AUGUSTA, Maine — Editor's note: The attached video was originally posted on Feb. 22, 2023.
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) announced in a release Friday that avian influenza was confirmed in a domestic flock of non-poultry birds in York County this week.
This confirmation is the first instance of the virus in a domestic flock in Maine since the spring of 2023, emphasizing the ongoing need for vigilance as the disease continues to be a risk to domestic birds, the release stated.
The small flock of 60 birds suffered its first death in early January and then experienced ongoing losses, according to the release. The remaining flock was quarantined to prevent the spread of disease and depopulated this week by officials from DACF, with the agreement and understanding of the flock’s owners, officials said.
The full name for the disease is highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Though HPAI is considered low risk to human health, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention monitors people who had contact with infected birds or their environment, according to the release.
The virus is often initially introduced to domestic poultry by infected wild birds through direct contact or contact with their feces. While some waterfowl species can carry the disease without becoming sick, the HPAI virus is generally fatal for domestic poultry, according to officials. The DACF said risk factors for the spread of HPAI include:
- Poultry housed outside
- Ponds or other wild bird attractants on the farm
- Piles of debris located close to poultry areas
- Introduction of poultry from other farms without a quarantine period
- Lack of personal protective equipment such as dedicated coveralls and boots
- Sharing of equipment between flocks
- Unrestricted human movement and interaction with poultry
"All bird owners, from backyard pets to commercial farmers, are strongly encouraged to review biosecurity measures to ensure the health of their birds, restrict human movement onto the farm, and limit contact with poultry to only those who need to be there," the release stated. "Non-essential personnel and visitors should not be allowed."
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has materials about biosecurity, including videos, checklists, and a toolkit, available here.
Officials said bird owners should report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to USDA APHIS by calling toll-free at 866-536-7593, or the DACF at 207-287-3701.