These domestic Pekin and Campbells ducks resting in their enclosure in the Potomac Valley. Normally they are free to roam on the family ranch and swim in the creek and the pond. However, due to the outbreak of HPAI they are not allowed out of their enclosure to prevent them from being in direct contact with wild waterfowl. The netting over the top prevents unwelcome visitors. The owner has different water stimulations in their run to allow them to puddle and 'just be ducks.'
These free range chickens are now penned in their chicken house and coop in the Potomac Valley to prevent them from coming in contact with wild birds that may be carriers of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The owner is trying to make it as comfortable as possible for the chickens.
POTOMAC - The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in domestic birds in the Potomac Valley the week of April 18. The entire flock on the property was destroyed.
While wild birds with HPAI may not appear sick, it causes high mortality in poultry and game birds. There is no treatment or vaccine for animals. By press Tuesday at 10am, the Department of Livestock reported infections in flocks of domestic poultry in Glacier, Judith Basin, Cascade and Toole Counties.
According to the Department of Livestock (DOL), HPAI is a viral disease of chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, and many wild birds including waterfowl and raptors.
The virus can be spread through direct contact with infected bird's feces, saliva and respiratory secretions. The virus can survive in the environment on boots, clothing, equipment, food, water or through the air for short distances.
DOL Assistant State Veterinarian Dr. Tahnee Szymanski reported in an Avian Influenza meeting April 13 that preventing domestic birds from interacting with wild or migratory birds, especially waterfowl, is the best way to keep domestic birds from contracting the virus.
She said keep domestic birds out of ponds or slow moving streams where wild birds are so they do not come in contact with them. Ensure food and water sources are covered and not accessible to wild birds. Wash and disinfect items going on and off the farm using bleach or over-the-counter disinfectants for footwear, vehicles and equipment
Szymanski said that sudden death is the most obvious sign but in some cases there are rare clinical signs.
"It is really about trying to protect your animals and keep them from getting sick," Szymanski said. "If you have sick birds there is value in potentially considering reporting them early to your local veterinarian or [the Department of Livestock]."
If sick or dead birds are found on a property and reported, the DOL determines whether or not samples are needed based on the individual circumstances.
If samples are taken and they are confirmed that it is avian influenza related to the current outbreak, the premises are quarantined so no poultry can come on or off.
The next step is depopulation. All live birds on the property are destroyed within 24 hours to stop virus production. Depopulation is when large numbers of animals must be destroyed in response to an animal health emergency. This differs from euthanasia which involves transitioning an animal to death as painlessly and stress-free as possible. While euthanasia is preferable to depopulation, it is not always possible during an animal health emergency because of the need to move quickly to slow or stop disease spread.
Szymanski explained as long as there are sick birds, the virus is transmissible. With each new infection there are more and more virus particles being spread. Depopulating reduces the viral load on the landscape.
"[Depopulation] is an emergency way to manage a disease that is highly contagious, has a high mortality rate associated with it and no treatment or vaccination option," Szymanski said.
There are various ways the dead birds can be disposed of including composting, burying and incinerating.
"It is not a very desirable outcome to have it diagnosed in your flock," Szymanski said.
Szymanski said some people are inclined to not report sick birds. However commercial and backyard poultry producers can receive federal indemnity for any live birds left on the property. She said the payment can be significant enough to help pay for disposal and decontamination.
"If the flock is at risk it will likely kill all the birds anyway," Szymanski added.
Once the flock is removed, the property must be cleaned, disinfected and recommended to sit fallow for 150 days without birds. Over the course of 150 days there is enough environmental heat and drying of the virus to make it not contagious. If that is not an option for commercial producers, the owner can remove all organic material, dispose of it properly and take various steps to disinfect the property and equipment prior to resuming operations.
Surveillance will continue with canvassing in a 6.2-mile (10K) perimeter around the infected site. The Montana Disaster and Emergencies Services and DOL call this "the control zone." Properties with birds are identified, they are given information about HPAI to spread awareness of the disease and find out if they have any sick birds. If they do, they respond accordingly.
"Really it is just to ensure our [overseas] trading partners know that we are responding appropriately to this disease on the landscape and not creating risk for international movement of poultry and poultry products," Szymanski said.
Potomac Valley 4H Club Poultry Leader and flock owner Tiffany Waletzko raises chickens with her family. Her sons take the poultry project in 4H, enter birds in the Western Montana Fair and are pursuing other poultry interests.
"Our family has been watching Avian Influenza creep across the globe for the last few months, hoping it would pass [Potomac] by," Waletzko said.
She commented on how this strain is impacting wild birds, the commercial poultry industry and backyard flocks. On a local level, fairs, 4-H projects and poultry shows may be cancelled. It can also be very emotional for community members who just have pet birds and raise them for their own eggs and meat.
Wildlife is also being affected. It has been reported that wild geese, cormorants, ducks, pigeons, hawks, and even a bald eagle have succumbed to avian influenza.
"This means that there are many carriers and because of this fact backyard poultry owners should take extra care," Waletzko said.
On a larger scale, the commercial poultry industry has faced the loss of millions of birds.
"Egg and meat prices are increasing and with people already struggling in this current economy, we don't need to add to that," said Waletzko. "If we can isolate our birds from wild birds and neighboring flocks, we can potentially stop the spread of Avian Influenza in our area."
Waletzko advised residents to following the recommended biosecurity measures to protect flocks in the area. A complete list can be found at liv.mt.gov, the CDC, USDA, poultry specific websites, or poultry books.
• Try and restrict interaction between wild birds and domestic flocks.
• Temporarily stop feeding wild birds - it is bear season anyway!
• Temporarily restrict poultry to a coop or run.
• Consider tarping the top of the chicken run if it doesn't have a roof. This will keep will wild bird droppings from falling through.
• Clean up any spilled feed that might attract wild birds.
• Keep feeders and waterers clean and don't allow wild birds use of them.
• Don't share poultry related equipment with other people.
• Thoroughly clean all the equipment used in the coop.
• Clean coops at least once a week.
• Have specific shoes and outerwear for wearing only in and around the coop.
• Do not take poultry to any events.
• Wash hands before and after caring for poultry.
• Limit visitors to bird housing areas.
• Don't reuse egg cartons that have had farm fresh eggs in them from other flocks.
• Wash fresh eggs very well.
The CDC said the risk to human health associated with the current outbreak is low with no reported cases of human illness. It is safe to eat properly prepared poultry and poultry products when cooked to temperature of 165 F, the normal recommendation.
The outbreak started in Europe in 2021. In January of 2022, HPAI was confirmed in wild birds in South Carolina, and in February the first case of HPAI in domestic poultry was confirmed in Indiana. Because it spreads from migratory birds, it spreads from migratory flyway to flyway.
If someone finds a sick or dead domestic bird, they should report it to the Department of Livestock at 406-444-2976. If a sick or dead wild bird is found call the FWP wildlife veterinarian at 406-577-7880 or the lab 406-577-7882.
To watch the recording of the Avian Influenza meetings visit: https://youtu.be/vk9Z_t_o2hY for commercial producers and https://youtu.be/awQAX7dEYMA for backyard producers. For HPAI fast facts, information on depopulation, disposal, disinfecting and compensation visit https://www.seeleylake.com/home/customer_files/article_documents/2022_hpai_facts.pdf
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