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News Release 4-3-2002 |
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WVDA ANNOUNCES NO AVIAN INFLUENZA IN WEST VIRGINIA “We are very much aware of the situation in Virginia and have notified the Governor’s Office and the state Office of Emergency Services that the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) is on a high state of alert,” said Commissioner Douglass. “We have tested turkeys and broiler chickens at some West Virginia farms and all the tests came back negative. Apparently, the biosecurity procedures we implemented recently are having the desired effect,” he said. The WVDA last year developed standard operating procedures to help minimize the risk of biological threats, such as Foot and Mouth Disease. The WVDA’s field employees have undergone training in the protocols, and training sessions have also been conducted for WVU Extension Service personnel and other interested individuals. Commissioner Douglass added that the WVDA staff currently is exercising level three biosecurity protocols, the highest level in the state biosecurity plan. No WVDA personnel are allowed to enter poultry farms without express permission from Commissioner Douglass to prevent the possible introduction of the disease into West Virginia flocks. The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and WVU Extension Service have been notified of the alert and are exercising similar precautions. The WVDA is also monitoring trucks making deliveries to state poultry houses and has put a hold on all public poultry auctions. The poultry industry in West Virginia adds $200 million to the state’s economy and provides jobs for approximately 5,000 people.
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©2001, 2002 West Virginia Department of Agriculture, All Rights Reserved |
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