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Nebraska reports large HPAI case
Minnesota, North Carolina and Wisconsin also reporting new commercial cases of HPAI this week.
April 13, 2022
3 Min Read
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have announced a sixth confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). It is the third commercial flock affected by the virus in the state.The farm, a flock of over 1.7 million laying hens, is in Dixon County. Previously, two farms in Butler County had reported the virus, for a total of 970,000 broilers.
According to NDA State Veterinarian Dr. Roger Dudley, the farm has been quarantined and the birds will be humanely depopulated and disposed of in an approved manner. Additionally, NDA will be establishing a 6.2-mile control zone, as is USDA policy, around the affected premises. These producers should know the signs and symptoms of HPAI and notify NDA immediately of sick or dying poultry.
Dr. Dudley also announced the completion and release of the surveillance zones in Merrick and Holt counties and the completion and release of both the control and surveillance zones in Butler County.
In addition to Nebraska, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Wisconsin have reported commercial cases of HPAI this week. Minnesota reported five more cases in commercial flocks, with nearly 400,000 birds to be depopulated as a result. Wisconsin reported a turkey farm of 52,000 birds as having the virus and North Carolina reported a laying operation of 214,277 birds
Symptoms of HPAI in poultry 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. HPAI can also cause sudden death in birds even if they aren’t showing any other symptoms. HPAI can survive for weeks in contaminated environments.
Poultry owners should report unusual poultry bird deaths or sick birds to their respective state or through USDA at 866-536-7593.
All poultry entering Nebraska must be accompanied by a VS form 9-3 or Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI, or health certificate). If you are considering moving an animal into Nebraska from an affected state, please call 402-471-2351 to learn more. Nebraska poultry owners wanting to ship poultry out of state should consult the state veterinarians of the destination states for import requirements.
Enhanced biosecurity helps prevent the introduction and spread of viruses and diseases including HPAI. Resources are available to help poultry owners step up their biosecurity efforts.
Know the warning signs of infectious bird diseases like HPAI. Be on the lookout for unusual signs of behavior, severe illness and/or sudden deaths.
Restrict access to your property and poultry.
Keep it clean. Wear clean clothes, scrub boots/shoes with disinfectant and wash hands thoroughly before and after contact with your flock.
If you, your employees or family have been on other farms, or other places where there is livestock and/or poultry, clean and disinfect your vehicle tires and equipment before returning home.
Don’t share equipment, tools, or other supplies with other livestock or poultry owners.
In addition to practicing good biosecurity, all bird owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, making sure wild birds cannot access domestic poultry’s feed and water sources.
Report sick birds immediately to USDA at 866-536-7593; or your veterinarian. Early detection is important to prevent the spread of disease.
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