Regardless of the size of their operations, poultry owners are asked to protect their flocks from avian influenza.
The Kansas Department of Agriculture says the so-called “bird flu” can cause sudden severe illness or death in chickens, turkeys and other birds. The disease hasn’t been detected in Kansas at this time, but it has been identified in both commercial operations and backyard flocks in neighboring states.
The department encourages poultry owners to take “biosecurity measures” including
*Preventing contact with wild birds, especially waterfowl
*Restricting unauthorized access by people and vehicles
*Covering and enclosing outdoor feeding areas
*Covering stored feed
*Cleaning and disinfecting vehicle tires or equipment that has been at other farms or locations with poultry or wild birds
*Wearing clean clothing, including boots and shoes, when in contact with your flock
*Isolating new birds
Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, decreased water consumption, decreased egg production, misshapen eggs, lack of coordination and diarrhea.
If you see symptoms, call your veterinarian or the Kansas Department of Animal Health at 785-564-6601 if you don’t have a vet.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the recent cases of bird flu do not present an immediate public health risk for humans.
More information is online at www.agriculture.ks.gov/avianinfluenza.
