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(REPUBLICAN FILE)
WENDELL - A federal government advisory on an extremely infectious and deadly form of flu in birds has prompted the cancellation of the annual Diemand Farm Egg Hunt. The disease, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5, has made a small number of domestic birds ill elsewhere in the country, presumably from the migratory habits of wild birds who can be unaffected carriers. Its tracking has also been enhanced by increased surveillance of the virus.
Avian influenza viruses can infect chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese and guinea fowl, as well as a wide variety of other birds, according to the government. The government has warned that "people whose clothing or shoes have come in contact with the virus" can also spread the virus to U.S. poultry.
The popular free egg hunt at Diemand has been held for 10 years and last year attracted some 700 people, according to organizers, who hope to hold something later in the year. Customers are still welcome at the farm at 126 Mormon Hollow Road.
"Diemand Farm is very sad to announce that our Easter Egg Hunt and activities that had been scheduled for March 28th are being canceled," Anne Diemand said in a release.
"It has been highly recommended by the Department of Agriculture that we minimize any contact our animals have with the general public. While our farmstore is far enough away from our animals to allow you to visit us there, the amount of exposure from the Easter Egg Hunt could be devastating to our farm."
She added customers are still welcome "even if we cannot allow anyone to see our baby chicks at this time." For further questions, she can be reached at (978) 544-3806 or diemandfarmstore@gmail.com.
"We are concerned with the easy travel that everyone has now and that so many people have wild bird feeders that our farm animals could become unknowingly infected and we need to protect them to the best of our ability," Diemand's release said.
No human H5 infections have been reported to date in the United States, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued public health guidance for testing and treatment. In December, the United States Department of Agriculture first detected HPAI H5 avian viruses in wild birds in Washington state. A new strain of the virus, H5N1, was detected in wild duck in January. Between these two months, some 14 domestic, wild and wild birds in captivity were detected with avian influenza A. As a general precaution, the CDC recommends the public avoid contact with wild birds.
According to a March 19 alert, sent to veterinarians, producers, hobbyists and all other bird owners, from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources: "The current situation is believed to have resulted from bird to bird contact in the winter feeding areas of wild migratory birds and the subsequent seasonal movement of these birds along their normal migratory pathways. These normal migratory patterns could result in the introduction of HPAI on the East Coast, whether now or later. "
The advisory recommends "strict biosecurity practices to minimize contact between domestic poultry including waterfowl and wild birds and wild waterfowl." Signs of illness include respiratory disease, decreased egg production and swollen or discolored wattles or combs. Flock owners in affected states have reported "sudden dramatic mortality increases in their flocks with no other apparent signs." In Massachusetts, owners here are advised to call (617) 626-1795
Confirmed cases of the flu have been in the Central and Western area of the United States. These include in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas. There are four migratory bird routes in the United States.