Avian flu spreads to pet birds in Vermont

A yard flock in Vermont was disgusted with H5N1, agriculture officers stated Thursday, following other reviews of chicken flu-related animal deaths this month, past business farms and wildlife.

The U.S. Division of Agriculture and state regulators stated they turned conscious of the incident on Dec. 18, after a chicken from the non-commercial flock died. The subsequent day, they confirmed the presence of an H5N1 pressure of extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), and extra deaths adopted within the flock of two dozen “non-poultry” birds. (Officers didn’t specify the kind or forms of birds.) The Vermont Company of Agriculture, Meals and Markets (VAAFM) stated it quarantined after which killed the remainder of the flock.

Information of the sick birds got here as introduced by the Oregon Division of Agriculture. linked to the death of a domestic cat to an H5N1 pressure detected in Northwest Naturals model “uncooked and frozen pet meals.” And earlier in December, an outbreak at a Washington state wildlife sanctuary killed 20 big cats. These incidents are a part of a broader wave of H5N1 sicknesses affecting poultry, livestock, cats and people, in addition to wild birds. Nevertheless, Vermont officers stated of the yard herd: “Laboratory testing has confirmed that this case of HPAI shouldn’t be the pressure presently affecting dairy cattle herds in different states within the nation. »

The VAAFM added: “Though HPAI is taken into account to pose a low threat to human well being, people who’ve had contact with contaminated birds or their surroundings are being monitored by the Vermont Division of Well being. » Officers famous that this was the fourth such case involving yard flocks revealed within the state in lower than three years, and so they urged pet house owners to protect their birds and cattle contaminated with H5N1 with “acceptable biosecurity practices.”

The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention has documented 65 human cases of H5 avian influenza in america as of December 24, nearly all of it linked to dairy and poultry herds in California, Washington and Colorado. The company additionally stated it was conscious of seven “possible instances” in California, Washington, Arizona and Delaware.

Human infections have been largely delicate, however the CDC has confirmed the scenario. first “serious” case in america in early December. Authorities have linked this case to yard poultry and to not human-to-human transmission.

On its monitoring web site, the CDC wrote that “the present public well being threat [from bird flu] is weak. » The company however advises folks to keep away from shut contact with wild birds and any contaminated animals and to stick to pasteurized dairy products.