Avian Influenza Strikes Flock in Iowa 2022

A single case of avian flu has been diagnosed in Council Bluffs Iowa region. If the disease moves west it could be a huge challenge for Nebraska poultry growers. Officials in Iowa substantiated the occurrence of this extremely transmissible disease, week of March 3^rd, 2022, found in Pottawattamie County, it was discovered in a small flock of less than 50 birds and all birds were destroyed and incinerated to minimize all risks further spread of the disease.

This was the first incident of Avian Flu since 2015, when this awful disease killed more than 50 million chickens and turkeys. Currently there has been “no cases in Nebraska” according to the state veterinarian Roger Dudley, with Nebraska Department Agriculture. “Everybody needs to continue to be prepared,” Dudley said. “He asks that poultry producers monitor their flocks for symptoms, which include decreased water consumption, lack of energy and more. “If everybody can follow the proper biosecurity and do our best to keep domestic poultry away from wild waterfowl, hopefully we can continue to prevent avian influenza from getting into Nebraska,” he said.

“Avian Influenza Last Occurrence in 2015 killed over 50 million Chickens and Turkeys”

Nebraska Department of Agriculture Press Release March 2, 2022

NDA ADVISES POULTRY OWNERS TO WATCH FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA
LINCOLN –The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is advising poultry owners to
protect their flocks against avian influenza by closely monitoring their birds for signs of the
disease and by maintaining strict biosecurity practices. Highly pathogenic avian influenza
(HPAI) is very contagious and can cause severe illness and/or sudden death in domestic birds.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed HPAI in commercial and/or backyard flocks
in Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, New York and Virginia.
To date, the virus has not been found in Nebraska

“While we have not seen HPAI in Nebraska since 2015, protecting the health of poultry in the
state is a top priority,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Roger Dudley. “It’s important for poultry
owners to know about this disease, take the necessary steps to help prevent its spread, and protect
Nebraska’s poultry industry.”

Dudley is asking Nebraska poultry producers, large and small, to monitor their flocks for
symptoms of HPAI, review and maintain their biosecurity activities, and notify NDA
immediately if they suspect any problems. Bird owners should report unusual bird deaths or sick birds to NDA at 800-831-0550 or 402-471-2351, or through USDA at 866-536-7593.

Symptoms of Avian Influenza

• Decrease in Water Consumption
• Lack of Energy and Appetite
• Decreased Egg Production
• Soft Shelled Eggs
• Nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing
• Incoordination
• Diarrhea
• Sudden Death

The deadly virus can exist for several weeks in a contaminated environment.

Dudley is asking Nebraska poultry producers, large and small, to monitor their flocks for symptoms of HPAI, review and maintain their biosecurity activities, and notify NDA immediately if they suspect any problems. Bird owners should report unusual bird deaths or sick birds to NDA at 800-831-0550 or 402-471-2351, or through USDA at 866-536-7593.

Enhanced biosecurity helps prevent the introduction and spread of viruses and diseases including HPAI. NDA and USDA have resources available to help poultry owners step up their biosecurity efforts
Biosecurity Measures See NDA HPAI Brochure

For more information about avian influenza, visit NDA’s website
https://nda.nebraska.gov/animal/avian/index.html or the USDA’s website
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/. Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks
can be found at http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov