Blooms of harmful algae or cyanobacteria (also called blue-green algae) can harm people, animals, and the environment. A new CDC report shows that during 2019, 14 states reported 242 harmful algal blooms, 63 human illnesses, and 367 animal illnesses linked to harmful algal blooms. Over half of the animals (56%)—including pets, livestock, and wildlife—died after coming in contact with harmful algal blooms.
Youth are the future of our nation’s poultry farming and industry.
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Defend the Flock public education campaign is launching #FlockDefender, a new outreach effort specifically aimed at helping youth and student poultry owners learn about and practice good biosecurity.
The #FlockDefender page provides youth, students and their leaders and teachers with many electronic resources they can use during meetings, classes and when caring for their flocks. APHIS is also encouraging these young poultry enthusiasts to share photos of their poultry or biosecurity practices. The free youth toolkit is available 24/7 at www.bit.ly/DefendtheFlock-Youth.