Posted on 11/06/2001 1:01:01 PM PST by LurkedLongEnough
SCOTLAND, Conn., Nov. 6 - The state Department of Agriculture has ordered the destruction of 16,000 chickens at a poultry farm in the eastern Connecticut town of Scotland where authorities have found a virus that could prove deadly to a variety of animals.
The discovery of a rare and potentially devastating viral disease was announced Monday. The state agency said that the avian influenza virus was found last month in chickens on a farm on Route 14 that raises broilers. The disease does not pose a threat to human health, but may be contracted by many wild and domestic bird species.
The state quarantined the Scotland site October 12th and was to begin destroying the birds Tuesday.
All poultry owners across New England were informed as to how to protect their flocks. Steps include preventing contact with other birds, knowing the source of supplies, and controlling site access, according to Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Bruce Gresczyk.
"Once it gets into a species it can be devastating to fowl," Gresczyk said Monday. "We haven't had any in Connecticut in quite some time."
Tests taken from neighboring and area flocks have been negative, Gresczyk said.
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