Strengthen Biosecurity Amid Bird Flu Risk

With spring migration underway, livestock producers should ramp up biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza. “What is your line of separation when you come into your place?” asked Mary Keena, NDSU Extension livestock management specialist. “If you consider the outside dirty and the inside your farm clean, what are you bringing in? What does your biosecurity look like?” Keena also advised farmers to watch for signs of illness. “In poultry, that showed itself as decreased egg production, decreased water intake, and) they just don’t feel good,” she explained. “In dairy cattle, that’s looking the same with decreased milk production, they look a little lethargic, maybe have a little fever.” If symptoms persist, a veterinarian should be consulted.