HARRISBURG, Pa. — Wolf Administration officials have reiterated the importance of biosecurity precautions to protect Pennsylvanian’s poultry industry from devastating losses like those experienced in mid-western states during recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, a viral disease that affects birds.
“Effective biosecurity is the best way to protect Pennsylvania poultry in autumn, when waterfowl fly south for the winter. This annual migration increases the risk of avian influenza being passed from wild birds to the state’s commercial poultry and backyard flocks,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “International outbreaks of the most dangerous strains of bird flu have been relatively limited, and there have been no reports of deadly avian influenza strains in our flyways. Awareness and caution are crucial to continue that trend.
“Pennsylvania produces 7.57 billion eggs per year. Whether you are a major poultry producer or own a backyard coop, there are best management practices — both common sense and cost-effective — that can dramatically reduce the risk of influenza to your chickens and turkeys at any time of year.”
Poultry owners and managers need to prepare and practice a flock plan to protect against highly pathogenic avian influenza, which led to the death or destruction of 40 million birds in 15 states during 2015. The Department of Agriculture offers a fill-in-the-blank flock protection plan on its website. Following these guidelines for overall flock health will build on existing biosecurity plans that have focused heavily on avian influenza prevention.
Biosecurity plans are the best protection for Pennsylvania poultry, regardless of the flock size or management style. This year’s National Poultry Improvement Plan inspections will include a review of biosecurity plans. In addition, USDA has inferred that future indemnity payments will only be given to producers who have adequate biosecurity and flock plans in place prior to the outbreak.
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service recommends prevention strategies for poultry owners on its website:
- Limit access to your property. Do not allow visitors unless necessary.
- Maintain biosecurity procedures for cleanliness. Pay special attention to shoes, hands, equipment, and machinery. Maintain programs to control feral birds and rodents.
- If you must visit places that have other poultry or livestock, be sure to clean and disinfect your car/truck tires and any equipment you used. Wash hands thoroughly, wear shoe covers or clean and disinfect your shoes/boots, and always change your clothes.
- Do not borrow tools or equipment from other producers who also have poultry.
- Know the clinical signs for disease in your flocks, and call for professional help if unusual disease or severe disease is detected.
- Report serious or unusual health problems to your veterinarian, local extension office, or state or federal animal health officials as quickly as possible. The state Department of Agriculture maintains a 24-hour phone line at 717-772-2852.
- Please remember that effective biosecurity is your first and best line of defense. Plans on paper mean very little if the best practices are not used and practiced each day. Only allow clean and sanitized equipment to service your farm or make deliveries. Restrict visitors and unnecessary personnel. Prevent contact between your flock and feral birds or waterfowl. Always do your best to minimize contact with rodents and other pests.
- Complete and review your flock plan on a regular basis. Additional information is available from Penn State Extension, if you need help.
— Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture