ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 21, 2023) ~ The Maryland Department of Agriculture has confirmed a case of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI) in Caroline County. Following increased mortality of a broiler operation and investigation by the Maryland Department of Agriculture, it has been preliminarily confirmed that poultry from the affected farm has tested positive for HPAI.

State officials have quarantined all affected premises, and birds on the properties are being or have been depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from affected flocks will not enter the food system. Confirmation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory is pending with final results anticipated in the coming days.

Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks said, "High Pathogenic Avian influenza or HPAI does not affect poultry meat or egg products, which remain healthy and safe to eat and handle. Poultry growers, operators, and backyard flock owners should be on high alert of the threat of HPAI." He added that "The Maryland Department of Agriculture, local health department, USDA and partner organizations are working diligently to address the situation, including quarantining and testing nearby flocks."

Avian influenza is a highly contagious airborne respiratory virus that spreads easily among birds through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure. The virus can be spread in various ways from flock to flock, including by wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers. This virus affects poultry such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys along with some wild bird species such as ducks, geese, shorebirds, and raptors.

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The Maryland Department of Health stated that there is a low risk for transmission between birds and humans; however they recommend certain biosecurity steps if HPAI is suspected on personal property or in a commercial operation. These steps include looking for signs of illness; reporting suspected sick birds; cleaning transportation; removing loose feed; keeping visitors to a minimum; washing hands before/after contact with live poultry; providing disposable boot covers/disinfectant footbaths for anyone having contact with flocks; changing clothes before entering/exiting poultry areas; cleaning/disinfecting tools/equipment before moving them to new facilities; etc.

For more information on avian influenza visit: https://mda.maryland.gov/Pages/AvianFlu.aspx Due to biosecurity concerns no on-site interviews photos or video are allowed for media requests email: jessica.hackett2@maryland.gov

In response to an increased mortality rate at a broiler operation in Caroline County Maryland state laboratory testing has detected a case of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI). The Maryland Department of Agriculture has quarantined all affected premises while birds on these properties are being depopulated in order to prevent further spread of this disease which will not enter into the food system according to state officials who are awaiting confirmation from U.S Department Of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratory (USDA).

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Maryland Department Of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks said "High Pathogenic Avian Influenza or HPAI does not affect poultry meat or egg products which remain healthy and safe to eat and handle" He also noted that "Poultry growers operators and backyard flock owners should be on high alert for this threat" adding that "The Maryland Department Of Agriculture local health department USDA along with partner organizations are working diligently to address this situation including quarantining nearby flocks"

Avian Influenza is an airborne respiratory virus which spreads easily among birds through nasal eye secretions as well as manure It can be spread through contact with infected poultry equipment clothing shoes etc It affects both domestic poultry such as chickens ducks turkeys along with some wild bird species like ducks geese shorebirds raptors etc The risk for transmission between birds & humans is low according to The Maryland Department Of Health who recommends certain biosecurity steps if HPAI is suspected These include looking for signs & symptoms reporting sick birds cleaning transportation removing loose feed keeping visitors minimal washing hands before & after contact providing disposable boot covers disinfectant footbaths changing clothes before entering & exiting areas cleaning & disinfecting tools & equipment etc For more information visit https://mda maryland gov/Pages/AvianFlu Aspx Due To biosecurity concerns no on-site interviews photos or video are allowed For media requests email jessica hackett2@maryland gov

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