Poultry owners advised to watch for avian influenza

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture is urging poultry owners to monitor flocks for signs of the avian influenza.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed HPAI in commercial and/or backyard flocks in Iowa, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York and Virginia.

As of Friday, the virus has not been found in Nebraska.

“While we have not seen HPAI in Nebraska since 2015, protecting the health of pountry in the state is a top priority,” said state veterinarian Dr. Roger Dudley.

The virus can cause sudden death in birds, even if they don’t show symptoms.

Symptoms of HPAI 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 virus can survive for weeks in contaminated environments.

Bird owners should report unusual bird deaths or sick birds to NDA at 800-831-0550 or 402-471-2351 or through the USDA at 866-536-7593.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of people getting HPAI infections from birds is low. No human cases of avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States.

Any poultry entering Nebraska must be accompanied by a VS form 9-3 or Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. Individuals who plan to move an animal into Nebraska from an affected state should 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.