Poultry farmers, stressed by avian influenza outbreak, need access to mental health support [editorial]

THE PROBLEM: Gregory Martin, a poultry expert with Penn State Extension based in Lancaster County, is concerned about the impact the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza could have on the financial and mental health of farmers here, LNP | Nicole C. Brambila of LancasterOnline reported in the April 2 issue. Martin’s concern comes at a time when, nationally, the number of US sites where bird flu is present grew 40% in the first week of April. Philip Gruber of Lancaster Farming reported Thursday. “East Coast infections reported so far this month are four turkey farms in North Carolina, one backyard flock in Maine, and one in western New York,” Gruber reported. Lancaster County is the largest poultry producer in Pennsylvania.

The continued spread of avian influenza in the US represents a heartbreaking moment for everyone who works in the poultry industry.

As we pointed out in an editorial last month, worst case is not something the farmers here want to look at. An outbreak of avian flu in Pennsylvania in 1983-84 resulted in the deaths of more than 17 million chickens, turkeys, and guineafowl combined and $60 million in losses to producers.

“Most of us know someone whose livelihood depends on this sector of agriculture,” we wrote in that editorial.

But one glimpse of a silver lining is that the threat of a terrible repeated outbreak here has highlighted an issue that is too infrequently addressed: the mental health of farmers and farmworkers.

Martin told the newly created Lancaster County Health Advisory Council that while county farmers are resilient, they are not immune to the stress of worrying about potentially catastrophic events.

“If you lose your birds, it’s a huge financial hit,” Martin said.

In fact it would be.

As we have noted, encouraging steps are being taken to make everyone aware of the possible consequences of a generalized epidemic.

“State officials (have) urged poultry farmers to reinforce biosecurity measures to prevent disease, encouraging them to immediately report sick birds; limit non-essential access to farms; regularly clean farm-related clothing and equipment; and avoid sharing equipment with other farms, in addition to other guidelines”, LNP | Sean Sauro of LancasterOnline reported in late February.

And the state Office of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services has been ready to help farmers with questions or concerns about avian flu. You can call 717-772-2852 or send an email [email protected].

Therefore, state and local officials have delivered the necessary messages to keep herds safe in the county.

Now, we’d like to see officials get ahead of the curve by providing mental health support to farmers here who might face devastation.

Insurance will not be enough to cover losses if an entire flock has to be eradicated due to infection, and that economic reality can weigh heavily on the industry.

“There is no guarantee that the birds will be able to return. It can take months and months,” James Shirk, a Lancaster County native and longtime agricultural professional, told Sauro earlier this year. “It is potentially the end of the farm. It really is that devastating.”

Imagine losing your livelihood or being severely reduced, just like that. (Small business owners were undoubtedly hit hard early in the pandemic.)

“Avian flu outbreaks can cause emotional and psychological stress,” said Jeff Bender, a professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. told the Faribault (Minnesota) Daily News this month. “Mental health in this situation is a major concern, not only for homeowners, but also for workers who depend on regular income. Stress also includes wondering if your herd will be affected and how you will control the outbreak.”

Bender emphasized the need to recognize the signs of stress and depression and offer broad community support to farmers and farmworkers, especially in rural communities.

His words should also resonate here, where Plain farmers represent a demographic that can be particularly difficult to reach on public health issues.

Martin emphasized his concern for the mental health of farmers before the county’s Health Advisory Council. we have questionedhowever, whether this council, which was approved by Lancaster County Commissioners last fall, can effectively respond to public health threats.

Each of the county’s four major health systems has a presence on the nine-member council, which meets the first Friday of every month, Brambila reported. But the council is only advisory. As LNP | LancasterOnline has previously noted, does not have “power to take action in the event of a public health emergency. Instead, its members will primarily advise county commissioners and help the county health and medical preparedness coordinator prepare for future emergencies.”

We strongly believe that what Lancaster County really needs is a county public health department. But the two Republicans who lead the county commissioners have made it clear that’s not in the cards.

So maybe this is an opportunity for the Health Advisory Council to recommend meaningful action that commissioners can implement. Those recommendations could involve ways to reinforce messages about the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak and, more importantly, provide and publicize mental health resources for those in the poultry industry who may be struggling under all the stress.

Whether it’s an action by the county or by some part of the health care system, we must not stop supporting those who face daily fear as avian influenza spreads across the northeastern United States.