#Maine - Animal Health Officials Remind Owners to Protect Flocks from #HPAI

December 3, 2025 — "Maine Animal Health officials with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry are reminding commercial and backyard bird owners to take precautions to protect their flocks following the confirmation of Highly Pathogenic #AvianInfluenza (HPAI – #H5 strain) in one a non-commercial backyard flock in #PenobscotCounty, Maine.

"HPAI is a highly contagious avian influenza virus that spreads easily between birds through direct contact with infected birds, contaminated surfaces or equipment, and exposure to secretions from wild birds. The virus can also be carried on clothing, footwear, and tools used in bird care.

"While Maine’s commercial poultry operations remain unaffected, continued vigilance is essential to prevent further transmission to domestic birds.
Practical Measures to Protect Your Flock

"DACF recommends the following steps to reduce the risk of exposure:

- Prevent contact between domestic and wild birds by keeping birds indoors or ensuring outdoor enclosures are fully covered and secure.

- Practice strict biosecurity, including washing hands before and after handling birds, changing clothing and footwear between flocks, and limiting access to bird areas.

- Disinfect boots and gear when moving between coops or bird areas.

- Avoid sharing equipment or supplies between farms or flocks.

- Clean and disinfect tools and equipment between uses.

- Use well or municipal water for drinking water.

- Secure poultry feed to prevent access by wild birds and rodents.

- Limit unnecessary visits to other farms or locations with birds.

- Monitor flock health regularly and become familiar with HPAI warning signs.

Learn More and Report Concerns

For current Maine HPAI updates, FAQs, and prevention resources, visit:
maine.gov/dacf/hpai

To report sick poultry or unusual domestic bird deaths, call USDA's toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.

To report a dead or unusual-acting wild bird, contact the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife: 207-287-8000 (business hours), 800-452-4664 (after hours, evenings, and weekends)."

FMI:
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ahw/animal_health/hpai/

#HPAINews #BirdFlu #AvianInfluenza #H1N5 #BirdFluNews #BirdFluIsntOver #AnimalHealth #BackyardFlocks

#BirdFlu surges among poultry amid a scaled back federal response

By Will Stone, November 6, 2025

"As birds fly south for the winter, they're carrying with them some unwelcome cargo: the H5N1 virus, or bird flu.

"In the past 30 days, the virus has struck 66 poultry flocks, leading to the deaths of more than 3.5 million turkeys, chickens and ducks, a steep increase compared to the summer months. The virus can spread easily when infected wild birds mix with commercial or #BackyardFlocks.

"At the moment, states in the middle of the country are hardest hit. But scientists expect more outbreaks in other parts of the country, given bird migratory patterns.

"If not taken seriously, the fallout could lead to more than high egg prices. Influenza researchers fear a replay of last year when, for the first time, the U.S. saw close to 70 human cases, including one death.

" 'Absolutely we're going to see human infections, just like we did a year ago,' says Seema Lakdawala, a virologist at Emory University who studies bird flu. 'Nothing has changed substantially to suggest otherwise.'

"And though no human cases have been reported since early this year, scientists involved in tracking the virus say they don't have good visibility into what's happening in animals or humans. That's because the federal government has scaled back on surveillance and communication.

" 'We're not in a great position for monitoring things,' says Wendy Puryear, a virologist at Tufts University. 'I've been deep in the weeds since it arrived here in the U.S., and I'm finding myself in a very uncomfortable place.'

Read more:
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/11/06/nx-s1-5600125/bird-flu-risk-outbreak-trump-administration?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

#HPAINews #BirdFluNews #AvianInfluenza #H1N1 #H1N5 #CDCCuts #BirdFluIsntOver #Pandemic #TrumpSucks #HPAI