A juvenile goat in Minnesota recently tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The goat lived on a farm where a poultry flock tested positive for HPAI in late February. The goat shared the same pasture and water source as the poultry flock.
Only young goats fell ill in the Minnesota case, not mature goats. This case is being investigated by the Minnesota Board of Animal Health with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“As we aim to protect livestock for our North Dakota producers, the risk of transmission increases during spring,” says Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University Extension (NDSU) livestock environmental stewardship specialist.
In Canada, a mink farm in British Columbia was infected by avian flu.
NDSU Extension experts support the biosecurity practices released by University of Minnesota Extension that can reduce the potential for domestic animals to contract HPAI. Recommended practices include:
Do not allow poultry and livestock species access to ponds, wetlands and other stagnant water sources that are frequented by wild waterfowl such as ducks, geese or swans.
Watch poultry and livestock for signs of illness, including reduced appetite, fever, inability to stand, depression, nasal discharge, diarrhea, coughing and change in behavior.
Consider housing poultry separately from other livestock species and minimize poultry access to pasture areas that are grazed by other livestock species.
Do not allow poultry, waterfowl and wildlife to share water sources and feedstuffs with other livestock species.
