December 2024: HPAI DETECTED IN wild snow geese in henderson county
On Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) announced confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in samples taken from wild snow geese at Sloughs Wildlife Management Area in Henderson County, Kentucky.
The suspect samples were sent to the University of Georgia’s Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study Virology Laboratory for further testing and confirmation. This detection poses an ongoing threat to our poultry industry, and a known potential threat to the dairy cattle and swine industries. Please use appropriate Biosecurity Measures to prevent the spread of the Influenza A HPAI virus into your production animals.
Please feel free to contact the Office of State Veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns related to Biosecurity, Food Safety & Security, or related issues. For more information, please see information from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife.
GET THE FACTS ABOUT AVIAN INFLUENZA
Avian influenza is a virus that affects bird populations. There are many different strains of avian influenza that cause varying degrees of illness in birds. The most common types of avian influenza are routinely detected in wild birds and cause little concern. Highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza are of greater concern because they are easily spread among birds and are typically deadly to domesticated poultry.
Avian influenza does not present a food safety risk, as poultry and eggs are safe to eat when handled and cooked properly. There is no risk to the food supply, but birds from the flock will not enter the food system. No human cases of avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States.
Current Statewide Situation:
- Total number of affected premises: 0
- Total number of affected counties: 0
- Total number of premises confirmed positive for HPAI in 2022: 4
- Total number of premises released from quarantine: 4
Premises by County:
- Fulton: 1 (quarantine lifted)
- Webster: 1 (quarantine lifted)
- Fayette: 1 (quarantine lifted)
- Logan: 1 (quarantine lifted)
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has quarantined a backyard poultry site in Fayette County after an HPAI detection in October 2022. Commercial poultry premises in Fulton and Webster counties tested positive in February 2022 and were released from quarantine by May 2022 after testing revealed no evidence of HPAI remaining post depopulation. Premises in Fulton and Webster counties were allowed to repopulate their flocks.
If you suspect a farm has sick birds, please call the sick bird hotline at 1-866-536-7593.
OCTOBER 2022: HPAI DETECTED IN FAYETTE COUNTY BACKYARD MIXED-SPECIES SITE
In October 2022, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture was alerted of unexplained deaths at a backyard mixed-species bird site in Fayette County. Testing at state and federal laboratories confirmed the presence of HPAI in samples from that flock.
FEBRUARY 2022: HPAI DETECTED IN FULTON COUNTY COMMERCIAL POULTRY OPERATION
On February 11, 2022, a commercial chicken operation in Fulton County alerted the Kentucky Department of Agriculture of an increase in poultry deaths. Testing at state and federal laboratories confirmed the presence of HPAI in samples from that flock.
RESOURCES FOR PRODUCERS
REPORTING SUSPECTED AI
If domestic poultry or other farm birds exhibit signs of avian influenza, bird owners should consult their local veterinary professional and notify State or Federal Animal Health Officials.
Birds infected with the HPAI virus may show one or more of the following signs:- Sudden death without clinical signs
- Lack of energy and appetite
- Significant decrease in water consumption
- Decreased egg production or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs
- Swelling of head, comb, eyelid, wattles, and hocks
- Purple discoloration of wattles, comb, and legs
- Nasal discharge, coughing, and sneezing
- Incoordination; or
- Diarrhea
Sick or dead farm birds can be reported to USDA toll-free at 1-866-536-7593.
RESOURCES FOR CONSUMERS AND THE PUBLIC
- Centers for Disease Control guidance regarding avian influenza
- The CDC states, “as a general precaution, people should avoid wild birds and observe them only from a distance; avoid contact with domestic birds (poultry) that appear ill or have died; and avoid contact with surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces from wild or domestic birds.”
- The CDC also states, “It is rare for people to get infected with bird flu viruses, but it can happen. Bird flu viruses can infect people when enough virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose, or mouth, or is inhaled. This might happen when the virus is in the air (in droplets or possibly dust) and a person breathes it in, or when a person touches something that has the virus on it and then touches their mouth, eyes, or nose.” Please consult CDC guidance for further information.
- Again, there is no evidence that any human cases of avian influenza have ever been acquired by eating properly cooked poultry products.