South Carolina bans the importation of some poultry due to avian flu
South Carolina’s state veterinarian temporarily prohibits the importation of backyard poultry, waterfowl, and ratites (such as ostrich and emu) from […]
South Carolina’s state veterinarian temporarily prohibits the importation of backyard poultry, waterfowl, and ratites (such as ostrich and emu) from areas with confirmed infections of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI for sales, shows, and exhibitions.
Interstate importation of the above birds from counties free of HPAI infections may continue following normal state regulations.
Michael Neault, who directs the Clemson University Livestock Poultry Health (LPH) regulatory agency, said the temporary measure responds to the expanding outbreak of HPAI, which has now reached 26 U.S. states.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) maintains a current database showing the locations of HPAI outbreaks here.
Currently, there are 181 counties in the United States where confirmations of avian flu in commercial and backyard flocks are reported.
“In addition, we strongly recommend that all producers review the specific restrictions that markets, shows, and exhibitions may implement in addition to or in tandem with these state restrictions before bringing birds,” Neault said.
The State Veterinarian’s Office will continue to monitor the HPAI outbreak and issue a statement when the prohibition of movement has been lifted.
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Although South Carolina and Georgia have reported no infected poultry flocks, North Carolina’s Johnston and Wayne counties, southeast of Raleigh, discovered the disease in multiple flocks at the end of March and the beginning of April. Nearly 400,000 chickens and turkeys were affected.
A wild duck harvested in January by a hunter in Colleton County, South Carolina, as part of a surveillance program was the first wild bird detected with the Eurasian H5 type of HPAI since 2016 (Click here to read more).
The bird
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