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Prevent Avian Influenza in MS

Prevent Avian Influenza in MS

Due to outbreak of Avian Influenza (AI) in Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia there is a need for increased biosecurity for poultry producers. The outbreak started March 4, 2017 with detection of AI in commercial poultry in the Chattooga, TN area. Since that time Alabama has had five positive flocks (three commercial and two backyard). Tennessee has had two highly pathogenic AI (HPAI) commercial flocks and one low pathogenic AI (LPAI) commercial flock. KY has one commercial and one backyard flock, and Georgia has had one commercial flock positive for LPAI.

Currently, avian influenza (AI) is not a threat to human health or food safety in Mississippi, but wild birds (especially migrating waterfowl) pose a risk to backyard flocks and the state’s nearly $3 billion commercial poultry industry.

• Biosecurity is the key to preventing the spread of the disease.

• Wash hands before entering and when leaving chicken areas.

• Wear dedicated footwear or plastic boots when working with chickens.

• Change clothes before caring for chickens after trips to any location where other poultry workers could have been.

• Don’t mix new birds with existing flocks without quarantining them for 30 days.

• Purchase new birds only from known NPIP-certified healthy flocks instead of locations where different bird species of unknown origins are comingled together, increasing the disease risk.

Mississippi Hay Directory

The Mississippi Hay Directory is designed to assist livestock producers in locating hay supplies.