HPAI found in twelve flocks in Nebraska

Nebraska has lowered its egg production by 25% this year alone, ending with 113 million eggs produced. This shortage has been blamed on an highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak that occurred earlier this year. 

The disease ended in  a loss of 1.3 million laying hens in the state with a total of 6 million chickens dead from Avian Influenza. 

Dropping the population of laying hens from 6.48 million down to 8.19 million.

Unlike previous years, in the holiday season, egg demand has dropped this year, most likely to blame are the high egg prices. 

According to the United States Agriculture Service (USDA), egg prices are double what they were going into the holiday season last year. 

As of Oct. 20, there are cases of HPAI in commercial flocks in Butler, Knox, Dixon and York counties. 

There have been twelve cases of HPAI in the state of Nebraska since the early outbreak last year.

Avian influenza cases have been continuing since last March with the first commercial flock case occurring March 22 in a flock of 570,000 broilers. 

The most recent case, in York county is a flock of 33,500 gamebirds. Following the diagnosis of the disease the flock was depopulated and disposed of. A 6.2 mile quarantine zone was also established. 

Only one backyard flock within Dawes county was effected, protocols were followed to depopulate the flock. 

According to the CDC, in order to stop the spread of HPAI, flocks should have limited access to wildlife, access to the flock should be restricted and extra cleaning measures may need to be implemented.