{"id":27821,"date":"2023-11-16T14:07:03","date_gmt":"2023-11-16T19:07:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=27821"},"modified":"2023-11-16T14:07:03","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T19:07:03","slug":"poultry-farmers-urged-to-practice-enhanced-biosecurity-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2023\/11\/16\/poultry-farmers-urged-to-practice-enhanced-biosecurity-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Poultry Farmers Urged to Practice Enhanced Biosecurity"},"content":{"rendered":"

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High Path Avian Influenza Identified in Atlantic Flyway<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 16, 2023) \u2013 <\/b>The Maryland Department of Agriculture<\/strong> has partnered with the Maryland Farm Bureau<\/strong> and the Delmarva Chicken Association<\/strong> to remind all poultry farmers to remain vigilant and practice enhanced biosecurity on their farms as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)<\/strong> continues to confirm findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)<\/strong> in wild birds in the Atlantic Flyway.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs we are in peak migratory season, it is vital to review and implement your enhanced biosecurity measures to keep your flocks safe,\u201d said MDA Secretary Kevin Atticks<\/strong>. \u201cFrom commercial poultry growers to backyard flock owners, it is crucial for everyone to take proper steps to isolate their birds and wild waterfowl migrating along the Atlantic flyway.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

During this time of year, migratory waterfowl moving through Maryland present a heightened risk for HPAI, which is a potentially devastating disease for poultry operations. HPAI is caused by an influenza type A virus, which can infect poultry (chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quails, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl) and is carried by free flying waterfowl such as ducks, geese and shorebirds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cChicken growers know they are on the front line of defense against HPAI outbreaks, and they take that role seriously,\u201d said Holly Porter, Delmarva Chicken Association\u2019s Executive Director<\/strong>. \u201cFrom using dedicated footwear in each chicken house to ensuring wild birds and scavengers don\u2019t have access to spilled feed, everyday biosecurity measures can ensure their flocks, and our food supply, stay protected.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Growers are urged to follow these minimum guidelines to maintain a sanitary, biosecure premise:<\/span><\/p>\n