biosecurity

With cases of bird flu in cattle reported across the western U.S., as well as cases in pigs and humans here in the Northwest, health officials are watching the H5N1 strain very closely.  But, why is this strain so devastating for domestic birds?   ...

Over the weekend, two Spokane County horses died from the neuropathogenic strain of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) otherwise known as Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM).  This contagious, often fatal disease of horses has prompted the Washington State Department of Agriculture veterinarians to issue a warning for those who recently visited a local arena where other horses were present.   ..

On Friday, another case of HPAI was confirmed in Oregon.  This one, according to USDA, was found in a backyard flock of geese and chickens in Jackson County.  This marks the first time bird flu has been confirmed in Jackson County.   Samples fr...

After bird flu has been detected in dairy cattle across the country, including here in the Northwest, there have been talks about the USDA testing milk samples to determine if H5N1 is present.  How would testing those samples work?   “...

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has confirmed the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza this year in a commercial poultry operation.  The WSDA says a commercial farm in Franklin County reported high numbers of sudden deaths in chickens on Friday, October 11th.  In addi...

Idaho is one of 14 states reporting Highly Pathogenetic Avian Influence in dairy herds, and efforts continue to figure out how the virus is being spread.  Idaho state veterinarian doctor Scott Leibsle said H5N1 cases peaked in May and June.  He poin...

USDA's enhanced animal disease traceability rule, including visual and electronic identification tags for cattle and bison, is scheduled to go into effect early next month.  Some stakeholders have expressed privacy concerns, but Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack doesn’t think producers need to be worried.   “I don...

An outbreak of the H5N1 virus in dairy cattle across several states in recent months has served as a reminder for the importance of bio security within livestock and poultry operations.   “When we think about endemic diseases and foreign animal diseases, the bio security practices really protect against both,” noted Megan Neidenwerder with the Swine Health Information Center.  Her organizati... Re

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has emphasized the need for biosecurity in ag operations in light of H5N1 (bird flu).

In the thick of the fall wild bird migration, Washington state veterinarians confirmed the state’s 17th county, and 44th flock infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).