AUBURN, Ala. – The Alabama Dept. of Agriculture and Industries delivered a stop movement order for certain poultry in the state because of three ongoing investigations of avian influenza in north Alabama.
The third investigation began following routine surveillance as part of Alabama’s Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan. The USDA poultry technicians collected samples at the TaCo-Bet Trade Day flea market in Scottsboro in Jackson County on March 12.
Samples collected were suspect and are on the way to a US Dept. of Agriculture lab in Iowa for further inspection.
The other counties affected in Alabama include Lauderdale and Madison.
The flock in Lauderdale County is a commercial breeder operation; no significant mortality in the flock was reported. The other premise was a backyard flock in Madison County. Samples from both sites were sent to the Ames, Iowa-based National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) of the US Dept. of Agriculture.
Animal health officials in Alabama continued testing and monitoring for avian influenza after the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in a breeder flock in Lincoln County, Tennessee. Lincoln County borders Alabama, and some portions of Alabama are within a control zone established by the agency.
Officials said the outbreak is an animal health issue with serious implications for the state’s $15 billion poultry industry. However, there is no threat to the food supply.
