{"id":28021,"date":"2024-02-21T08:54:18","date_gmt":"2024-02-21T13:54:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=28021"},"modified":"2024-02-21T08:54:18","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T13:54:18","slug":"preliminary-testing-confirms-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-in-a-charles-county-backyard-flock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2024\/02\/21\/preliminary-testing-confirms-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-in-a-charles-county-backyard-flock\/","title":{"rendered":"Preliminary Testing Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in a Charles County Backyard Flock\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

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ANNAPOLIS, MD\u00a0 (February 21, 2024)<\/strong>\u2014 State laboratory testing has detected a case of highly pathogenic\u00a0H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI)<\/strong>\u00a0in a\u00a0Charles County<\/strong>\u00a0backyard flock. State Department of Agriculture officials have quarantined all affected premises, and birds on the properties are being or have been depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from affected flocks will not enter the food system.<\/p>\n

Confirmation by the\u00a0U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory<\/strong>\u00a0is pending with final results anticipated in the coming days.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe latest non-negative result should serve as a reminder for all poultry growers, operators, and backyard flock owners to remain vigilant when it comes to the threat of HPAI, especially as the spring migratory season begins,\u201d said\u00a0Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks<\/strong>. \u201cRegardless of flock size, biosecurity remains the most effective way to prevent the spread of this disease among poultry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Avian influenza is a highly contagious airborne respiratory virus that spreads easily among birds through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure. The virus can be spread in various ways from flock to flock, including by wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers. This virus affects chickens, ducks, and turkeys, along with some wild bird species such as ducks, geese, shorebirds, and raptors.<\/p>\n

According to the\u00a0Maryland Department of Health<\/strong>, the risk of transmission between birds and the general public is low.<\/p>\n

The Maryland Department of Agriculture recommends the following common-sense biosecurity steps if HPAI is suspected on personal property, wild birds, or in a commercial operation.<\/p>\n