A highly contagious virus confirmed in wild birds in northeast Colorado has prompted the Colorado Department of Agriculture to issue an emergency rule suspending poultry sales and shows in an effort to protect commercial and domestic flocks.
The rule, issued March 30, also suspends poultry meets and swaps for 90 days, and could be extended.
The highly pathogenic avian influenza Eurasian H5 strain was found in geese in Sedgwick County. It is a concern because it is easily passed to other birds and is usually fatal for domestic poultry.
“Commingling of birds presents a high risk of disease introduction and transmission. Temporarily suspending all poultry events in our state will help minimize the possibility of HPAI affecting backyard and commercial poultry,” said Colorado State Veterinarian Dr. Maggie Baldwin. “Colorado poultry owners should immediately increase their biosecurity protocols to protect their flocks, including limiting exposure of domestic birds to wild birds and other poultry flocks and limiting introduction of new birds into flocks.”
No Colorado cases of HPAI in commercial or backyard poultry flocks were reported as of Thursday.
Human infections with HPAI H5 bird flu are rare but can occur, usually after close contact with infected birds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC considers the health risk to the general public from the recent Eurasian H5 wild bird flu infections to be low at this time.
The rule does not affect store-bought chicken or farmers market eggs, said Olga Robak, communication director for the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
The rule was intended to prevent swaps, sales events and competitions where chickens from different areas are brought into one location.
Montezuma and La Plata county CSU Extension departments said 4-H poultry shows and competitions will be on hold during the order.
Be conscious about keeping wild birds away from chicken flocks and coops, said Andrea Jeter, Montezuma County 4-H program director.
“Also don’t take your chickens to areas with other chickens who may have been exposed. Keep them at home,” she said.
Free-range chickens are more exposed to wild birds and should be kept inside during the 90-day order, Jeter said.
“Keep bird feeders away from chicken coops, make sure wild birds don’t have access to chicken feed to prevent commingling with your flocks,” she said. “Practice good biosecurity measures. HPAI is more highly contagious to poultry than other bird flus and is usually fatal. That is why this emergency order from the state was issued.”
For example, producers should wear shoes specifically for working in the chicken coop. If they walk through a park where geese are or visit a neighbor’s farm, then feed their chickens in the same shoes, the exposed shoes could transmit the disease.
Bringing new birds into a flock also is discouraged.
The goal is that preventive measures decrease the flu’s threat before the Montezuma County Fair in July, Jeters said. Otherwise, poultry events could be canceled.
For information on biosecurity measures to protect your poultry, contact Jeter at (970) 564-4171, or email at ajeter@co.montezuma.co.us.
Backyard and hobby chicken producers should closely monitor their flocks for illness or death.
Growers with birds that are sick or have died from unknown causes may call for help at the Colorado Avian Health Call Line at CSU, (970) 297-4008.
The Colorado Veterinarian’s Office will hold an informational webinar from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, from to provide more information about highly pathogenic avian influenza and what flock owners should do to protect their birds. Register at bit.ly/hpaiwebinar.
On March 17, Colorado Parks and Wildlife recovered several sick and dead snow and Ross’s geese at Jumbo Reservoir in Sedgwick County. The birds were examined at the CPW Wildlife Health Section laboratory, and samples were submitted to Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories. The samples tested positive for HPAI and were confirmed by the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory on March 24. It was the first confirmed case of HPAI in wild birds in Colorado this year.
In 2022, bird flu has been detected in wild bird species in 29 states, and has been detected in backyard and commercial premises, affecting more than 15 million poultry and birds in the U.S. The USDA tracks all HPAI cases on its website.
The emergency rule was approved by the nine-member Agricultural Commission and signed by Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg.
Bird owners who seek resources such as biosecurity plans, signage and webinars may visit the Defend the Flock website from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service or visit PoultryBiosecurity.org.
Veterinarians and producers must report any suspicious disease event in poultry flocks to the State Veterinarian’s office at 303-869-9130. After hours, the voicemail message will indicate which veterinarian is on call.
Producers with sick birds or dead birds may call the Colorado Avian Health Call Line at CSU, 970-297-4008.
Anyone who finds three or more dead wild birds in a specific area within a two-week period or sees live birds with signs of disease are encouraged to call the regional Colorado Parks and Wildlife office in Durango at (970) 247-0855.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
