WattAgNet: Avian influenza hits Nebraska layer flock of 1.7 million

H5N2 avian influenza has been confirmed in a commercial layer flock in Nebraska, bringing the total number of states with confirmed avian influenza cases to 20.

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced on May 12 that samples from a layer flock in Dixon County, Nebraska, tested positive for highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial layer flock in Dixon County, Nebraska. There were 1.7 million chickens in the flock.

The tests were conducted at the South Dakota State University Animal Disease Research & Diagnostic Laboratory and the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa confirmed the findings.

APHIS is working closely with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture on a joint incident response. State officials quarantined the premises and birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease.

With the discovery of avian influenza in Nebraska, two new states have been added this week to the list of U.S. states with confirmed avian influenza cases. H5N8 avian influenza was confirmed in a backyard flock in Indiana on May 11.

To track confirmed cases of the North American avian influenza outbreak, see WATTAgNet's avian influenza tracker map and bookmark the avian influenza update page for news about and analysis of avian influenza.