Conduct avian health surveillance activities, specifically targeted to highly pathogenic avian influenza (hpai) and pullorum-typhoid to support the connecticut agricultural industry

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded the Connecticut Department of Agriculture Bureau of Agricultural Development and Research Preservation a cooperative agreement totaling $149,801 on April 1, 2026, under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025) to conduct avian health surveillance activities targeting highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and Pullorum-Typhoid in support of Connecticut's agricultural industry.

The agreement funds approximately 1,500 HPAI polymerase chain reaction tests annually distributed across poultry production sectors: 300 tests from egg-type primary and multiplier breeding chicken flocks, 325 from commercial table egg layers, 300 from live bird market system production facilities, 300 from retail markets and small processors, 75 from birds attending fairs and shows, and 1,300 from backyard birds. The recipient will conduct 125 HPAI PCR tests from sick bird calls and fund 90 necropsies from backyard flocks. The agreement also funds approximately 120 Pullorum-Typhoid tests and approximately 25 Mycoplasma tests in poultry, staff support and training for state personnel, and supplies to support disease surveillance and biosecurity needs.

Performance occurs in Connecticut, with the period of performance running from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027. The program benefits backyard poultry producers, commercial table-egg producers, embryonated egg producers, producers moving poultry into or out of Connecticut, and participants in agricultural fairs and 4-H programs.

Purpose

The purpose of this agreement is to conduct avian health surveillance activities, specifically targeted to highly pathogenic avian influenza (hpai) and pullorum-typhoid to support the connecticut agricultural industry.

Activities

Support animal health staff, provide training, obtain training, and carry out animal disease surveillance and laboratory activities to prevent, detect, and respond to animal health issues. Conduct 300 avian hpai PCR tests/year from EGG-type primary an d multiplier breeding chicken flocks, as well as 325 avian hpai PCR tests/year from commercial table EGG layers. Conduct 300 avian hpai PCR tests/year from live bird market system production facilities and 300 avian PCR tests/year from retail markets and small processors. Conduct 75 avian hpai PCR tests/year from birds attending fairs and shows. Conduct 1300 avian hpai PCR tests/year from backyard birds. Conduct 125 avian hpai PCR tests/year from sick bird calls, as well as fund 90 necropsies from backyard flocks. Fund training for state personnel. Purchase supplies to support testing and biosecurity needs associated with disease surveillance. Deliverables and expected outcomes: completion of metrics as outlined in the workplans for each funded commodity: • perform approximately 1500 PCR tests for highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry • perform approximately 120 pullorum-typhoid tests in poultry • perform approximately 25 tests for mycoplasma in poultry • fund necropsies for 90 poultry • early detection of avian influenza • supplies to support disease sampling intended beneficiary(IES): • 4-h and other agricultural fairs • backyard poultry producers • commercial table-EGG producers • embryonated EGG producers • producers moving poultry into/out of CT.