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Nebraska Department of Agriculture confirms a second case of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial layer flock in Dixon County

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  • Nebraska Department of Agriculture confirms a second case of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial layer flock in Dixon County

    May 14, 2015 Contact: Christin Kamm
    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 Agriculture’s (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 we’ve 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 USDA’s 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

    The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) encourages and promotes the interests of agriculture through advocacy and education. In addition, NDA regulates the agriculture industry to ensure the health and safety of all Nebraskans.
    "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
    -Nelson Mandela
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