The USDA and the Nebraska Dept of Agriculture say the state’s 13th case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, better known as bird flu, has been reported and it’s the biggest this year.
The state says the affected farm in Dixon County in the extreme northeast corner of Nebraska is a commercial flock of 1.8 million laying hens.
Under USDA policy, the flock will be depopulated and disposed of in an approved manner with a 6.2-mile control zone established around the farm.
There have been 3 bird flu cases in the Panhandle this year, one each in Scotts Bluff, Dawes, and Box Butte.
All involved small flocks, 50 or fewer chickens and waterfowl in Scotts Bluff and Dawes and between 50 and 100 chickens in Box Butte County. All 3 were depopulated and incinerated, and the surveillance zone requirement lifted for each.