Nebraska reports fourth case of HPAI in domestic poultry

Nebraska’s Department of Agriculture confirmed, March 26, a fourth case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been discovered in a backyard flock in Holt County. 

Cases have also been detected in a backyard flock in Merrick County and in two commercial flocks in Butler county. 

Over 970,000 bird have been removed from populations and carcasses have been properly discarded.

A 6.2 mile quarantine control zones around each of the effected farms has been put into place. 

The NDA has canceled all poultry events in the state and will reevaluate the cancellations, May 1. 

Sale of ducklings, goslings and chicks hatched through the National Poultry Improvement Plan, at farm stores will continue. 

Any poultry entering the state of Nebraska must have a VS form 9 or a Certificate of Veterinary inspection.

“The decision to cancel poultry events was not taken lightly but is a necessary step to assure we are doing everything possible to protect our poultry producers, both small and large,” NDA Director Steve Wellman said in a press release, March 26. “Poultry producers should continue to take biosecurity measures on their farms to help prevent the spread of the disease into their flock.”

HPIA is a highly contagious disease that spread through nasal and eye discharge and manure. 

Flock to flocks spread by contact with infected birds, equipment, tires and clothing, is also possible.

Wild poultry can carry the disease from flock to flock without getting sick.

Owners of poultry should report any suspected cases of HPAI to the NDA by calling  402-471-2351 or the USDA  at 866-536-7593.

Symptoms include low intake of water and feed, decreased egg production or misshapen eggs, discharge (nasal, sneezing, eye  or diarrhea), lack of energy, coughing, incoordination or sudden death. 

The NDA has requested that owners of poultry wear clean clothes and shoes when working around poultry, wash hands before and after handling birds and clean all equipment and tires that may have come in contact with an infected flock.

 No case of the bird flu infecting humans has been reported in the U.S.

Photo courtesy USDA