Colorado bird owners urged: Protect your poultry
Journal-Advocate.com
04/30/2015
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N2 and H5N8 in wild birds, as well as in backyard and commercial poultry flocks. The states with confirmed cases of HPAI in domestic poultry are: Arkansas, California, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin. The Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Colorado Egg Producers Association urge Colorado’s bird owners to take steps to protect their poultry from avian influenza.
“While there are currently no cases of HPAI in Colorado, the number of states with confirmed cases continue to increase. The best measure bird owners can take to protect their flocks is to increase their disease prevention practices,” said CDA’s State Veterinarian, Dr. Keith Roehr. “Whether you’re a commercial poultry operation or a backyard bird owner, a few simple steps can make a big difference in the health of your birds.”
“We are very concerned about the potential threat of the High Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak affecting poultry and egg laying farms in the Midwest region of the country,” said Jerry Wilkins, president of the Colorado Egg Producers Association. “Understanding that the source of the outbreak in the Midwest may have come from migrating birds through a regional flyway, the Colorado Egg Producers Association knows that a robust biosecurity plan is integral to protecting the health and welfare of our egg laying flocks.”
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