'Bird Flu' Confirmed at Local Poultry Farm

LITTLE ROCK, AR - The Arkansas Department of Agriculture (ADA) stated in a news release issued on Friday, Dec. 19, that a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly called "bird flu," had been confirmed on a commercial poultry farm in Cleveland County.Following an investigation by the ADA in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, testing confirmed the presence of HPAI in poultry from the affected farm. State officials did not release the location of the farm.This is the third poultry farm in Cleveland County to have a confirmed presence of HPAI this year after two cases were confirmed at separate commercial poultry operations in January.State officials said the farm is under quarantine, and the ADA reported it was working to implement response and containment measures in accordance with established protocols. Thosse actions include sampling and quarantining nearby poultry flocks."We have taken immediate action to contain this disease and will continue to work with poultry growers, the industry, and our laboratory partners to pro-tect against its spread," said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. "The risk to Arkansans remains low, and poultry and eggs that are properly handled and fully cooked are safe to consume." Testing this year has also confirmed cases of HPAI in several backyard flocks and wild birds in Arkansas. On Tuesday, Dec. 23, the state issued another news release announcing that the avian flu had been found in a commercial poultry flock in neighboring Drew County as well as a backyard flock in White County.The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) said there were 71 confirmed infected flocks nationwide in the last 30 days. Twenty-four were commercial and 47 were backyard flocks. That count did not include the latest cases from Drew or White counties.HPAI is a highly contagious virus that affects both domestic and wild birds. It can cause sudden death or sev...