Alaska: 2022 Bird flu in poultry

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat...n-alaska-identified-in-mat-su-backyard-flock/

First case of avian flu in Alaska identified in Mat-Su backyard flock
By Anchorage Daily News
Updated: 8 minutes ago Published: 11 minutes ago

Alaska has identified its first case involving the highly pathogenic bird flu viruses that have led to the deaths of millions of birds across the Lower 48 this year.

The case in Alaska involved “a non-commercial backyard flock of chickens and ducks in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough,” the state Department of Environmental Conservation said in a statement Saturday...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://dec.alaska.gov/commish/pres...erinarian-confirms-avian-influenza-in-alaska/

Office of the State Veterinarian Confirms Avian Influenza in Alaska

• For immediate release: October 11, 2022

Anchorage, AK — Two domestic poultry flocks in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough have been confirmed to have highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). One flock was a backyard chicken flock, and the other was a mix of poultry species. There has been a total of four backyard flocks and over 570 wild bird detections statewide in 2022.

As wild birds are now migrating south, there is an increased risk of domestic poultry being exposed to HPAI. Flock owners should work to maintain separation between wild birds and their flocks. This may include not allowing poultry to free-range, especially if there are wild ducks or geese in the area, or if they are close to bodies of water that could be contaminated with the virus. Covering coops and runs also helps to protect poultry from birds flying overhead.

Sudden death of multiple birds in the flock, nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, or respiratory distress are very concerning and should be reported. Other signs of HPAI include a significant drop in water consumption, diarrhea, lethargy, abnormal behavior or difficulty walking, blue discoloration of the comb and wattles, or swollen comb, wattles, legs, or head...