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Possible case of bird flu in Pottawatomie Co

By Submitted

12/02/2023

(KMZA)--The Kansas Department of Agriculture is awaiting confirmation on a presumptive positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), better known as bird flu, in a backyard flock in Pottawatomie County in northeast Kansas.

If confirmed, it would be the first case of the bird flu in Kansas this fall. “If you have not yet taken steps to protect your backyard flocks, now is the time to take this threat seriously,” said Dr. Justin Smith, Kansas Animal Health Commissioner.

Fall has brought a resurgence of the bird flu nationwide, including cases in several states that border Kansas- Missouri, Oklahoma and Colorado.

KDA advises owners of poultry flocks to be particularly vigilant in protecting their birds. Analysis of this outbreak of HPAI has shown that the spread has been primarily from wild migratory waterfowl, which makes free-range backyard flocks at high risk because of the potential of exposure to the wild birds.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that can infect chickens, gamebirds, turkeys, and other birds and can cause severe illness and/or sudden death in infected birds. This outbreak has seen illness and mortality in a wider scope of bird species than past outbreaks, including wild and domestic waterfowl.

If these symptoms are observed in your birds, immediately contact your veterinarian. If you don’t have a regular veterinarian, contact KDA's Division of Animal Health office toll-free at 833-765-2006.

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