Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza detected in Nebraska poultry

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture announced Thursday that the first cases this year of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been detected in the state.

The announcement was made in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture Animal Plant Health Inspection Service.

A press release from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture stated the first case was discovered in a backyard poultry flock in Kearney County and the second case was discovered in a backyard flock in Nance County.

State Veterinarian Roger Dudley reminded producers to practice good biosecurity with their flocks, including minimizing exposure to wild birds and washing hands and changing clothes before and after coming into contact with poultry.

HPAI is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily among birds through nasal and eye secretions, as well as infected food, water, and manure. The virus can be spread in various ways from flock to flock, including by wild birds during migratory season, through contact with infected poultry, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers.

The press release added that wild birds can carry the virus without becoming sick, while domesticated birds can become very sick and die.

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.