) is placing restrictions on movement of poultry in Kentucky. The KDA OSV anticipates these protective measures to be temporary and will be amended as disease and environmental conditions dictate.     
Effective this date, the following restrictions are imposed on poultry movements:

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Office of the State Veterinarian understands that these restrictions may adversely impact some individuals.  After much consideration, it has been determined these restrictions are necessary to address the risk posed by this highly infective virus. We will continue to monitor this situation and make regulatory adjustments as necessary to protect Kentucky’s poultry.

Sincerely,

Robert C. Stout, DVM
State Veterinarian/Executive Director

The USDA Import Number (animals coming into Kentucky from another country) is 301-851-3300.  The email address is:  VS.Live.Animal.Import.Export@aphis.usda.gov

• The VMLRP will pay up to $25,000 each year towards qualified educational loans of eligible veterinarians who agree to serve in a NIFA designated veterinarian shortage situations for a period of three years.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture's Office of the State Veterinarian is requested in the early part of each year to make the shortage area nominations for the State and to designate the type of shortage (Type I, Type II or Type III) for each area. These nominations are reviewed by the NIFA program and all or a portion of the areas will be approved and posted on the NIFA site listed above. Once the areas are designated veterinarians make application directly to NIFA to fill one of the designated areas. There are specific deadlines for applications that are listed on the NIFA site each year.