Helena, Mont. – On Tuesday, April 19, the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) received confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a Glacier County flock. This is the fourth Montana flock confirmed infected and is part of a wave of HPAI infections in the United States that it linked to seasonal migrations of wild birds. Previous detections in domestic poultry in Montana this year were in Judith Basin, Cascade, and Toole Counties.
“HPAI continues to be a risk for any domestic poultry,” stated Dr. Marty Zaluski, Montana State Veterinarian. “We expect more infections in Montana this season unless domestic birds are kept indoors, or separated from wild birds and waterfowl.”
The Glacier County premises reported a large number of bird mortalities in recent days. Samples from the flock were submitted to the Montana Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (MVDL) and tested positive for the presence of avian influenza.
Infected flocks are placed under quarantine and are required to depopulate all remaining birds on the premises to prevent further disease spread. Flock owners are eligible to receive indemnity on birds from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Depopulation of the flock is expected to begin this week.
Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease of birds that can cause high mortality rates in domestic flocks. Migratory waterfowl are the primary source for avian influenza (AI). Wild birds can be infected and appear healthy but shed virus in the feces, saliva, and respiratory secretions. Domestic poultry become infected through direct contact with infected wild birds, or through contact with contaminated objects, equipment, or the environment.
The Montana Department of Livestock is conducting an epidemiological investigation and will be identifying other poultry producers in the area to conduct disease surveillance and to provide educational resources. Because of the location of the affected premises, the Department is coordinating with Blackfeet Tribal Officials on outreach and canvassing.
The Department encourages poultry producers to implement the following biosecurity measures to protect flocks:
Prevent contact between wild or migratory birds and domestic poultry, including access by wild birds to feed and water sources.
House birds indoors to the extent possible to limit exposure to wild or migratory birds.
Limit visitor access to areas where birds are housed.
Use dedicated clothing and protective footwear when caring for domestic poultry.
Immediately isolate sick animals and contact your veterinarian or MDOL.
Sick birds can exhibit numerous signs such as swollen eyes, discolored comb and legs, significant drop in egg production or water and feed consumption, or sudden death. MDOL encourages all poultry producers to immediately report sudden onset of illness or high death loss in domestic poultry to their veterinarian or the department at (444-2976). If you find sick or dead wild birds that have died from unknown causes, please contact your local FWP Warden, Biologist or Regional office, or call the FWP wildlife veterinarian (577-7880).
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) considers the risk to people from these HPAI infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low. No human infections with the virus have been detected at this time. Existing safeguards to keep food safe and wholesome are sufficient to protect people, and the food supply in the United States is one of the safest in the world. As a reminder, the US Department of Agriculture recommends cooking poultry to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
The mission of the Montana
Call for Bid: The commissioners of the Central Montana Health District Board of Health have determined that the following personal property of the District, located at the Central Montana Health District office, is obsolete for the District's purposes. A legal description of the personal property is as follows:
2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT
2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT; 1D8HN54P58B160160; FWD; Approx. 98,000 miles; Fair condition; Requires new engine. Board will accept sealed bids submitted to the Central Montana Health District office located at 300 ist Ave. N. Suite 201, Lewistown, MT, 59457 by 5:00 pm on May 11, 2022.
Minimum starting bid of $1,000.00. Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
As provided in §7-8-2211, MCA, the Board of Central Montana Health District hereby declare for sale the property identified above because it has been replaced with a different vehicle.
The Board of the Central Montana Health District further resolve that notice of the resolution shall be published in the Lewistown News-Argus, in the Harlowton Times-Clarion, in the Stanford Judith Basin Press, in the Roundup Record-Tribune & Winnett Times, and on the official Central Montana Health District website and Facebook site.
Don Hajenga, Board Chair, Central Montana Health District
Susan Woods, Public Health Director, Central Montana Health District
2011 Chevrolet Equinox LT
2011 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2CNFLEE58B6389429; AWD; 98,086 miles; Good condition; Minor body damage. Board will accept sealed bids submitted to the Central Montana Health District office located at 300 1st Ave. N. Suite 201, Lewistown, MT, 59457 by 5:00 pm on May 11, 2022. Bids submitted by mail must be received in the health district office by close of business, May 11, 2022. Minimum starting bid of $3,000.00. Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
As provided in §7-8-2211, MCA, the Board of Central Montana Health District hereby declare for sale the property identified above because it has been replaced with a different vehicle.
The Board of the Central Montana Health District further resolve that notice of the resolution shall be published in the Lewistown News-Argus, in the Harlowton Times-Clarion, in the Stanford Judith Basin Press, in the Roundup Record-Tribune & Winnett Times, and on the official Central Montana Health District website and Facebook.
Don Hajenga, Board Chair, Central Montana Health District
Susan Woods, Public Health Director, Central Montana Health District
(Pub. April 27 & May 4, 2022)
Service
Low Income Assistance Available to
Mid-Rivers Customers
Mid-Rivers Communications offers Lifeline low-income assistance to qualifying subscribers with discounts of $9.25 per month on qualifying Internet or bundles. Larger discounts are available to qualifying customers on Tribal Lands. Mid-Rivers also participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a government program that can further reduce Internet bills for qualifying customers. ACP discounts are up to $30 per month, or $75 per month for customers on Tribal Lands. These assistance services are non-transferable and allow for only one discount per qualifying household. Eligibility standards are determined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Call 1-800-452-2288, text 406-359-6887, or visit http://www.midrivers.com/internet/acp/ for more information.
(Pub. 2022)
Department of Livestock is to control and eradicate animal diseases, prevent the transmission of animal diseases to humans, and to protect the livestock industry from theft and predatory animals. For more information on the Montana Department of Livestock, visit http://www.liv.mt.gov.
For more information on biosecurity, please visit the USDA website at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/defend-the-flock-program/dtf-resources/dtf-resources.
For more information on national cases of HPAI, please visit the USDA website at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/2022-hpai.
For information on human health concerns and HPAI, please visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-flu-summary.htm.
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