The US had its first confirmed case of extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a industrial poultry flock in almost two weeks.

The most recent an infection, based on the USA Division of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Well being Inspection Service (APHIS), the presence of HPAI was confirmed in a industrial broiler flock in Gage County, Nebraska, on February 6. This flock included 102,000 chickens.

Previous to this, the final case of HPAI in a U.S. industrial flock was confirmed on January 25, with that case involving a flock of 13,100 industrial turkeys in Daviess County, Indiana.

To date in 2024, the next states have had industrial operations affected by HPAI: Nebraska, Indiana, South Dakota, Kansas, California and Nebraska.

That is the primary confirmed case of HPAI in Nebraska in 2024, and the state was in a position to keep away from any industrial flock infections in 2023. Though there have been 5 yard flock infections in 2023 in Nebraska, yard flock infections shouldn’t have an influence on international poultry commerce, based on World Organisation for Animal Well being (WOAH) guidelines.

Nebraska, nonetheless, was not as lucky in 2022. That 12 months, the state misplaced three industrial layer flocks, two industrial broiler flocks and two industrial upland gamebird flocks. The overall hen losses then amounted to extra than 6.7 million birds. Solely Iowa misplaced extra birds that 12 months, having misplaced about 15.9 million birds. Nebraska’s 2022 circumstances had been confirmed between April 11 and November 25.

“Whereas we’re upset, we aren’t shocked, to see one other case, as there have been a number of confirmed HPAI circumstances in surrounding states,” mentioned Nebraska State Veterinarian Dr. Roger Dudley. “Poultry producers must proceed to be vigilant in defending their flocks. It’s necessary for producers to know the indicators and signs of HPAI and to proceed to apply good biosecurity measures to assist stop the unfold of this illness into their flocks.”

View our persevering with protection of the international avian influenza scenario. 

To study extra about HPAI circumstances in industrial poultry flocks in the USA, Mexico and Canada, see an interactive map on WATTPoultry.com.