On April 27, the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) received confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a Pondera County flock.
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Montana now has eight flocks confirmed infected as part of a wave of HPAI infections in the United States linked to the seasonal migrations of wild birds. HPAI has also been detected in Judith Basin, Cascade, Toole, Glacier, Missoula, Fergus, and Gallatin Counties.
“Montana continues to be in the crosshairs for HPAI infections from wild birds,†said Marty Zaluski, Montana State Veterinarian. “We hope that people are taking the risk to their poultry flocks seriously.â€
The primary complaint noticed for all of Montana’s affected flocks has been a large of number of bird mortalities. Samples from these flocks are submitted to the Montana Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (MVDL) and tested for the presence of avian influenza.
Infected flocks are placed under quarantine and are required to depopulate all remaining birds on the premises to prevent further disease spread. Flock owners are eligible to receive indemnity on birds from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Depopulation of the flock is expected to begin this week.
Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease of birds that can cause high mortality rates in domestic flocks. Migratory waterfowl are the primary source for avian influenza (AI).
Wild birds can be infected and appear healthy but shed virus in the feces, saliva, and respiratory secretions. Domestic poultry become infected through direct contact with infected wild birds, or through contact with contaminated objects, equipment, or the environment.
Sick birds can exhibit numerous signs such as swollen eyes, discolored comb and legs, significant drop in egg production or water and feed consumption, or sudden death.
The Centers for Disease Control recently announced a positive HPAI test in a symptomatic human involved in disease response activities. Additional testing is ongoing to determine the significance of this finding. CDC continues to consider the risk to people from wild birds, backyard flocks, and commercial poultry to be low. ■