Latest news with #HighPathAvianInfluenza
American Military News
01-05-2025
- Health
- American Military News
NC poultry farms are free of bird flu, a greenlight to expanding exports
The World Organization for Animal Health this week declared North Carolina's commercial poultry farms bird flu-free, lifting a months-long suspension of poultry exports, according to a N.C. Department of Agriculture release. Since January, a High Path Avian Influenza outbreak in the state's commercial poultry flock has stopped farmers from exporting and trading their birds to some foreign counties. Perhaps the biggest market that closed was China, which buys chicken feet — or paws, as they are called — from growers in the state. 'This will help North Carolina poultry industry as a total a whole lot,' said Bob Ford, executive director of the North Carolina Poultry Federation. 'I would say some of those shipments have been sitting on back order waiting.' Ford said it was unclear when overseas shipments would resume, but now that the world organization has designated North Carolina's commercial flock bird flu-free, nothing is stopping them from restarting. The state exported about $347 million worth of poultry and poultry products last year, according to the agricultural department. While North Carolina was barred from exporting poultry, other states filled the demand, said Jeffrey Dorfman, professor of agricultural and resource economics at North Carolina State University. But that's not ideal, he said. 'In a year with a lot of turmoil in agriculture, it is nice to get some good news and for farmers to get some money in their pockets,' he said. North Carolina bird flu outbreaks North Carolina farmers suffered a trio of bird flu outbreaks in January, the only outbreaks to happen at commercial flocks so far this year. The first outbreak happened Jan. 7 at a chicken egg farm in Hyde County. There, 3.3 million birds had to be killed or composted. On Jan. 27, 1,856 turkeys had to be killed at a farm in Sampson County. And a day later, some 24,400 more turkeys had to be destroyed at a separate Sampson County farm, according to the agriculture department. 'Compared to other states, we've done a pretty good job of managing HPAI,' said Heather Overton, a spokesperson for the state Department of Agriculture. By comparison, Ohio has had 78 infected commercial flocks this year, totaling more than 25 million birds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Pennsylvania has had 40 infected flocks totaling 7 million birds. Poultry is king in NC Thousands of farms raise chicken and turkeys for corporations in large, long and tightly packed barns across the state. Many farms sit just north or east of Mecklenburg County. Others stretch from north to south near Interstate 95 to the east. North Carolina ranks first among all states in poultry and egg cash receipts, according to the agricultural department. Farmers here raise about a billion birds per year, most of which are broiler chickens — or chickens raised for meat. Broiler chickens are the state's top agricultural commodity, bringing in some $5.6 billion in cash receipts for farmers each year, according to the agricultural department. This week's declaration doesn't mean there couldn't be a new freeze on exports and international trade, Overton said. North Carolina sits along a popular flyway for migrating birds, which can spread avian flu from farm to farm, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Farm equipment and workers can transport it too if they carry traces of infected bird manure or saliva into barns. 'Just because we have been declared HPAI-free does not mean that the risk of HPAI is gone,' Overton said. 'As long as it's in wild birds, there's always a chance it can get into our own birds.' ___ © 2025 The News & Observer. Distributed at Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Backyard flock in Dare County tests positive for bird flu
DARE COUNTY, N.C. (WAVY) — Dare County has its first confirmed positive case of High Path Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu. A lab in Raleigh identified the positive sample from a backyard flock in Dare County. The flock has been depopulated to prevent spread of the disease. In January, HPAI was found in two commercial turkey operations in Sampson County and a layer operation in Hyde County. 'It is likely that HPAI remains in our resident wild bird population and in migratory waterfowl, so reports of positive backyard flocks will likely happen on occasion,' said Dr. Mike Martin, state veterinarian. 'I encourage our commercial and backyard flock owners to continue to follow strict biosecurity measures and if your flock is experiencing a sudden higher-than-normal mortality rate, report it right away to your local veterinarian or to the N.C. Department of Agriculture Veterinary Division at 919-707-3250.' According to the Centers for Disease Control, this type of HPAI virus is considered a low risk to humans, but is highly contagious to other birds. The virus is also not considered a food safety threat and infected birds do not enter the food supply. If you have questions about migratory birds, hunting, or wild waterfowl found dead on your property, visit the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's website at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Flock in Dare County tests positive for Bird Flu
DARE COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) — A backyard flock in Dare County has tested positive for High Path Avian Influenza. The positive sample was identified by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Raleigh. This is the first confirmed positive case in Dare County. According to a press release, Dr. Mike Martin, a state veterinarian says, 'It is likely that HPAI remains in our resident wild bird population and in migratory waterfowl, so reports of positive backyard flocks will likely happen on occasion.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bird Flu found in Sampson County, second in NC this year
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCT) — A commercial turkey operation in Sampson County has tested positive for High Path Avian Influenza, or Bird Flu. This is the second case in commercial poultry in North Carolina this year. It was first identified by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Raleigh before being confirmed at a lab in Ames, Iowa. Prior to this case, North Carolina has had 12 affected commercial flocks and eight backyard flocks. You can get more information here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Farmers, neighbors raise concerns of smell amid bird flu outbreak
A High Path Avian Influenza outbreak, otherwise known as bird flu, has resulted in the death of millions of commercial chickens and turkeys in Darke and Mercer counties. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] News Center 7′s Malik Patterson talks to farmers and neighbors about their new concerns LIVE on News Center 7 at 6:00. TRENDING STORIES: 2 men killed in Springfield shooting identified Around 12 grams of meth found during traffic stop in Mercer County Principal, teacher arrested at house party with over 100 juveniles, police say Over 3.7 million commercial chickens and more than 86,000 commercial turkeys in these counties were confirmed positive for bird flu on Jan. 23 and Jan. 24, according to a previous News Center 7 report. The Ohio Department of Agriculture's procedure is to quarantine the impacted facilities and to depopulate, or kill, the birds to prevent the disease from spreading. Some say the depopulated birds are making the area smell bad. 'I just hate hearing anything drastic like that happen to anybody,' Greenville resident Barb Bateman said. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
