Commonground
Senior Moderator
Jan 30, 2025
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) is suspending all poultry exhibitions, shows, swaps, meets, and sales at flea markets or auction markets in response to the ongoing threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
Officials say this decision follows recent HPAI confirmations in commercial poultry operations in multiple surrounding states, as well as a confirmed case in a backyard flock in Pocahontas County earlier this month.
Additionally, federal and state wildlife agencies have detected the virus in wild bird populations through ongoing surveillance efforts.
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In early April, the overall HPAI status in the region will be reassessed, with the possibility of resuming poultry sales at markets.
As a reminder, to prevent the spread of the disease, WVDA urges poultry owners to:
Poultry owners should report unusual death loss, egg production drops, or sick domestic birds to WVDA’s Animal Health Division at 304-558-2214.
continued: https://www.wtrf.com/top-stories/west-virginia-suspends-all-poultry-events-because-bird-flu-threat/
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) is suspending all poultry exhibitions, shows, swaps, meets, and sales at flea markets or auction markets in response to the ongoing threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
Officials say this decision follows recent HPAI confirmations in commercial poultry operations in multiple surrounding states, as well as a confirmed case in a backyard flock in Pocahontas County earlier this month.
Additionally, federal and state wildlife agencies have detected the virus in wild bird populations through ongoing surveillance efforts.
-snip-
In early April, the overall HPAI status in the region will be reassessed, with the possibility of resuming poultry sales at markets.
As a reminder, to prevent the spread of the disease, WVDA urges poultry owners to:
- Limit, monitor, and record any movement of people, vehicles, or animals on or off the farm.
- Only essential workers and vehicles are permitted to enter the farm.
- Avoid visiting other poultry farms or unnecessary travel off the farm.
- Disinfect equipment, vehicles, footwear, and other items in contact with flocks.
- Change clothes before entering poultry areas and before exiting the property.
- Keep flocks away from wild or migratory birds, especially waterfowl.
- Isolate any ill animals and contact your veterinarian immediately.
Poultry owners should report unusual death loss, egg production drops, or sick domestic birds to WVDA’s Animal Health Division at 304-558-2214.
continued: https://www.wtrf.com/top-stories/west-virginia-suspends-all-poultry-events-because-bird-flu-threat/