Press Releases
State veterinarian's office acts to protect backyard poultry flocks, commercial operations
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
For more information contact:
Angela Blank
(502) 573-0450
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky state veterinarian’s office is monitoring the avian influenza outbreak in poultry flocks in southern Indiana to protect Kentucky’s $1 billion poultry and egg industry.
“A poultry producer’s livelihood depends on the health of the producer’s flocks,” State Veterinarian Robert C. Stout said. “It is absolutely imperative to keep our flocks healthy in order to maintain consumer confidence and keep our international trading channels open. Our office is in constant contact with federal and state agencies, stakeholders, veterinary practitioners, and others to keep track of the situation in Indiana. We will do everything we can to prevent this outbreak from reaching Kentucky.”
Dr. Stout reinstated restrictions on bird movement and sales in Kentucky on Jan. 15 in response to the announcement that highly pathogenic H7N8 avian influenza had been discovered in turkeys in Dubois County, Indiana.
Further testing has turned up low-pathogenic H7N8 avian influenza in eight other commercial turkey operations. Other commercial poultry premises in the area have tested negative for the virus. Authorities have established a 10-kilometer control area from the original infected premises.
Dr. Stout encouraged poultry producers and all other bird owners to take biosecurity measures to prevent their birds from being infected with avian influenza or other bird diseases:
Keep your distance – Isolate your birds from visitors and other birds.
- Keep it clean – Prevent germs from spreading by cleaning shoes, tools and equipment.
- Don’t haul disease home – Clean vehicles and cages.
- Don’t borrow from your neighbor – Avoid sharing tools and equipment with neighbors.
- Know the signs – Watch for early signs to prevent the spread of disease.
- Report sick birds – Report unusual signs of disease or unexpected deaths to the Office of the Kentucky State Veterinarian at (502) 573-0282, option 3, or through USDA’s toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.
Kentucky’s poultry industry generated an estimated $1.28 billion in farm cash receipts in 2014, the Kentucky office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service reported. Kentucky farmers produced 308 million broilers in 2014.
Kentucky entry requirements are listed on the OSV website at http://www.kyagr.com/statevet/import-poultry-ratites.html. For more biosecurity tips and other information about avian influenza, go to http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov/.
