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News Release 5-9-2002 |
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AVIAN INFLUENZA DETECTED AT MOOREFIELD FARM “Tests conducted by the Virginia Department of Agriculture
and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have confirmed the
presence of AI in two breeder houses on one farm in the Moorefield
area,” said Commissioner Douglass. “I am declaring an
agricultural state of emergency, and have directed my staff to immediately
begin making preparations for the depopulation and disposal of the
affected birds.” Approximately 13,900 birds are contained in
the two houses. Area poultry integrators - companies that buy and process birds
from contract growers - have been taking periodic blood samples
since an AI outbreak began in Virginia a few weeks ago. The Virginia
outbreak has resulted in the quarantine of 140 farms and the depopulation
of more than 3 million birds. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) has been on
a high state of alert during the situation in Virginia. All WVDA
employees working with poultry are required to exercise the highest
level of biosecurity protocols, which include minimizing contact
with flocks whenever possible; wearing disposable boots, gloves
and coveralls when in contact with poultry; and decontaminating
vehicles when they leave a farm. Commissioner Douglass helped spearhead the nationwide development
of such protocols as chairman of USDA’s Foreign Animal Disease
Committee, which was convened earlier to prevent the introduction
of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) into America during the outbreak
in Great Britain. The poultry industry is the Mountain State’s leading agricultural commodity, adding $200 million annually to the state’s economy and employing more than 5,000 people.
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©2001, 2002 West Virginia Department of Agriculture, All Rights Reserved |
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