The Nebraska Dept of Agriculture says the state has its 9th confirmed case this year and first since April of highly pathogenic avian influenza, more commonly called HPAI or simply bird flu, and it’s in Dawes County
State Veterinarian Dr Roger Dudley says the case was in a small backyard flock that has been humanely depopulated and disposed of in an approved manner.
Dr Dudley says the state ag department is following USDA policy and establishing a 6.2-mile surveillance zone around the infected flock.
He encourages all poultry producers in the surveillance zone to make sure they know the signs and symptoms of bird flu and immediately notify the state of any sick or dying birds.
Those symptoms include: a decrease in water consumption; lack of energy and appetite; decreased egg production or soft-shelled, misshapen eggs, nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing; incoordination; and diarrhea.
The disease can also cause sudden death in birds even if they aren’t showing any other symptoms, and the virus can survive for weeks in contaminated environments.
Avian influenza is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily among birds through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure.
It can move flock to flock in various ways including by wild birds, who can carry the virus without becoming sick, and by contact with infected poultry or equipment, clothing, and shoes of caretakers who’ve been in contact with infected birds..
Do they have a map of the surveillance area?