HPAI

Today, Colorado State Veterinarian Dr. Maggie Baldwin released the last premises quarantine in Colorado enacted as a result of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak. With the release of the final HPAI quarantine, Colorado has achieved HPAI-free status as designated by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

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 threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is still fully present across Colorado and the country. With multiple new detections in Colorado over the past week, the Colorado State Veterinarian’s Office is continuing to promote biosecurity practices as the best method to prevent the introduction of the disease fatal to birds and poultry. 

On June 22, 2022, the Colorado Agricultural Commission met to discuss an Emergency Rule on poultry shows that is set to expire on June 30, 2022. The Commission approved the recommendation of the Commissioner of Agriculture and State Veterinarian to let the current rule expire without promulgating a follow-up emergency rule.

Upon guidance from the Colorado State Veterinarian, the Colorado State Fair Board Authority has made the determination to cancel any poultry shows during the 2022 fair. This precautionary measure is being taken as highly pathogenic avian influenza continues to affect domestic poultry across the nation. The Board approved the cancellation during their regular Board meeting on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.

The outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) across the United States and in Colorado continues to grow and expand. To provide a coordinated state response and reduce the spread of HPAI, Governor Polis issued a verbal state of emergency on April 29, 2022 at 6:41 p.m. and established a Unified Command Group (UCG) to facilitate the State response. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) has confirmed the detection of Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus in a mixed species backyard poultry operation in La Plata County. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) has confirmed the detection of Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus in a commercial poultry operation in Montrose County. 

Avian influenza does not present a food safety risk; poultry and eggs are safe to eat when handled and cooked properly. No human cases of avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States.

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