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Arkansas - Avian flu in wild birds 2022-2026

Shiloh

Shiloh

Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2022/nov/23/avian-flu-killing-waterfowl-in-arkansas/

Avian flu killing waterfowl in Arkansas
by Bryan Hendricks | Today at 12:36 p.m.

Avian flu is resulting in sick and dead waterfowl from Poinsett County to Drew County, said Luke Naylor, chief of wildlife management for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

On Tuesday, a hunter contacted the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette to report dead geese and ducks in a field near Clarendon and from another field near the Wabbaseka Scatters. He said there were about 200 dead birds in the Clarendon field.

Naylor said hunters are notoriously inaccurate about estimating anything, but he confirmed that the reports are true. An unusually virulent strain of avian flu is circulating primarily among snow geese throughout the Mississippi River Delta. He asked hunters to share all of their observations, including photos and videos, by sending them in email form to the Game and Fish Commission at agfc.health@agfc.ar.gov.

“That’s the best thing people can do to help us out,” Naylor said. “We need locations, photos, any kind of detail would be super helpful. We won’t be able to get out and collect samples from every report, but we will collect samples to confirm that what we believe is happening is happening.”...
 
Source: https://www.kait8.com/2023/12/13/avian-flu-detected-northeast-arkansas-geese/

Avian flu detected in Northeast Arkansas geese
By K8 Newsdesk
Published: Dec. 13, 2023 at 2:57 PM EST|Updated: 3 hours ago

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - Biologists report finding geese infected with avian flu in several Northeast Arkansas counties, including Craighead.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission said Wednesday that biologists conducting aerial surveys of waterfowl populations found small groups of dead snow geese and Ross’s geese in Arkansas, Craighead, and Lonoke counties.

The geese were collected and tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, AGFC said.

Additional suspected cases have been found in Clay, Poinsett, Faulkner, Prairie, and Pulaski counties.​..
 
​Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds

Last Modified: July 31, 2024
...​
Confirmed HPAI Detections
...
State County Collection Date Date Detected HPAI Strain Bird Species WOAH Classification Sampling Method

Arkansas Lonoke 11/18/2023 07/24/2024 EA H5 Northern shoveler Wild bird Hunter harvest
Arkansas Lonoke 11/18/2023 07/24/2024 EA H5 Mallard Wild bird Hunter harvest
Arkansas Johnson 01/18/2024 01/31/2024 EA H5N1 Northern pintail Wild bird Hunter harvest
...

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...an/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/wild-birds
 
Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds
...
State County Collection Date Date Detected HPAI Strain Bird Species WOAH Classification Sampling Method

Arkansas Lonoke 12/6/2023 8/30/2024 EA/AM H5N1 Goose (unidentified) Wild bird Morbidity/Mortality
Arkansas Lonoke 12/6/2023 8/30/2024 EA/AM H5N1 Goose (unidentified) Wild bird Morbidity/Mortality
Arkansas Arkansas 12/6/2023 8/30/2024 EA/AM H5N1 Ross's goose Wild bird Morbidity/Mortality
Arkansas Arkansas 12/6/2023 8/30/2024 EA/AM H5N1 Snow goose Wild bird Morbidity/Mortality
...​

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...an/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/wild-birds
 
Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds

Last Modified: December 17, 2024
...
State County Collection Date Date Detected HPAI Strain Bird Species WOAH Classification Sampling Method
ArkansasJefferson12/6/202412/11/2024EA H5Snow gooseWild birdMorbidity/Mortality
ArkansasPrairie12/1/202412/10/2024EA H5Snow gooseWild birdMorbidity/Mortality
ArkansasPrairie1/3/20249/26/2024EA H5N1MallardWild birdHunter harvest
ArkansasPrairie1/3/20249/26/2024EA H5N1MallardWild birdHunter harvest
​
...
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...an/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/wild-birds
 
Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds
...
State County Collection Date Date Detected HPAI Strain Bird Species WOAH Classification Sampling Method​
ArkansasWhite12/9/20246/10/2025EA/AM H5N1Snow gooseWild birdMorbidity/Mortality
ArkansasWhite12/9/20246/10/2025EA H5Snow gooseWild birdMorbidity/Mortality
ArkansasPrairie12/9/20246/10/2025EA/AM H5N1Snow gooseWild birdMorbidity/Mortality
ArkansasYell1/15/20251/27/2025EA H5GadwallWild birdHunter harvest
ArkansasLonoke12/31/20241/16/2025EA H5MallardWild birdHunter harvest

​...

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...an/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/wild-birds

​
 
Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds

Last Modified: October 14, 2025
...
State County Collection Date Date Detected HPAI Strain Bird Species WOAH Classification Sampling Method
​
ArkansasMississippi10/4/202510/8/2025EA H5Canada gooseWild birdMorbidity/Mortality
ArkansasLonoke1/26/20257/10/2025EA/AM H5N1Northern pintailWild birdHunter harvest
ArkansasPrairie1/27/20257/10/2025EA H5MallardWild birdHunter harvest
ArkansasJackson12/8/20247/2/2025EA/AM H5N1Bald eagleWild birdMorbidity/Mortality
ArkansasSaline1/13/20256/17/2025EA/AM H5N1American woodcockWild birdMorbidity/Mortality
...

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...an/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/wild-birds
 
Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds

Last Modified: December 09, 2025
...
State County Collection Date Date Detected HPAI Strain Bird Species WOAH Classification Sampling Method
ArkansasPrairie11/22/202512/8/2025EA H5MallardWild birdHunter harvest
ArkansasMississippi11/25/202512/5/2025EA H5Green-winged tealWild birdHunter harvest
ArkansasWashington11/20/202512/3/2025EA H5Black vultureWild birdMorbidity/Mortality
ArkansasWashington11/20/202512/3/2025EA H5Black vultureWild birdMorbidity/Mortality
​...

​https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...an/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/wild-birds
 
Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds

Last Modified: December 16, 2025

State County Collection Date Date Detected HPAI Strain Bird Species WOAH Classification Sampling Method
​
ArkansasPrairie11/28/202512/12/2025EA H5Green-winged tealWild birdHunter harvest
ArkansasWashington12/4/202512/10/2025EA H5Snow gooseWild birdMorbidity/Mortality
ArkansasWashington12/4/202512/10/2025EA H5Snow gooseWild birdMorbidity/Mortality
ArkansasMississippi11/25/202512/9/2025EA H5GadwallWild birdHunter harvest

...
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...an/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/wild-birds
 
Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds

Last Modified: December 30, 2025

State County Collection Date Date Detected HPAI Strain Bird Species WOAH Classification Sampling Method
​
ArkansasPrairie12/10/202512/19/2025EA H5MallardWild birdHunter harvest
ArkansasPrairie12/10/202512/19/2025EA H5MallardWild birdHunter harvest
ArkansasLonoke12/10/202512/19/2025EA H5Snow gooseWild birdMorbidity/Mortality
ArkansasLonoke12/10/202512/19/2025EA H5Snow gooseWild birdMorbidity/Mortality
ArkansasLonoke12/10/202512/19/2025EA H5Snow gooseWild birdMorbidity/Mortality
​...

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...an/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/wild-birds
 
News Release
State Agencies Urge Public to Avoid Contact With Wild Birds Due to Avian Influenza


Posted on February 12, 2026

LITTLE ROCK, AR –Arkansas agriculture and health agencies are urging the public to avoid contact with wild birds, especially birds that appear sick or are found dead, due to detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Arkansas.

Testing has confirmed HPAI in wild birds and in backyard and commercial flocks statewide. Wild birds, particularly migrating waterfowl, are the primary source of virus spread to domestic poultry and other birds.

Agencies warn that handling sick or dead wild birds, or bringing them into homes, barns, or vehicles, can spread the virus and pose risks to people, pets, and domestic flocks.

Key Guidance for the Public
  • Do not touch, move, or attempt to rescue wild birds that appear sick or are found dead.
  • Do not bring wild birds into your home, vehicle, barn, or coop for any reason.
  • Keep your distance from wild birds, especially waterfowl, that appear lethargic or disoriented.
  • Keep pets away from wild birds and carcasses.
  • Avoid areas where large numbers of wild birds are congregating when possible.
  • Hunters and bird watchers should take precautions, including wearing gloves when handling birds or equipment, washing hands thoroughly after contact, and avoiding consumption of birds that appear sick or were found dead.
Who to Call
  • Wild bird activity: Report concentrations of sick or dead wild birds, or other unusual activity, to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at agfc.com/education/avian-influenza/.
  • Backyard or commercial poultry: Report suspected or confirmed poultry illness or deaths to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s sick bird hotline at (501) 823-1746.
Biosecurity for Bird Owners

Poultrygrowers should follow basic biosecurity practices to reduce the risk of HPAI. These include washing hands and footwear before and after contact with birds, restricting visitors to poultry areas, limiting exposure to wild birds, and quarantining new birds for at least two weeks before introducing them to existing flocks.

Human Health Precautions

Although human cases of HPAI are rare, people exposed to infected birds or contaminated environments should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water and wear appropriate protective equipment if handling birds is necessary. Anyone who develops flu-like symptoms after exposure to birds or other animals potentially infected with HPAI should contact the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) Zoonotic Disease Section at (501) 280-4136 or adh.zoonotic@arkansas.gov. ADH can coordinate appropriate testing and, if indicated, post-exposure antiviral treatment. To help prevent unnecessary exposure to others and ensure proper evaluation, individuals are encouraged to contact ADH before seeking in-person medical care.
​
https://agriculture.arkansas.gov/ne...ntact-with-wild-birds-due-to-avian-influenza/

​
 
Duck and cover: Arkansas urges keeping distance from waterfowl, other wild birds amid 9 cases of avian flu

9 minutes ago by Stevon Gamble​
Look, but don't touch.

That's the message when it comes to wild birds in the Natural State. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture issued the warning in response to cases of bird flu in the state.

"Because highly pathogenic avian influenza has been confirmed in multiple locations and in both commercial and backyard flocks, it meets the definition of an outbreak under animal health guidelines,"state Ag Department communications director Ayden Duncan said to the Gazette.

Nine cases of the virus have been detected in Arkansas since October 2025.
​
"These premises (two commercial operations, seven backyard flocks) were confirmed in Arkansas, Cleveland, Cross, Drew, Faulkner, Mississippi, Prairie and White counties. There have been no confirmed cases in Miller, Hempstead, Little River, Howard or Sevier counties," Duncan said.

The bird flu virus most recently was detected in late January in Arkansas County, according to Duncan. Arkansas County is about 200 miles northeast of Miller County.
​
-snip-


BIRD FLU IN HUMANS

The time from when a person is exposed and infected with avian influenza A viruses to when respiratory symptoms begin is about three days but can range from about two to seven days, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Mild symptoms

-- eye redness and irritation (conjunctivitis)

-- mild fever (temperature of 100 degrees or greater) or feeling feverish (Note: Fever may not always be present.)

-- cough

-- sore throat

-- runny or stuffy nose

-- muscle or body aches

-- headaches

--fatigue

-- Less common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.

Signs and symptoms of moderate to severe disease

-- high fever or other symptoms listed above that limit or prevent usual activity

-- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

-- altered consciousness

-- seizures

Complications

-- pneumonia,

-- respiratory failure,

-- acute respiratory distress syndrome,

-- acute kidney injury

-- multi-organ failure (respiratory and kidney failure),

-- sepsis, septic shock

-- inflammation of the brain (meningoencephalitis)

https://www.texarkanagazette.com/ne...,eye redness and irritation (conjunctivitis)​
 
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