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Updated: 4:05 PM CST January 24, 2025
MISSOURI, USA — Missouri officials have started a crackdown on auctions, shows, and swap meets involving poultry and waterfowl as bird flu continues to spread around the state.
Officials with the Missouri Department of Agriculture announced the activities were suspended on Friday, specifically in areas with confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Federal officials have confirmed commercial poultry bird flu cases in Newton, Jasper, McDonald, and Lawrence counties. The department also said further suspensions will be issued if additional cases are confirmed.
The department stopped short of banning the sale and exhibition of poultry and waterfowl in the affected counties, saying strict biosecurity measures already in place should prevent virus spread.
“The Missouri Department of Agriculture is working hard to contain and eliminate the HPAI virus,” Missouri State Veterinarian Steve Strubberg said in an emailed statement. “Restricting comingling of poultry is crucial to stopping the spread of avian influenza in Missouri. As always, we encourage all poultry producers to tighten biosecurity protocols.”
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Officials said poultry producers should report sick birds or unusual increases in deaths to Strubberg's office at (573) 751-3377. They also recommended preventing contact between their birds and wild birds.
MISSOURI, USA — Missouri officials have started a crackdown on auctions, shows, and swap meets involving poultry and waterfowl as bird flu continues to spread around the state.
Officials with the Missouri Department of Agriculture announced the activities were suspended on Friday, specifically in areas with confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Federal officials have confirmed commercial poultry bird flu cases in Newton, Jasper, McDonald, and Lawrence counties. The department also said further suspensions will be issued if additional cases are confirmed.
The department stopped short of banning the sale and exhibition of poultry and waterfowl in the affected counties, saying strict biosecurity measures already in place should prevent virus spread.
“The Missouri Department of Agriculture is working hard to contain and eliminate the HPAI virus,” Missouri State Veterinarian Steve Strubberg said in an emailed statement. “Restricting comingling of poultry is crucial to stopping the spread of avian influenza in Missouri. As always, we encourage all poultry producers to tighten biosecurity protocols.”
-snip-
Officials said poultry producers should report sick birds or unusual increases in deaths to Strubberg's office at (573) 751-3377. They also recommended preventing contact between their birds and wild birds.
