Avian Flu Alert and What You Need To Do
/
TO: Georgia Organic Poultry Producers and All Georgia Poultry Producers Raising Birds with Outside Access (Free Range)
FROM: Robert M. Cobb, DVM
State Veterinarian
SUBJECT: Notification and Biosecurity Recommendations regarding Introduction of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
Due to the recent finding of H7N8 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Indiana on January 14, 2016, and in an effort to minimize the risk of introduction of HPAI into our Georgia poultry flocks, effective immediately and until further notice, all Georgia Organic and Free Range Poultry Producers must implement the following:
- All poultry with outside access must be moved into biosecure housing immediately. If this is not possible, Georgia Department of Agriculture should be notified.
- Implement strict biosecurity on these premises. Alert all company personnel, growers, farm workers and service personnel of the increased risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Especially focus biosecurity methods on preventing any exposure to wild waterfowl or their droppings.
- Monitor all flocks for increased mortality or clinical signs consistent with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), and report any concerns immediately. The consistent clinical sign in all the current reported cases to this point has been a marked rapid increase in mortality over several days.
- Please contact the HPAI HOTLINE for reporting or for questions related to HPAI.
Georgia Department of Agriculture www.ga-ai.org (855) 491-1432
Georgia Poultry Laboratory www.gapoultry.org (770) 766-6850
