A flock of 20 domestic birds has tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza, according to state officials, raising concerns about the continued presence of the disease in the state.
The test confirmed the virus in a dead bird from the non-poultry flock in Windsor County last week, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets said in a press release. The first bird died Jan. 15, with others dying after. The owner then contacted the agency and put the rest of the flock in isolation to prevent the disease from spreading, the release stated.
This comes after another group of birds was infected with avian flu in Franklin County in December and marks the fifth time the disease has been found in a domestic flock in the state since spring 2022. The agriculture agency has received no reports of illness in other Vermont flocks.
READ MORE
Health officials consider the virus’ risk to humans to be low, but avian flu is generally fatal for domestic poultry like chickens and turkeys. The test also confirmed that this case is not due to the strain affecting dairy cattle herds in other states, according to the release.
The agency advised against touching wild birds, even if they appear healthy, to prevent potential disease transmission. Officials also emphasized the importance of consuming pasteurized milk and to get the seasonal flu vaccine to reduce the transmission of the illness.
A representative from the agriculture agency was not immediately available for comment.Â
Read the story on VTDigger here: Windsor County flock tests positive for bird flu, the 2nd case in 2 months.