The Arkansas Department of Agriculture confirmed a case of avian influenza in a backyard flock in Arkansas County that had shown increased mortality over the course of several days, marking the third confirmed case of avian influenza in Arkansas this year. Two previous cases were found at a poultry farm in Madison County and a farm in Pope County.

“We will continue to work with poultry growers, the industry and our laboratory partners to protect against the spread of avian influenza,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “Arkansas poultry is safe to eat, and consumers can be confident in the safety of their food.” Poultry Farm Materials

Department of Agriculture Confirms Third Case of Bird Flu in Arkansas

As an airborne respiratory virus, avian influenza can spread easily among poultry flocks through nasal and eye secretions and manure. It can spread between flocks through various means, such as wild birds or contact with infected poultry, equipment and the clothing or shoes of caretakers.

“The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is urging poultry owners to increase biosecurity measures on their operations in response to several reports of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in wild birds along the Mississippi Flyway,” said Patrick Fisk, Livestock and Poultry Division Director.

Avian influenza is not currently a public health concern, as it very rarely spreads to humans and does not affect poultry meat or eggs, which remain safe to eat. To mitigate the risk from contact with diseased birds or their droppings, the ADA recommends the following precautions for the next 30 days, especially in the Delta area:

For more information on avian flu and how to protect your flock, visit the USDA APHIS website, and to report sick animals or unusual deaths in your flock, email info@agriculture.arkansas.gov or call (501) 823-1746.

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