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Caroline health officials update Caroline Commissioners on avian flu outbreak

Three state agencies caution Marylanders about HPAI

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DENTON – Caroline County’s health officer updated the three Caroline County Commissioners on the “avian influenza situation” at the first commission meeting of the year Jan. 14, 2025.

Caroline County Health Officer Robin Cahall’s report on the “highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI)” included concern for the economic and mental health of farmers who lose their flocks.

According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, HPAI is an “airborne respiratory virus that spreads quickly among birds.”

The outbreak occurred at a broiler farm near Ridgely “along the stretch of the same road” as the Benedictine facility, Cahall said. While the farm was not identified, Cahall said six poultry houses were affected. She said the Caroline County Health Department was in contact with the school.

According to Google Maps three farms with at least six houses are located within an 8-mile radius of the school. The closest farm with at least six houses is about three miles south of the school on Oakland Road.

The Caroline County Sheriff’s Office is providing security at the site, Commission President Travis Breeding said, adding. “We just don't want any more foot traffic or vehicular traffic on or off the facility than need to be.”

Breeding said Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks had reached out to him.

“The impact of it is significant,” Cahall said. “One of my other concerns … is the economic impact that this may have, so I think it is very important that that's acknowledged, and we keep a very close eye on that as well. We have mental health resources available, because this can be a very stressful time for individuals.”

Commission Vice President Larry Porter said calls over the weekend expressed concern about odor in the area, originally thought to be related to food processing residuals (FPRs).

“This is not the time of year for transporting and applying (FPRs), so our response was that we felt that this may be the transport of the dead birds,” Porter said.

There were no human cases of avian flu in Maryland as of the morning of Jan. 14. “However, in terms of the HPAI, those at greatest risk are those that are in contact with dairy cattle, poultry and wild birds,” Cahall said. “This includes farmers, hunters and individuals with small backyard chicken flocks” (see biosecurity guidelines below).

Although the “threat to humans is low, … if the virus mutates that could present a problem,” Cahall said. The county health department is directed by the Maryland Department of Health when a known exposure is identified. CCHD administers testing for the virus, with prior approval by MDH, which then monitors symptoms. An individual has to present with symptoms in order to be tested, and results can take one or two days.

The virus can survive a day on plastic surfaces and several hours on human skin, Cahall said. She cautioned the public to refrain from drinking unpasteurized milk and to “make sure all chicken is cooked to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit, which is our standard for eating chicken.”

Also, on Jan. 14, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources published a press release advising hunters and birders to be vigilant regarding HPAI. In early January the bird flu was found in seven dead snow geese in Dorchester and Worcester counties.

HPAI “should be considered endemic throughout Maryland’s wild bird populations, especially waterfowl and raptors,” the release stated.

“Hunting wild birds remains safe but some guidelines should be followed: Never harvest or handle wild birds that are obviously sick or found dead, wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer immediately after handling game; use disposable gloves when handling game and double-bag offal and feathers; and use dedicated clothing, boots and, tools for cleaning game that are not used around poultry or pet birds. Anyone preparing harvested waterfowl should cook it to 165 degrees to kill any viruses or bacteria,” the release stated.

“Anyone who fills birdfeeders for the winter should feel free to do so, as songbirds carry a very low risk of getting or spreading the virus,” according to DNR.

The lead agency for monitoring HPAI is the Maryland Department of Agriculture.