Bird flu confirmed in McPherson County commercial turkey flock

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – The Kansas Department of Agriculture confirmed the state’s first recognized case of extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or “bird flu” inside a commercial flock, a commercial turkey flock in McPherson Couny. Prior instances recognized in the state didn’t contain commercial flocks.

“To this point, there have been four backyard flocks in Kansas that have confirmed cases of HPAI,” KDA defined in a information launch on the invention throughout the commercial flock.

The division of agirculture confirmed it’s labored with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Planet Health Inspector Services (USDA–APHIS) in “a joint incident response at the affected premises in McPherson Conty.”

“According to KDA’s animal health officials, the turkey farm increased their biosecurity in early March and increased the monitoring of their flock. Upon noticing clinical signs of HPAI in their birds, they immediately contacted KDA. The affected premises was placed under quarantine and the birds will be humanely depopulated and disposed of in an approved manner to prevent the spread of the disease,” the KDA defined.

The division mentioned it would even be establishing a 20-kilometer surveillance zone across the impacted space “and other farms or properties with poulty thatt fall within that zone will not be allowed to move birds or poultry products on or off their property without KDA’s permission.

In addition, KDA will be establishing a 20-km surveillance zone around the infected premises, and other farms or properties with poultry that fall within that zone will not be allowed to move birds or poultry products on or off their property without permission from KDA.

“The animal health team is working to locate all poultry owners in the area to ensure they know the symptoms of HPAI and are taking critical steps to protect their birds. Please contact KDA at 833-765-2006 or KDA.HPAI@ks.gov if you own poultry and you live in the southern half of McPherson County, the northeast corner of Reno County, or the northwest corner of Harvey County, including the communities of McPherson, Moundridge, Buhler, Inman or Conway,” the division suggested.

The KDA defined, “highly pathogenic avian influenza is a contagious viral disease that can infect chickens, turkeys and other birds and can cause severe illness and/or sudden death in infected birds.”

Symptoms in birds embrace: coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and different indicators of respiratory misery; lack of power and urge for food; decreased water consumption; decreased egg manufacturing and/or soft-shelled, misshapen eggs; incoordination; and diarrhea.

The virus may trigger suddent dying in birds, even when they aren’t exhibiting different signs,” the KDA warned.

The KDA directed to anybody elevating poultry that if these signs are noticed in your birds, instantly contact your veterinarian. If you don’t have a daily veterinarian, contact KDA’s Division of Animal Health workplace toll-free at 833-765-2006.”

Anyone concerned with poultry manufacturing from the small yard rooster proprietor to the big commercial producer ought to assessment their biosecurity actions to guarantee the well being of their birds. Find steering on biosecurity on the KDA Division of Animal Health webpage at agriculture.ks.gov/AvianInfluenza,” the KDA mentioned.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clarified that the current HPAI detections don’t current a right away public well being concern.

“No human cases of these avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States. Birds and eggs from the infected flock will not enter the food system. As a reminder, the proper handling and cooking of all poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F is recommended as a general food safety precaution,” the KDA mentioned.

For extra details about HPAI, together with present standing of the confirmed instances in different states and extra details about biosecurity on your flock, go to KDA’s avian influenza webpage at agriculture.ks.gov/AvianInfluenza or name KDA at 833-765-2006.

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