Commercial turkey flock tests positive for High Path Avian Influenza

PRESS RELEASE (01-29-2025)
N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

RALEIGH – A commercial turkey operation in Sampson County has tested positive for High Path Avian Influenza. The positive sample was first identified by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Raleigh and confirmed by the USDA APHIS National Veterinary Services Lab in Ames, Iowa.

This is the second case of high path avian influenza in commercial poultry in North Carolina this year. The first case was in a commercial layer operation in Hyde County. Prior to this case, North Carolina has had 12 affected commercial flocks and eight backyard flocks.

“Since 2022, HPAI has impacted more than 141 million birds across all 50 states,” said State Veterinarian Mike Martin. “With HPAI being pervasive in some wild bird populations and the recent cases around the country, all flock owners, commercial and backyard, should remain vigilant with their biosecurity. If your birds are sick or dying, report it right away to your local veterinarian, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Division, 919-707-3250, or the N.C. Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System 919-733-3986.”

More information on HPAI in general and a listing of all N.C. cases since 2022 is online at https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/veterinary/AvianInfluenza.

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North Carolina Tomato Growers Association plans referendum in August 2023

PRESS RELEASE (07-21-2023) 

 SENT ON BEHALF OF THE N.C. TOMATO GROWERS ASSOCIATION

RALEIGH – The N.C. Tomato Growers Association will conduct an August referendum on continuing the $20 per acre assessment on harvested commercial tomatoes. Funds generated by the assessment would support research, education and programs to promote Tar Heel tomatoes.

The proposed assessment term is six years, beginning with the 2023 crop. All North Carolina farmers engaged in the production of tomatoes on a commercial basis, including owners of farms where tomatoes are produced, tenants and sharecroppers, are eligible to vote.

Ballots will be mailed to growers on August 21, 2023. Those who have not received ballots by August 29, 2023 will have 10 days to apply for an official ballot from the association by contacting Ellen Moss, Executive Secretary, N.C. Tomato Growers Association, 2491 St. Paul’s Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792, (828) 685-3989, Ellen_moss@yahoo.com.

Growers should indicate their preference about the referendum and return their ballot by mail. All ballots should be postmarked by 5 p.m. on September 26, 2023 and mailed to: Ellen Moss, Executive Secretary, N.C. Tomato Growers Association, 2491 St. Paul’s Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792.

If approved, NCDandCS will continue to collect the assessment funds and turn them over to the N.C. Tomato Growers Association, whose board of directors would then administer the funds.

The proposed assessment referendum must pass by a two-thirds majority. The August referendum is effective statewide.

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N.C. Forest Service celebrates Arbor Day and the importance of the tree-planting holiday

PRESS RELEASE (03-15-2023)

NC DEPT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

  

RALEIGH – Arbor Day is observed annually as a time to celebrate the importance of trees and the many benefits we receive from them.

Once deemed “the treeless plain,” Nebraska was home to the first Arbor Day celebration in 1872 with the planting of more than a million trees. The national observance of Arbor Day takes place the last Friday in April each year, while North Carolina observes Arbor Day the first Friday following March 15, so March 17 this year.

“The stakes are getting higher with challenges like land conversion continuing to take place,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Trees are a solution. Planting trees contributes to cleaner air and water and is one way we can all be part of the sustainable management and preservation of North Carolina’s forests for future generations.”

Planting trees and responsible urban forest management at the local level including community involvement and participation in urban forestry recognition programs are critical to sustaining healthy forest resources in North Carolina.

North Carolina is fortunate to have a variety of state forestry programs that protect forest resources by supporting landowners and communities with tree planting, site preparation and forest improvement. These include cost share programs such as the Forest Development Program and the Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program, both managed by the N.C. Forest Service. The NCFS Urban and Community Forestry Program also oversees the application and award process for Tree City USA, Tree Campus Higher Education and Tree Line USA.

“Community involvement is at the core of urban forestry,” said David Lane, state forester. “N.C. Forest Service staff are positioned to help landowners with managing their woods. Tree inventories and canopy cover assessments are a critical need for our state, and our staff can help communities accomplish those practices. Get started by contacting your NCFS county ranger’s office.”

Find your county ranger’s contact information at www.ncforestservice.gov/contacts. Learn more about the N.C. Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program at www.ncforestservice.gov/Urban/Urban_Forestry.htm.

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Rowan County has a positive case of HPAI

Photo by JJ Harrison and licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

This most recent outbreak of the avian flu is the reason why the price of eggs has gotten so expensive. This press release from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services serves as an opportunity to inform the public and dispel disinformation and politically motivated propaganda that is being spread online.

Here are some links to help you understand what is happening. The press release is posted below that.

As egg prices soar, the deadliest bird flu outbreak in US history drags on [ARS TECHNICA]

Why are US egg prices so high? [QUARTZ]

Get used to expensive eggs [The Atlantic]

‘Incredibly concerning’: Bird flu outbreak at Spanish mink farm triggers pandemic fears [Science: American Association for the Advancement of Science]

High Path Avian Influenza [NCDA&CS]

PRESS RELEASE (01-26-2023)

NC DEPT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES 

RALEIGH –Rowan County has an emu that tested positive for High Path Avian Influenza (HPAI). The positive sample was identified by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Raleigh.

This is the first confirmed positive in Rowan County. In late spring and early summer, HPAI was found at nine poultry farms in Johnston and Wayne counties, and recently HPAI was found in a single backyard flock in Wake County, a single backyard flock in Durham County, a single backyard flock in Carteret County and two flocks in Union County.

“We have had evidence that the HPAI virus has remained in our resident wild bird populations and in migratory waterfowl, so continued reports of positive domesticated birds are unfortunate, but not surprising,” said State Veterinarian Mike Martin.  

 This type of HPAI virus is considered a low risk to people according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, but is highly contagious to other birds, including commercial and backyard flocks of poultry. The virus is also not considered a food safety threat and infected birds do not enter the food supply.

           “The threat of high path avian influenza is nationwide and likely will remain through the winter and spring,” Martin said. “Commercial operations and backyard flock owners should continue to follow strict biosecurity measures including keeping birds enclosed without access to wild birds or other domestic flocks when possible.”

If your birds are sick or dying, report it right away to your local veterinarian, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Division at 919-707-3250, or the N.C. Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System at 919-733-3986.

           Warning signs of HPAI include:

• Reduced energy, decreased appetite, and/or decreased activity
• Lower egg production and/or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs
• Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb and wattles
• Purple discoloration of the wattles, comb and legs
• Difficulty breathing, runny nares (nose), and/or sneezing
• Twisting of the head and neck, stumbling, falling down, tremors and/or circling
• Greenish diarrhea
• 
  

           More information on biosecurity and the signs of HPAI can be found at www.ncagr.gov/avianflu. If you have questions about migratory birds, hunting or wild waterfowl found dead on your property, visit the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s website at www.ncwildlife.org.  

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Poultry shows and public sales suspended until further notice due to High Path Avian Influenza

 PRESS RELEASE (04-05-2022)

NC DEPT OF AGRICULTURE and CONSUMER SERVICES

Poultry shows and public sales suspended until further noticed due to High Path Avian Influenza
Poultry owners urged to keep birds indoors and report sick birds

RALEIGH – State Veterinarian Mike Martin announced today that all North Carolina poultry shows, and public sales will be suspended due to the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza. This includes all exhibitions, farm tours, shows, sales, flea markets, auction markets, swaps and meets pertaining to poultry and feathered fowl in North Carolina. These activities are suspended until further notice.  

“This suspension is due to the continued spread of HPAI that has affected commercial and backyard flocks in numerous states, including North Carolina,” said Martin. “We do not make this decision lightly. HPAI is a serious threat to our poultry industry and this is a precaution to help limit the introduction of the virus to backyard and commercial flocks.”

North Carolina joins several other states, including Georgia, that have also cancelled or altered poultry events due to HPAI. Poultry owners across the state need to practice strict biosecurity. This includes keeping flocks indoors without access to outside and reporting sick birds to your local veterinarian, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Division, 919-707-3250, or the N.C. Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System 919-733-3986.

The warning signs of HPAI include:

• Reduced energy, decreased appetite, and/or decreased activity
• Lower egg production and/or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs
• Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb and wattles
• Purple discoloration of the wattles, comb and legs
• Difficulty breathing, runny nares (nose), and/or sneezing
• Twisting of the head and neck, stumbling, falling down, tremors and/or circling
• Greenish diarrhea

Since March 29, HPAI has been detected at seven commercial poultry facilities in Johnston and Wayne counties. More than 90,000 turkeys and more than 280,000 broilers have been depopulated and composted on-site to prevent further spread of the virus. Additional updates to the current HPAI outbreak will be posted to www.ncagr.gov/avianflu/newsroom.htm.

This type of HPAI virus is considered a low risk to people according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. There are no cases to date of this strain of HPAI infecting a person. The virus is also not considered a food safety threat and infected birds do not enter the food supply. All properly cooked poultry products are safe to consume.  

More information about High Path Avian Influenza is online at www.ncagr.gov/avianflu.

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Commercial turkey flock tests positive for High Path Avian Influenza

PRESS RELEASE (03-30-2022)

NC DEPT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

RALEIGH – A commercial turkey operation in Johnston County has tested positive for High Path Avian Influenza. The positive sample was first identified by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Raleigh and confirmed by the USDA APHIS National Veterinary Services Lab in Ames, Iowa.

Since late January, the HPAI virus has been found in 48 commercial farms in 12 states and 32 backyard flocks in 13 states. This is the first case of high path avian influenza in domestic poultry in North Carolina.

 Since Jan. 16, more than 100 hunter-harvested wild birds have tested positive for HPAI in North Carolina and the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission has reported four mortalities in wild birds from the virus.  

“With HPAI in the wild bird population and other cases around the country, commercial operators and backyard flock owners have been on heightened watch for any signs of the virus in their flocks,” said State Veterinarian Mike Martin. “The industry responded quickly to the positive result, depopulating the affected flock of 32,100 and starting the composting process of the birds onsite to guard against additional spread. Under HPAI protocols, we will be actively testing other flocks within the 10 kilometer zone or about 6.2 miles in collaboration with our federal and industry partners.”

 The 10 kilometer zone includes Johnston County and portions of Sampson and Wayne counties.  

This type of HPAI virus is considered a low risk to people according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, but is highly contagious to other birds, including commercial and backyard flocks of poultry. The virus is also not considered a food safety threat and infected birds do not enter the food supply.

            “The threat of high path avian influenza is statewide,” said Martin. “Our poultry population is at high risk. Commercial operations and backyard flock owners should continue to follow strict biosecurity measures including keeping birds enclosed without access to wild birds or other domestic flocks. If your birds are sick or dying, report it right away to your local veterinarian, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Division, 919-707-3250, or the N.C. Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System 919-733-3986.” 

            The warning signs of HPAI include:

• Reduced energy, decreased appetite, and/or decreased activity
• Lower egg production and/or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs
• Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb and wattles
• Purple discoloration of the wattles, comb and legs
• Difficulty breathing, runny nares (nose), and/or sneezing
• Twisting of the head and neck, stumbling, falling down, tremors and/or circling
• Greenish diarrhea

            If you have questions about migratory birds, hunting, or wild waterfowl found dead on your property, visit the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s website at www.ncwildlife.org.  

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