A fast-spreading bird flu is now threatening the livelihood of New England farmers.
In the two months since the first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza was reported in Indiana, farmers across the country have killed nearly 23 million chickens and turkeys to limit its spread. With recent outbreaks of virus in New England, farmers in the region are taking precautions to prevent their flocks from meeting the same fate.
Jeremiah Vernon raises about 20,000 chickens a year just outside Stratham, New Hampshire. He is now moving the chickens who roam in pastures under cover to protect them from avian influenza.
“If we were to get AI [avian influenza], all the birds in the farm would have to be euthanized. And we would have not be allowed to have birds here for 150 days,” Vernon said.
Birds can contract the disease if they come into contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.
Anne Diemond Bacci, co-owner of Diamond Farm in Millers Falls, Massachusetts, said she is trying to prevent people who visit the farm from accidentally spreading the virus to their poultry.
“We have set up washing stations at all the entrances to the buildings. … We have mats that have sanitizer in them, and so when people come there's a sign that says, ‘Please wipe your feet on the provided mats,” she said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed one outbreak occurred at a backyard turkey farm in Western Massachusetts in late March. The department also reported 13 cases of avian influenza in wild bird populations in Barnstable and Middlesex counties in early March.
Elsewhere in New England, New Hampshire reported a backyard mixed-species outbreak and 54 reported cases among wild birds; Connecticut has reported one backyard farm outbreak and 32 cases among wild birds; Maine has reported 12 backyard farm outbreaks and eight cases in wild birds; and Vermont has reported just two cases in wild birds.
The avian flu currently poses a low risk to humans, although people who frequently interact with birds may have a higher risk of infection, the CDC reported.
Any unexpected deaths in flocks or other signs of the flu should be reported immediately to the Massachusetts Division of Animal Health at 617-626-1795 or through their online reporting form.
