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Source: NCDA&CS, 4/5/22
State Veterinarian Mike Martin announced today that all
North Carolina poultry shows, and public sales will be suspended due to the
threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza. This includes all exhibitions,
farm tours, shows, sales, flea markets, auction markets, swaps and meets
pertaining to poultry and feathered fowl in North Carolina. These activities
are suspended until further notice. “This suspension is due to the continued spread of HPAI that has affected commercial and backyard flocks in numerous states, including North Carolina,” said Martin. “We do not make this decision lightly. HPAI is a serious threat to our poultry industry and this is a precaution to help limit the introduction of the virus to backyard and commercial flocks.” North Carolina joins several other states, including Georgia, that
have also cancelled or altered poultry events due to HPAI. Poultry owners
across the state need to practice strict biosecurity. This includes keeping
flocks indoors without access to outside and reporting sick birds to your local
veterinarian, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Veterinary Division, 919-707-3250, or the N.C. Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
System 919-733-3986. The warning signs of HPAI include:
- Reduced
energy, decreased appetite, and/or decreased activity
- Lower
egg production and/or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs
- Swelling
of the head, eyelids, comb and wattles
- Purple
discoloration of the wattles, comb and legs
- Difficulty
breathing, runny nares (nose), and/or sneezing
- Twisting
of the head and neck, stumbling, falling down, tremors and/or circling
- Greenish
diarrhea
Since March 29, HPAI has been detected at seven commercial poultry
facilities in Johnston and Wayne counties. More than 90,000 turkeys and more
than 280,000 broilers have been depopulated and composted on-site to prevent
further spread of the virus. Additional updates to the current HPAI outbreak
will be posted to www.ncagr.gov/avianflu/newsroom.htm. This type of HPAI virus is considered a low risk to people
according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. There are no cases to date
of this strain of HPAI infecting a person. The virus is also not considered a
food safety threat and infected birds do not enter the food supply. All
properly cooked poultry products are safe to consume. More information about High Path Avian Influenza is online at www.ncagr.gov/avianflu.
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