Nebraska officials are urging vigilance after a strain of deadly avian flu was discovered in a small backyard flock in Colfax County, about 70 miles northwest of Omaha.
The warning from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture comes amid several confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the nearby states of Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota.
The deadly flu forced the slaughter of nearly 58 million birds last year and at least 8-million so far this year. The loss of laying hens caused a spike in egg prices, which more than doubled in 2022.
Nebraska State Veterinarian Dr Roger Dudley says “Poultry producers need to continue to be vigilant in protecting their flocks,” and he urges good biosecurity measures to help prevent the spread of the disease.
Avian flu spreads easily among birds through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure. Wild birds can spread the virus to domestic flocks, but it can also spread via equipment, and clothing and shoes of caretakers.
Poultry producers can get more information at nda.nebraska.gov, which includes an updated map of cases in Nebraska. Signs of Avian influenza or unusual deaths should be reported to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture or the USDA