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Nebraska Department of Agriculture confirms a third case of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza in a flock of 500,000 pullets in Dixon County

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  • Nebraska Department of Agriculture confirms a third case of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza in a flock of 500,000 pullets in Dixon County

    May 22, 2015 Contact: Bobbie Kriz-Wickham
    www.nda.nebraska.gov (402) 471-6860
    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
    DEPARTMENT FINDS THIRD 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 preliminary testing shows the presence of a third case of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian
    influenza (HPAI) in Dixon County. The third farm (referred to as Dixon 3) is within a mile of the
    initial farm (referred to as Dixon 1) identified last week and is owned by the same operator.

    Dixon 3 is a flock of 500,000 pullets (young hens). Dixon 1 and Dixon 2, announced last week,
    collectively have 3.5 million laying hens.

    ?These farms are in close proximity to each other so this finding, while unfortunate, is not
    unexpected,? said NDA Director Greg Ibach. ?We continue to receive great support from our
    federal, state and local partners, as well as from the operator, as we work to control the spread of
    the virus.?

    All three sites are under quarantine, a perimeter has been established around each facility, and the
    birds are being depopulated. Under the USDA protocol, NDA is visiting all locations that have
    poultry within a 6.2 mile radius of Dixon 3 to conduct testing. Due to the proximity of Dixon 3 to
    the other facilities, the 6.2 mile radius overlaps significantly.
    The preliminary positive test at Dixon 3 is expected to be confirmed by officials at a federal
    laboratory sometime over the holiday weekend, but Ibach said response teams in Dixon County
    already are working at Dixon 3 to address the HPAI finding.
    ...

    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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