Biosecurity sign
Updated: April 15, 2025
By Ashley Newhall
If you need Biosecurity Signs, reach out to a team member or email Sheila Oscar at soscar@umd.edu

 

Delmarva Poultry Growers' HPAI Situational Update - Recording and Transcript

Recording Summary - January 17, 2025

Officials from Delaware and Maryland discussed the ongoing avian influenza outbreak on the Delmarva Peninsula, addressing its impact on commercial poultry farms and the measures being taken to contain its spread. The meeting covered various aspects of managing the outbreak, including biosecurity protocols, litter management, testing procedures, and financial implications for affected farmers. Participants also explored strategies to deter wild birds from farms and prepared for USDA audits, emphasizing the critical importance of maintaining strict biosecurity measures to prevent further transmission of the virus.

Recording Click Here                      Transcript Click Here

 

Dr. Tablante's pdf slides:  Avian Influenza: What You Need to Know, Not Fear    The recording

'Protecting Your Flocks' Health' in Different Languages:

ENGLISH        KOREAN         SPANISH        VIETNAMESE

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed two additional findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds – one in Colleton County, South Carolina, and one in Hyde County, North Carolina. These finds follow confirmation on January 14, 2022, of HPAI in a wild bird in Colleton County, South Carolina. All three findings are H5N1 HPAI.

This is a confirmation that there is potentially more HPAI out there in wild birds and we all should do the following to prevent it from jumping into commercial or backyard poultry populations.

1- Anyone involved with poultry – commercial or backyard flocks alike – should review their biosecurity plan and enhance their biosecurity practices to assure the health of their birds. APHIS has materials about biosecurity, including videos, checklists, and a toolkit available for producers on APHIS here

2- In addition to practicing good biosecurity, all bird owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through their state veterinarian or through USDA’s toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593. Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov.

3- To report sick or suddenly dead birds to the Maryland department of agriculture,  Animal Health call 410-841-5810. and full contact information can be found here

4-  People should minimize direct contact with wild birds by using gloves as wild birds can be infected with these viruses without appearing sick. If contact occurs, wash your hands with soap and water, and change clothing before having any contact with healthy domestic poultry and birds. 

5- Hunters should dress game birds in the field whenever possible and practice good biosecurity to prevent any potential disease spread. Biosecurity information is available here

The full press release can be found here 

Mostafa Ghanem   Assistant Professor Department of Veterinary Medicine Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine 

8075 Greenmead Dr, College Park, MD 20740

Email: mghanem@umd.edu 

Tel: 301-314-1191   Fax: 301-314-6855

https://agnr.umd.edu/about/directory/mostafa-ghanem

 

Biosecurity for Allied Businesses/Government Employees

Back to Commercial Production  Join Our Commercial Poultry Mailing List