Farmers and residents with bird populations need to be aware of a highly pathogenic virus affecting poultry.

Steve Alessi, client relationship manager for Penn State, spoke to the Carbon County Commissioners Thursday about avian influenza, which is currently ramping up across the country.

The first case of avian influenza found in commercial poultry in Pennsylvania occurred on April 18. The last time it was found in Pennsylvania was during the 1983-1984 outbreak.

Alessi said that avian influenza is a “highly pathogenic, highly transferable disease” that could wipe out a commercial poultry flock or backyard poultry flock very quickly.”

According to Penn State Extension, “Avian influenza has the potential to be a catastrophic disease in poultry, especially in turkeys and mature chickens. Sometimes the death is so sudden that there are not many, if any, signs of the disease in most of the animals. Mortalities close to 100% of the flock may occur with these infections.”

“It’s very, very dangerous for the poultry industry in Pennsylvania, but also for backyard poultry homeowners as well,” Alessi said.

“All poultry owners, whether you have one bird or 1 million birds, should be on high alert,” Penn State Extension says.

There are warning signs farmers and those with poultry should watch out for in their flocks. They include:

• Sudden increase in mortality (may see mortality without any other clinical signs)

• Decreased feed and/or water consumption

• Decreased energy (lethargy)

• Decreased egg production

• Soft-shelled, thin-shelled, or misshapen eggs

• Swelling or purple discoloration of the head, eyelids, or legs (shanks and/or feet)

• Difficulty breathing

• Coughing, sneezing, and/or nasal discharge

• Incoordination, stumbling

• Abnormal position and/or twisting of the head and neck

• Diarrhea

“If a resident sees any of these warning signs, a flock could be in danger,” Alessi said.

The first thing a person witnessing a warning sign in poultry should immediately call either the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at 717-772-2852 or the USDA at 1-866-536-7593.

Penn State Extension also has a influenza page set up for farmers and poultry owners to get more information, as well as stay up-to-date on announcements regarding the virus. The webpage is https://extension.psu.edu/avian-influenza.

“It’s a very important topic right now,” Alessi said.

Because of this, Kayla Fusselman, Carbon County 4-H extension educator, explained that Penn State Extension currently has a quarantine for showing poultry at county fairs through June 15, but that end date may change as the weeks go on.

As of right now, Carbon County Fair isn’t affected by the quarantine, but Fusselman said that may change so 4-H Clubs are watching this carefully.

If the quarantine is extended, then it would mean 4-H’ers who raise poultry would not be able to show the birds at the fair.

“Our leaders have already started talking about alternate ways to ensure that the kids can complete their projects,” Fusselman said. “… We’re hoping that the quarantine will be lifted before our fair in August.” She noted this would affect the 4-H livestock auction if poultry was not able to be shown.