May 14, 2015 Contact: Christin Kamm
www.nda.nebraska.gov (402) 471-6856
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DEPARTMENT CONFIRMS SECOND CASE OF HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA
Risk to people from HPAI H5 infections considered to be low
LINCOLN - The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) in conjunction with the United States
Department of Agricultures (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed
the presence of a second case of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial layer
flock in Dixon County. The second farm (referred to as Dixon 2) is in close proximity to the initial farm
(referred to as Dixon 1) identified Tuesday. Both farms are owned and operated by the same producer.
Dixon 2 is a flock of 1.8 million chickens.
Having a second farm in Nebraska confirmed to have HPAI is unfortunate but not completely unexpected.
This follows the pattern weve seen in other states when it comes to the spread of the virus, said NDA
Director Ibach. NDA will continue to use all the resources at our disposal, in coordination with our federal
and state agency counterparts, to manage a quick and effective response.
According to Ibach, both farms are under quarantine, and the birds on both properties will be
depopulated. NDA is working with Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality to ensure proper
disposal of dead birds. A perimeter has been established around Dixon 2, and as is the USDA protocol,
NDA will be visiting all locations within a 6.2 mile radius of the farm that have poultry to conduct testing.
Due to the proximity of Dixon 2 to Dixon 1, the 6.2 mile radius overlaps significantly.
Gov. Pete Ricketts has issued a state emergency declaration to provide NDA and other state agencies with
appropriate resources to address the HPAI situation.
We continue to receive excellent support and assistance from federal, state and local officials. This
cooperation is essential to our response efforts, Ibach said.
The Centers for Disease Control considers the risk to people from HPAI H5 infections to be low. Proper
handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees kills the virus. Eggs
from both facilities are processed and go through pasteurization, eliminating product consumption risk.
Both farms are egg laying facilities and therefore the chickens are not consumed.
Ibach is asking Nebraska poultry producers, large and small, to follow strict biosecurity measures on their
farms and to monitor their flocks for symptoms of the virus and notify NDA immediately if they suspect any
problems. All bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, should prevent contact
between their birds and wild birds, and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to state/federal officials,
either through NDA by calling 877-800-4080 or through USDAs toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.
As part of the existing USDA avian influenza response plans, federal and state partners as well as industry
are following these five basic steps: 1) Quarantine restricting movement of poultry and poultry-moving
equipment into and out of the control area; 2) Eradicate humanely euthanizing the affected flock(s); 3)
Monitor region testing wild and domestic birds in a broad area around the quarantine area; 4) Disinfect
kills the virus in the affected flock locations; and 5) Test confirming that the poultry farm is AI virus-free.
Additional information on HPAI can be found online at www.nda.nebraska.gov. Information is available for
producers, media and the general public.
http://www.nda.nebraska.gov/press/ma...econd_hpai.pdf
www.nda.nebraska.gov (402) 471-6856
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
DEPARTMENT CONFIRMS SECOND CASE OF HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA
Risk to people from HPAI H5 infections considered to be low
LINCOLN - The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) in conjunction with the United States
Department of Agricultures (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed
the presence of a second case of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial layer
flock in Dixon County. The second farm (referred to as Dixon 2) is in close proximity to the initial farm
(referred to as Dixon 1) identified Tuesday. Both farms are owned and operated by the same producer.
Dixon 2 is a flock of 1.8 million chickens.
Having a second farm in Nebraska confirmed to have HPAI is unfortunate but not completely unexpected.
This follows the pattern weve seen in other states when it comes to the spread of the virus, said NDA
Director Ibach. NDA will continue to use all the resources at our disposal, in coordination with our federal
and state agency counterparts, to manage a quick and effective response.
According to Ibach, both farms are under quarantine, and the birds on both properties will be
depopulated. NDA is working with Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality to ensure proper
disposal of dead birds. A perimeter has been established around Dixon 2, and as is the USDA protocol,
NDA will be visiting all locations within a 6.2 mile radius of the farm that have poultry to conduct testing.
Due to the proximity of Dixon 2 to Dixon 1, the 6.2 mile radius overlaps significantly.
Gov. Pete Ricketts has issued a state emergency declaration to provide NDA and other state agencies with
appropriate resources to address the HPAI situation.
We continue to receive excellent support and assistance from federal, state and local officials. This
cooperation is essential to our response efforts, Ibach said.
The Centers for Disease Control considers the risk to people from HPAI H5 infections to be low. Proper
handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees kills the virus. Eggs
from both facilities are processed and go through pasteurization, eliminating product consumption risk.
Both farms are egg laying facilities and therefore the chickens are not consumed.
Ibach is asking Nebraska poultry producers, large and small, to follow strict biosecurity measures on their
farms and to monitor their flocks for symptoms of the virus and notify NDA immediately if they suspect any
problems. All bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, should prevent contact
between their birds and wild birds, and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to state/federal officials,
either through NDA by calling 877-800-4080 or through USDAs toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.
As part of the existing USDA avian influenza response plans, federal and state partners as well as industry
are following these five basic steps: 1) Quarantine restricting movement of poultry and poultry-moving
equipment into and out of the control area; 2) Eradicate humanely euthanizing the affected flock(s); 3)
Monitor region testing wild and domestic birds in a broad area around the quarantine area; 4) Disinfect
kills the virus in the affected flock locations; and 5) Test confirming that the poultry farm is AI virus-free.
Additional information on HPAI can be found online at www.nda.nebraska.gov. Information is available for
producers, media and the general public.
http://www.nda.nebraska.gov/press/ma...econd_hpai.pdf