HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania continues to monitor the rapid acceleration of cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle across the United States. While there have been no positive HPAI cases reported in PA, establishing biosecurity protocols is essential for dairy and poultry producers to protect their animals, protect their people, and protect Pennsylvania from the disease. The Center for Dairy Excellence will host a HPAI and Biosecurity Resource Center at the Keystone Farm Show in York, Pennsylvania from January 7-9, 2025.
“With the large number of dairy herds and poultry flocks in Pennsylvania, and their close proximity to each other, early detection is important to controlling the spread in the event of a positive HPAI case. It’s clear that biosecurity is important to Pennsylvania agriculture, but our goal with this Resource Center is to make it less intimidating for producers,” said Valerie Mason-Faith, Risk Education Program Manager at the Center for Dairy Excellence. “We have a large inventory of signage and free PPE equipment, including wash kits, to share with producers who drop in to the Resource Center. We’ll also have staff available to give honest answers to your questions and help you take the first steps to creating your biosecurity plan.”
Staff from the Center for Dairy Excellence, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Penn State Extension will be available for walk-ins from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day at the Resource Center. No appointments are needed. Dairy producers who visit the HPAI and Biosecurity Resource Center can:
- Start creating a biosecurity plan for their operation.
- Ask candid questions and sign up for voluntary testing.
- Get free biosecurity material such as: “No Trespassing Signs”; Lysol concentrate; scrub brushes; wash tubs; PPE samples like boot covers, gloves, masks, coveralls and more.
Learn more about the HPAI and Biosecurity Resource Center:
- When: January 7-9, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day
- Where: Keystone Farm Show in York, Pennsylvania in the meeting room of Building 3
- Cost: Free. Walk-ins only, no appointments needed.
As the dairy and poultry industries learn more about HPAI and how it is affecting herds and flocks, the Center for Dairy Excellence and Penn Ag Industries Association will continue to share updates from across the industry through monthly PA Agriculture HPAI Conference Calls. Visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/hpai-industry-call to join the next industry call or request a biosecurity kit to be mailed to you.
Visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/newsletter to sign up to receive email updates and get notified of future calls, news and resources.
— Center for Dairy Excellence
