By Stephen Smoot
Last week, a backyard flock of chickens in Pocahontas County tested positive for the virus called Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu, specifically the H5N1 strain that has caused concern throughout the country.
This represents the second case discovered in West Virginia. Another backyard flock in Kanawha County contained the initial case for the Mountain State last February.
Jessica Hoover, a West Virginia University Extension agent based in Pendleton County, shared that most likely, the backyard flock contracted the virus from wild birds.
Beth Southern, Communications Director for the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, stated in a release yesterday that “the diagnosis was made following a field investigation, sample collection, and testing at WVDA’s Animal Health NAHLN lab in Moorefield.”
NAHLN stands for “National Animal Health Laboratory Network.” It is part of a United States Department of Agriculture “network of animal disease diagnostic laboratories that provides ongoing surveillance, responds quickly to disease events, communicates diagnostic outcomes to decision makers, and has the capability and capacity to meet diagnostic needs during animal disease outbreaks.”
The WVDA, following its emergency action plan, immediately placed “the affected premises” under quarantine and “depopulated” the birds “to prevent disease spread.” These measures “help to ensure the safety and integrity of the commercial food supply.”
Officials from the WVDA also notified industry partners, West Virginia State health officials, and Commonwealth of Virginia agricultural officials. The State will continue to follow established protocols, “ensuring the protection of the industry.”
WVDA officials also shared a list of precautions that poultry owners should follow to protect their own birds, as well as those of surrounding growers.
These include:
Limit, monitor, and record any movement of people, vehicles, or animals on or off the farm.
Permit only essential workers and vehicles to enter the farm.
Avoid visiting other poultry farms or unnecessary travel off the farm.
Disinfect equipment, vehicles, footwear, and other items in contact with flocks.
Keep flocks away from wild or migratory birds, especially waterfowl.
Isolate any ill animals and contact your veterinarian immediately.
Poultry owners should report unusual death loss, a drop in egg production, or any sick domestic birds to WVDA’s Animal Health Division at 304-558-2214.
As Southern explains, “Avian influenza is an airborne respiratory virus that spreads easily among chickens through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure. The virus also infects a wide variety of other birds, including wild migratory waterfowl. HPAI has been detected in various species of mammals—presumably after the animals come into contact with infected wild birds.”
Last March, USDA scientists discovered an outbreak of the virus in dairy cattle that spread to 16 states. The National Institute of Health reported on New Years’ Eve that “the virus has been detected in dairy herds in three states over the past 30 days.”
Hoover stresses that dairy cattle remain vulnerable to this strain of avian influenza. She stated that “if milk is unpasteurized, it can be transmitted through . . . raw milk” and even transmit to humans. Hoover then stressed, however, that health officials continue to emphasize the low risk of transmission to humans.
Protecting flocks, especially commercial flocks, must remain a priority – especially in areas such as Hardy and Pendleton counties with high flock populations. Ward Malcolm, from the West Virginia Poultry Association urged that “the only thing anyone can really say is biosecurity, biosecurity, biosecurity. Follow your procedures and avoid any contact with wild birds.”
He concurred with Hoover that “most of the spread of the disease is due to wild bird movements.”
“The WVDA acted swiftly to contain the disease and remains committed to collaborating with poultry owners to prevent its spread,” stated West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. “As the state’s leading agricultural commodity, protecting the poultry industry is critical, and implementing emergency response plans is essential to safeguarding its future.