The Kansas Department of Agriculture is warning poultry producers and others about a resurgence of avian influenza.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza, also listed as HPAI, has been an intermittent concern the last three years. The virus is normally spread by wild waterfowl, and the Department of Agriculture says there has been a wave of new cases over the last few weeks, including a non-commercial backyard operation at an undisclosed location in Wabaunsee County. Birds are currently under quarantine.
This particular outbreak has included higher mortality rates across a wider range of bird species than past outbreaks. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, lack of energy or appetite, decreased water consumption, decreased egg production, soft-shelled or misshapen eggs, lack of coordination and diarrhea.
The Department of Agriculture is urging anybody involved in poultry production, backyards to large commercial producers, to review biosecurity measures and make sure their birds are healthy, including making sure poultry are in enclosures where wild birds can’t enter or interact, staying away from sick or dead wild birds and cleaning boots and clothes after walking in areas where wild birds are common.
More information is available at agriculture.ks.gov/AvianInfluenza. Residents with questions or who notice symptoms in their flocks can also call their veterinarians or the Department of Agriculture at 833-765-2006.
