Highly Pathogenic Strain Of Avian Flu Hits The United States

Apr 21, 2015

Two strains of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been identified in the U.S., with a number of cases being reported in the Pacific Northwest and the northern Midwest regions of the country.

While it’s important to note that there are no cases reported in the northeastern part of the country, an outbreak could have a severe impact on New Hampshire’s poultry industry, and UNH Cooperative Extension field specialists are encouraging flock owners to be on the lookout for signs of the disease.

In the meantime, following good biosecurity practices will prevent the spread of disease and result in better flock health. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a fact sheet with some effective, common-sense recommendations.

Signs of avian influenza include respiratory symptoms (e.g. coughing, wheezing), loss of appetite, unexplained drops in egg production, swollen combs, red, runny eyes, and sudden death. Flock owners are urged to report any unusual or unexpected illness or death to the New Hampshire State Veterinarian’s office at (603) 271-2404.

Source:unh.edu

Video: Heat Stress Killing Profits? - Dr. Jeff Hansen

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jeff Hansen from Elanco shares practical strategies to reduce heat stress in grow-finish pigs. He discusses how rising temperatures affect feed intake, growth, and carcass quality, and explains how nutritional tools, such as Skycis, and environmental adjustments can help maintain performance during high-stress periods.

Listen now on all major platforms! "Technologies that reduce heat or metabolic stress in pigs deliver the greatest value during summer, when growth is challenged and profit potential is highest.

" Meet the guest: Dr. Jeffrey Hansen / jeff-hansen-00b72322 is a Swine Technical Consultant at Elanco Animal Health. He holds a Ph.D. in Swine Nutrition from Kansas State University, along with degrees in Animal Science and Nutrition from Texas A&M University. With a passion for pork fat quality, feed management, and production efficiency, Dr. Hansen brings decades of swine nutrition and technical expertise to the industry.