USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has confirmed the presence of avian influenza in three wild geese and a non-commercial backyard flock in Illinois. The geese were in Will County and the backyard poultry flock was in McLean County. The geese and birds within the flock tested positive for the highly pathogenic Eurasian H5 avian influenza.
Avian influenza has been identified in recent weeks in wildlife, backyard and commercial bird populations throughout the U.S., including Nebraska, Indiana, Iowa and Michigan.
Given the disease’s arrival in the state’s wildlife and backyard poultry populations, Illinois Department of Agriculture officials remind poultry producers to monitor flocks closely for signs of avian influenza.
“If you look at the map, several states have had either wild bird or commercial detections this year, and many of them have been neighboring states,” says Staci Slager, IDOA animal health and welfare bureau chief. The Illinois wild geese case reinforces and demonstrates avian influenza is circulating in the migratory wild bird population this year.
Slager says avian influenza is always potentially circulating within the wild bird population, but they don’t often show signs of illness. But this strain is a highly pathogenic, or infectious, H5 avian influenza causing the outbreak across the nation.
As for the backyard poultry case, IDOA officials say the department is working with APHIS to develop an incident response. IDOA has quarantined the backyard flock and premises. These birds will be depopulated to prevent disease spread and will not be used for food production. And commercial poultry operations aren’t off the hook just because the first of detections in Illinois were in wild birds and backyard poultry, Slager says. The wild bird and backyard poultry populations could expose commercial poultry flocks to the illness, serving as a source of introduction.
While Illinois isn’t a top-producing chicken and turkey state in the U.S., Slager says a mass outbreak throughout commercial, exhibition and backyard flocks could still burden the Illinois poultry industry.
Slager says now is a good time to revisit your biosecurity plan and practice biosecurity measures. Wear clean clothes and shoes around your flock, clean your vehicle tires after visiting the neighbor’s farm, and don’t share equipment with other flock owners.
And know the following indications of avian influenza:
decrease in water or feed consumption
increase in flock deaths
decrease in egg production
respiratory signs such as cough and sneezing
“If you see something concerning within your flock, don't hesitate to give us a call,” Slager says, adding it takes everyone to help manage the outbreak and protect the poultry industry.
Producers who notice any signs of avian influenza can call the IDOA at 217-782-4944 or the USDA at 866-536-7593.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these recent avian influenza cases aren’t a reason for a current public health concern. There’s been no detection of avian influenza in humans in the U.S.
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