LITTLE ROCK — As the southern migration of birds reaches its annual peak over the Southern Plains, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture (UADA) is asking poultry keepers, especially hobbyists, prepare to double down on biosecurity measures.
Unlike most commercial poultry operations, backyard flocks are often continuously exposed to outdoor conditions, creating opportunities to interface with migrating birds and their droppings.
On Oct. 10, Dustan Clark, extension veterinarian for the UADA and associate director of the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, announced the H5N1 strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, commonly known as “bird flu,” was detected in a backyard flock in Mississippi County. These were the first confirmed cases in the state since January, when two commercial flocks in Cleveland County and one backyard flock in Sharp County confirmed the strain.
Clark will host an Oct. 27 webinar discussing H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and other poultry disease risks in small flocks. Follow this link to register: https://uada.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IpnhRJ2jTeiBO1ja_hBDDw#/registration