The Nebraska Department of Agriculture and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirms a third case of avian influenza in Nebraska.
A flock of 400,000 broilers is located in Butler County. This is 6.2 miles from from a producer that reported and outbreak of 370,000 chickens earlier this week. The first case was detected in a backyard flock in Merrick County on March 16th.
“The locations of the Butler County farms are in close proximity to each other. This further emphasizes continued diligence of biosecurity and timely response to control this highly contagious disease,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman.
The second Butler County location is under quarantine and all the birds will be destroyed. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture will also set up a 6.2 mile control zone around the infected premises. Poultry operations within that area will not be allowed to move birds or poultry products on or off their operation without a permit from the Department of Agriculture.
Producers should know the signs of avian influenza and notify the Nebraska Department of Agriculture immediately if they have sick or dying birds. Producers are also asked to restrict access to property and poultry. They are also asked to do other preventions that include disinfecting clothing, shoes, and washing hands before and after contact with your flock. Do not share tools, equipment, or other supplies with other poultry or livestock owners. All poultry owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds by keeping them away from food and water sources.
Report sick birds immediately to NDA at 402-471-2351 or to USDA at 866-536-7593.