Health Dep't offers tips on safely raising backyard poultry, avoiding avian flu

Tips on Safely Raising Backyard Poultry to Avoid Getting Sick this Spring

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 27th) - Each year many people begin or continue raising backyard poultry flocks. These flocks have been gaining in popularity over the past several years and interest in them continues to grow. 

But there can be health risks for birds and humans associated with raising these flocks.

“The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) wants to remind flock owners to learn about and practice essential prevention measures to minimize the risk of disease transmission among both birds and humans, known as biosecurity,” said Ashlyn Wayman, a lead investigative epidemiologist with the Infectious Disease Prevention and Response service. “Biosecurity practices are vital in protecting not only your own birds, but neighboring flocks as well as our nation’s commercial poultry industry, from diseases like highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).”

After case of bird flu in wild duck, Health Dep't shares safety tips on raising backyard poultry

OSDH Shares Biosecurity Tips on Safely Raising Backyard Poultry

After First Case of Avian Influenza was Detected in a Wild Duck in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY – Each year, as spring arrives, many people begin or continue raising backyard poultry flocks. These flocks have been gaining in popularity over the past several years and interest in them continues to grow. 

“The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) wants to remind flock owners to learn about and practice essential prevention measures to minimize the risk of disease transmission, known as biosecurity,” said LeMac’ Morris, the State’s Public Health Veterinarian. “Biosecurity practices are vital in protecting not only your own birds, but neighboring flocks as well as our nation’s commercial poultry industry, from diseases like highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).”

State Health Department: flu vaccine available starting today

Flu Vaccine Available Starting Oct. 1

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 30, 2020) – Local county health departments and other health care providers in Oklahoma will begin offering seasonal flu vaccinations on Thursday, Oct. 1. Almost everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year. It is an effective way to prevent flu illness and another great tool for mitigating the impacts of COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a flu vaccine by the end of October, before flu begins spreading in the community. The flu vaccine can keep a person from getting the flu and make the illness less severe if a person gets it. 

CDC has worked with vaccine manufacturers to have extra flu vaccine available this flu season, and Oklahoma will distribute 400,000 flu vaccine doses to ensure availability of an affordable or free flu shot this year.

Erickson: why NYC's adjusted count now compares apples-to-apples on COVID-19 and flu deaths

[I'm sharing excerpts from this article by Erick Erickson because it addresses a common reaction I've seen online to the news that New York City is counting presumed cases in addition to confirmed cases in their COVID-19 death toll. Be sure to read his full article.]

Why NYC Adjusted Its Death Count for COVID-19

It allows an apples to apples comparison with flu now

by Erick-Woods Erickson

I hate to do a Vox style explainer on this, but I already see people on the right asserting some pretty wild claims about this New York Times story and I actually did pick up the phone, talk to people at the CDC, and have an accurate understanding of what is going on.

Possible Swine Flu at Muskogee VA Hospital

From KOTV:

Possible Swine Flu Case In Muskogee

MUSKOGEE, OK -- The Veterans Administration hospital in Muskogee has told the News On 6 on Tuesday, a patient at their facility appears to have swine flu symptoms.

VA spokesperson Neda McClellan says the patient confirmed he had recently returned from Cozumel, Mexico.

McClellan says the hospital took culture samples and sent them on the Oklahoma Department of Health for evaluation. They expect to know whether or not the patient tests positive for swine flu by Wednesday afternoon.

If positive, this would be the first case of swine flu in Oklahoma.

You can read the rest of the article here.