New Bird Flu Case Reported In Anne Arundel County Flock
Maryland Reports New Bird Flu Case in Anne Arundel County Backyard Flock
The Maryland Department of Agriculture has confirmed a new case of bird flu in a backyard flock in Anne Arundel County.
To contain the outbreak, state agriculture authorities have placed the affected areas under quarantine and are depopulating the infected birds. These birds will not enter the food supply, according to officials.
Backyard poultry owners in Maryland are required to register their flocks with the Maryland Department of Agriculture. This measure is designed to help safeguard the state’s poultry industry from diseases such as avian influenza.
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How Bird Flu Spreads
The Maryland Department of Agriculture explains that bird flu typically spreads through the waste of wild birds during migration. When this contaminated waste comes into contact with domestic farm animals, it can lead to infection.
Dr. Jennifer Trout, the state’s veterinarian with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, noted, “The weakest link for us is wildlife. We can’t implement biosecurity measures along migratory flyways, so farms are doing their best to protect their flocks.”
Bird flu poses a serious threat to poultry, and experts attribute it to the ongoing egg shortage and rising prices.
Maryland’s first bird flu case this year was reported on January 10, following a routine sample taken at a Caroline County farm. This case marked the third confirmed instance of bird flu at a commercial operation in the Delmarva region, according to the Department of Agriculture.
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