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Animal Health
The goal of Animal Health, a unit of the Division of Animal and Plant Health, is to prevent the introduction and spread of contagious diseases among poultry and livestock, promote public health and food safety as it relates to zoonotic disease, to enhance the quality and health of livestock, and to maintain fair practices in the buying and selling of poultry and livestock.
Our objective is disease control through regulation and education. We ensure the health of animals to ensure the public health. We provide technical assistance and law enforcement to control livestock and poultry diseases. Enforcement of permit regulations, prompt diagnosis of disease, surveillance testing programs, a reportable disease list, the accreditation of veterinarians, licensed livestock and poultry dealers and auction sales are key activities. The movement of livestock and pets entering Maine is regulated.
News
- 4/20/2023: Advisory for Live Poultry Events in Maine (PDF)
- 4/13/2023: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry names Bolas as new State Veterinarian
- 10/14/2022: Vigilance is still needed as HPAI continues to be detected in Maine's wildlife
- 4/22/2022: Maine Animal Health Officials Issue Advisory Regarding Poultry Swaps and Exhibitions In Response to Bird Flu Cases
- 3/31/2022: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Situational Report
- 3/17/2022: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Situational Report
- 2/23/2022: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Situational Report
- 2/21/2022: Maine Officials Respond to Avian Influenza Detected in Knox County
- 2/14/2022: Surveillance testing in New Hampshire identifies H5 HPAI infected wild birds. Read the public announcement. This virus is very likely circulating in Maine's wild birds too. Prevent this virus from impacting your poultry by keeping them separate from wild birds and their environment. Learn more here: Defend the Flock Resource Center.
- 2/10/2022: USDA Confirms first case of H5 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in US poultry since 2015. This HPAI virus has also been confirmed in our Atlantic Flyway. Maine poultry producers need to take biosecurity steps now to protect their birds. Please call DACF Animal Health, UMaine Extension or your flock veterinarian if you need guidance.
- 1/27/2022: Avian Influenza detections continue in the Atlantic Flyway. Stay up to date and learn how to protect your birds at the USDA 2022 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza website.
- 1/14/2022: USDA APHIS announces first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in US since 2016. This case was detected in a wild bird in South Carolina. Maine poultry producers are encouraged to implement wild bird exclusion and farm sanitation practices for their farms. Call DACF Animal Health if you have questions or suspect AI in your flock.
- 1/12/22: Additional avian influenza cases detected in 2022. Read January 2022: Letter to Maine Poultry Producers (PDF).
11/18/2021- It’s Avian Influenza Season! As migratory waterfowl are making their way through Maine, it is important to be proactive about protecting your flock from contagious diseases. Multiple types of Avian Influenza have been detected in this population already this season. Visit the USDA Defend the Flock program to learn more about flock protection though biosecurity, or check out this video from the University of Maryland Extension Service. Updates regarding influenza in Maine can be found on this page under “Avian Influenza and Resources” - 9/2/2021 - African Swine Fever: tune into a week of FREE webinars Sept 13-17 to learn about this foreign animal disease from USDA experts. Get the schedule of webinar topics and register to participate (PDF).
- 6/29/2021 - USDA launches #FlockDefender program to provide FREE poultry health and biosecurity tools for youth and student audiences (PDF)
- 12/29/2020- Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been identified in wild and domestic birds in Europe and Asia. Check out this ME DACF notice (PDF) for more information about HAPI and protecting your poultry flock in Maine.
- 8/31/2020 - August 2020 Rabbit Health Advisory (PDF)
- 8/6/2020 - Federal CDC reports outbreaks of salmonella in people that are linked to exposure to live poultry. The number of salmonella cases seen so far this year is increased when compared to the number of cases identified last year. See the resources below for tips about keeping people and their poultry healthy!
- 6/23/2020 - Summer 2020 Swine Health Update (PDF)
- 6/2/2020- Both the Southern California vND and South Carolina HPAI quarantine zones have been lifted!
- 3/26/2020 - Due to concerns for COVID-19 transmission we are recommending that all DACF certified NPIP testers postpone all non-essential flock recertification activities.
- 3/10/2020 - Focus on Farm Biosecurity in the Midst of Disease Outbreaks – Farming Smart in the COVID-19 Era
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Animal Health Programs
Contact Us
| Contact Name / Topic Area | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Stefanie Bolas, State Veterinarian | ||
| Carolyn Hurwitz, Asst. State Veterinarian | ||
| Rachael Fiske, Asst. State Veterinarian | ||
| Donna Flint, Poultry Health Technician | ||
| Mark Hedrich, Nutrient Management Program | ||
| Matt Randall, Ag. Compliance Program | ||
| Carol Delaney, Livestock Specialist | ||
| General Questions, Animal Health | AnimalHealth.AGR@maine.gov | 207-287-3701 |
| For Importation Permits | 207-287-3701 | |
| Animal Welfare Questions or Concerns | 207-287-3846 |