Because highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continues to present a threat to birds across Colorado, the Colorado State Veterinarian’s office has issued updated guidance for poultry events, such as swaps, meets and competitions. The guidance asks poultry owners to increase safety precautions and biosecurity practices, monitor their flocks for illness and report any sick or dead birds to the state veterinarian’s office.
“The most important thing poultry owners can do right now to protect their birds from avian influenza is ... improve their safety and biosecurity by keeping their flock away from wild birds, separating and monitoring any new birds for at least 14 days, and reporting any abnormal sickness or death events to our office,” said Colorado State Veterinarian Dr. Maggie Baldwin. “While we are leaving the decision to postpone or cancel any scheduled poultry events to the organizers, we are strongly recommending event organizers implement extra precautionary measures before, during, and after their event.”