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Utah commercial poultry flock discovered to have bird flu

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Cache County, Utah – The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) reports that a commercial poultry flock in Cache County has contracted Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also referred to as bird flu.

Utah State Veterinarian Dr. Daniel Christensen stated, “Our team was immediately dispatched to assess the situation after our office was notified of symptomatic birds in Cache County.” “The right actions are being taken to stop the disease from spreading further.”

According to the UDAF, the region where the birds were discovered has been placed under quarantine, and the diseased birds will be “depopulated” in order to stop the sickness from spreading.

In order to respond to the crisis, UDAF officials are collaborating with the Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). More testing and monitoring are apparently planned in the vicinity of the impacted flock.

A press release from the UDAF says that poultry owners should keep a close eye out for signs of HPAI, which include increased flock mortality, nasal discharge, decreased appetite or water consumption, and lack of coordination in birds. “If your birds exhibit any of these symptoms, please get in touch with statevet@utah.gov, the State Veterinarian’s office right away.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that there is no immediate public health risk regarding the latest HPAI detections.

“Proper handling and cooking of all poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F is recommended as a general food safety precaution,” officials are warning the public.

According to the UDAF, anybody engaged in the production of poultry, regardless of size, should assess the health of their birds and take the necessary safety measures. The UDAF website has resources on biosecurity, such as checklists, videos, and a toolbox.

 

 

 

 

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