Latest news with #MississippiBoardofAnimalHealth
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mississippi warns of New World Screwworm threat to animals
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi Board of Animal Health (MBAH) urged animal owners to be aware of New World Screwworm (NWS). Officials said the invasive pest poses a serious threat to livestock and other warm-blooded animals, including pets, and in rare cases, humans. US cattle ban to last 15 days, president of Mexico says Adult screwworm flies have orange eyes, a metallic blue or green body, and three dark stripes along their backs. The unique ability of screwworm larvae to feed on fresh flesh is what makes this insect so dangerous to livestock and other animals. NWS was eradicated from the United States decades ago. According to MBAH, recent detections of the pest in Mexico highlights the potential for reintroduction and spread, particularly in southern states. In addition, the northward spread of NWS is possible through natural wildlife movements. USDA has suspended live cattle, horse, and bison imports through U.S. ports of entry along the southern border. Animal owners should inspect wounds and treat them promptly. What to Look For: Wounds that won't heal or worsen over time Foul-smelling discharge or visible larvae (maggots) in a wound Signs of discomfort or unusual behavior, such as animals avoiding feed or isolating themselves If you suspect NWS, contact the MBAH at 601-359-1170 or 888-722-3106 (after hours). Contact your local veterinarian for assistance with treating your animal for suspicious wounds. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rabid bat in Mississippi leads to quarantine for two puppies
TIPPAH COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – According to the Mississippi Board of Animal Health (MBAH), a bat tested positive for rabies in Tippah County. Officials said two puppies that had had potential exposure to the bat have been quarantined as per state regulation. According to health experts, rabies virus is found in bats in Mississippi, and the virus is found in feral and wild animals in bordering states. Rabies is a viral disease of mammals that is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal or through the contamination of a fresh wound with saliva from an infected animal. Since 1961, there have been two confirmed cases of rabies in Mississippi: In 2005, a 10-year-old child died from rabies, and in 2015, a feral cat tested positive for rabies. In both cases, the rabies virus came from an infected bat. Deadly illness spreading twice as fast in 2025, surpasses 9,000 cases If you are bitten by a potential rabid animal, contact your healthcare provider. Post exposure prophylaxis treatment is highly effective at preventing rabies in humans. Mississippians can help protect themselves against rabies by taking the following precautions: Do not handle live or dead stray animals and avoid contact with wild animals that can carry the rabies virus such as raccoons, bats, skunks, foxes and coyotes. If you see an animal acting strangely, contact your local Animal Control officials. If you find a sick or dead bat in your home, contact MSDH (601) 576-7400 to see if the bat should be tested for rabies. Vaccinate pets against rabies: Dogs, cats, and ferrets should be vaccinated against rabies at 3 months of age, one year later, and every three years thereafter (using a vaccine approved with 3-year immunity), as required by state law. This vaccination must be administered under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. 'Rabies vaccinations are very effective in protecting people and pets from this deadly virus. It is key these vaccinations stay up-to-date and for pet owners to follow the rabies vaccination schedule required by law,' said Jim Watson, state veterinarian. Every person in the state who owns, or has in his or her possession, any dog, cat, or ferret three months or over must have the animal vaccinated against rabies. All dogs, cats, and ferrets three months or older transported or moved into the state for any purpose must be accompanied by proof of current rabies vaccination per guidelines outlined in the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians Rabies Compendium. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mississippi reports first outbreak of highly pathogenic bird flu strain in US since 2017
Mississippi state and federal officials have confirmed an outbreak of a strain of bird flu not reported in the U.S. since 2017, with quarantine and depopulation efforts already underway. In a statement released March 12, the Mississippi Board of Animal Health stated that poultry from a commercial broiler breeder chicken flock in Noxubee County had tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). 'The State Veterinarian has quarantined the affected premises, and birds on the property have been depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock have not entered the food system,' the board stated. Greg Flynn, spokesperson for the Mississippi State Department of Health, confirmed to The Hill that his department was aware of the outbreak and that no human cases have been reported. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Department of Agriculture confirmed the outbreak was linked to the H7N9 strain, marking the first outbreak of this strain occurring in commercial poultry in the U.S. since 2017. The APHIS noted this outbreak is unrelated to the H5N1 bird flu outbreaks currently impacting commercial flocks in other parts of the U.S. 'The flock of roughly 46,000 birds was experiencing high mortality, and samples tested at the Mississippi Veterinary Research & Diagnostic Laboratory, a member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, were presumptive positive for HPAI then confirmed at APHIS' National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL),' the agency stated. Both the Mississippi Board of Animal Health and the APHIS said the risk to the public remains low as the virus is not a food safety risk when eggs and poultry are properly handled and cooked. The Mississippi board called on home poultry owners to practice 'good biosecurity' and to be aware of signs of bird flu symptoms. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
17-03-2025
- Health
- The Hill
Mississippi reports first outbreak of highly pathogenic bird flu strain in US since 2017
Mississippi state and federal officials have confirmed an outbreak of a strain of bird flu not reported in the U.S. since 2017, with quarantine and depopulation efforts already underway. In a statement released on March 12, the Mississippi Board of Animal Health (MBAH) stated that poultry from a commercial broiler breeder chicken flock in Noxubee County had tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza. 'The State Veterinarian has quarantined the affected premises, and birds on the property have been depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock have not entered the food system,' the MBAH stated. Greg Flynn, spokesperson for the Mississippi State Department of Health, confirmed to The Hill that his department was aware of the outbreak and that no human cases have been reported. The Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Department of Agriculture confirmed the outbreak was linked to the H7N9 strain, marking the first outbreak of this strain occurring in commercial poultry in the U.S. since 2017. APHIS noted this outbreak is unrelated to the H5N1 bird flu outbreaks currently impacting commercial flocks in other parts of the U.S. 'The flock of roughly 46,000 birds was experiencing high mortality, and samples tested at the Mississippi Veterinary Research & Diagnostic Laboratory, a member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, were presumptive positive for HPAI then confirmed at APHIS' National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL),' stated the agency. Both the MBAH and APHIS said the risk to the public remains low as the virus is not a food safety risk when eggs and poultry are properly handled and cooked. The MBAH called on home poultry owners to practice 'good biosecurity' and to be aware of signs of symptoms of bird flu.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bird flu detected in Mississippi chicken flock
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi Board of Animal Health (MBAH) announced that poultry from a commercial broiler breeder chicken flock in Mississippi tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Officials with the MBAH were notified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratory about the positive test in Noxubee County. Samples from the flock were tested at the Mississippi Veterinary Research & Diagnostic Laboratory and confirmed at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. Egg prices continue to hit records as Easter and Passover approach, but some relief may be coming According to officials, the bird flu does not present a food safety risk, and poultry and eggs are safe to eat when handled and cooked properly. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the public health risk associated with avian influenza in birds remains low. The proper handling and cooking of all poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F is recommended as a general food safety precaution. According to the MBAH, the State Veterinarian has quarantined the affected premises, and birds on the property have been depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. They said birds from the flock have not entered the food system. The MBAH is actively working with the poultry industry to increase monitoring of flocks statewide. This finding is the third case of HPAI in commercial poultry in Mississippi since the spring of 2023. Since November 2024, HPAI has been detected in migratory waterfowl in multiple areas of Mississippi. The poultry industry was notified and put on high alert to increase biosecurity and surveillance for HPAI. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
