A poultry and sales exhibition hung in West Virginia – Lootpress

Charleston, WV (Lootpress) – the Ministry of Agriculture of Western Virginia (WVDA) stops all exhibitions of poultry, shows, swaps, meetings and sales of flea or auction markets in response to the ongoing threat of highly pathogenic influenza (HPAI ). This decision follows the latest confirmations of HPAI in commercial birds in many surrounding states, as well as a confirmed case in a herd of the backyard in the Corkhontas County earlier this month. In addition, federal and state -owned wildlife agencies have discovered the virus in wild bird populations through ongoing surveillance efforts.

“This is a serious threat to the home industry of Western Virginia, which is the largest common contribution to the economy of our state animal industry – this action provides additional protection,” said Western Virginia Commissioner Kent Leonhard. “This national outburst continues since 2022. We have worked closely with stakeholders in the poultry industry and our interdepartmental partners to prepare and react when it is necessary for the outbreak of West Virginia.”

HPAI has been discovered at the regional level in both commercial and backyard birds, with cases rising throughout the country before the spring migrating season of waterfowl. For detailed information on the discovery of HPAI in the United States, please see the cases of commercial, backyard and wildlife in the United States (USDA Aphis). In early April, the general HPAI status in the region will be reassessed with the possibility of resuming poultry sales on the market.

As a reminder to prevent the spread of the disease, WVDA calls on the owners of birds to:

• Limit, monitor and record any movement of humans, vehicles or animals on or off the farm.
• They only allow major workers and vehicles to enter the farm.
• Avoid visiting other poultry or unnecessary trip from the farm.
• Disinfect equipment, vehicles, shoes and other items in contact with herds.
• Replace clothes before you enter poultry and before you leave the property.
• Keep the herds away from wild or migrating birds, especially waterfowl.
• Isolate all sick animals and contact your veterinarian immediately.

For additional precautions against the virus, visit the CDC Bird Flu Guide.

The owners of poultry should take into account an unusual loss of death, a decline in the production of eggs or any sick poultry in the WVDA animal health department of 304-558-2214.