Bird Flu Hits Backyard Chickens in Dare County

Bird flu has made its way to a backyard flock of chickens in Dare County. This is a big deal because it's the first time it's happened in this area. The virus, known as H5N1, is highly contagious among birds but poses a low risk to humans. This means that while it can spread quickly among chickens and other birds, it's not likely to make people sick. The virus is also not a food safety concern, so there's no need to worry about infected birds entering the food supply. The virus is believed to be present in wild birds and migratory waterfowl. This means that it's likely to keep popping up in backyard flocks from time to time. The state veterinarian, Dr. Mike Martin, has encouraged both commercial and backyard flock owners to follow strict biosecurity measures. This includes keeping a close eye on their birds and reporting any sudden increase in deaths to their local veterinarian or the N. C. Department of Agriculture Veterinary Division. The phone number for the department is 919-707-3250. The infected flock of chickens in Dare County had to be euthanized to prevent the virus from spreading further. This is a tough decision, but it's necessary to protect other birds in the area. It's not the first time bird flu has been detected in North Carolina this year. In February, a great horned owl tested positive for the virus in Wake County. Multiple geese and one hawk were also found dead in the same area. This was the first case of bird flu detected in Wake County since 2023. In January, bird flu was found in two commercial turkey operations in Sampson County and a layer operation in Hyde County. These outbreaks are a reminder of how quickly the virus can spread among birds. It's important for bird owners to stay vigilant and take steps to protect their flocks. The bird flu outbreak has also had an impact on egg prices. As of late February, more than 166 million birds had been slaughtered nationwide to limit the virus' spread. Most of these were egg-laying chickens. This has led to a shortage of eggs, driving up prices. It's a tough situation for both bird owners and consumers. The bird flu outbreak is a reminder of the importance of biosecurity measures. These measures can help prevent the spread of the virus and protect both birds and humans. It's important for bird owners to stay informed and take steps to protect their flocks. By working together, we can help limit the spread of the virus and keep our birds healthy.