MANHATTAN, Kan. – In response to the confirmed positive case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Kansas, the Kansas Department of Agriculture has completed surveys in Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties and will now begin testing identified flocks.

KDA officials have been hard at work to identify backyard flocks within the quarantine zone in Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties in an effort to quickly and decisively eradicate the outbreak of HPAI.

“Our teams have done a great job going door to door identifying backyard flocks in the quarantined zone,” said Dr. Justin Smith, Kansas Deputy Animal Health Commissioner. “We appreciate the citizens that self-reported their flocks. It has allowed us to effectively and quickly identify the number of flocks in the area and now we can begin testing."

Now that surveys have been completed, KDA officials will begin testing identified flocks. Officials will call poultry owners before coming to test flocks if a phone number has been provided. Those performing tests on poultry will be dressed in full personal protective equipment to ensure proper biosecurity standards are met and eliminate the concern for cross contamination between farms. The test is completely non-invasive and will cause little stress or harm to poultry.

Avian Influenza is a contagious, rapidly spreading viral disease affecting birds. Outbreaks of a strain of avian influenza have occurred in Missouri, Arkansas, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington and Idaho and are not considered to be a threat to public health or the food supply. 

Avian Influenza exists naturally in many wild birds and can be transmitted by contact with infected animals or ingestion of infected food or water.  The Center for Disease Control considers the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low.  No human infections with the virus have been detected at this time.

Kansas Animal Health Commissioner Dr. Bill Brown encourages all poultry owners to closely monitor their flocks and contact their local veterinarian immediately if birds appear infected. For a listing of symptoms of HPAI, visit www.agriculture.ks.gov/avianinfluenza.com.  

Farmers and ranchers can protect their flocks with good biosecurity practices including:

• Isolate new animals
• Move all livestock away from boundaries of your property
• Clean clothing and boots should be worn when contact with livestock is expected.
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect equipment and animal areas
• Monitor your animals for signs of the disease
• Abide by all movement restrictions

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