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Avian Influenza confirmed in southern Missouri

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been confirmed in a chicken layer flock in southern Missouri. State veterinarian Steve Strubberg says 10,000 hens in a pair of barns in Webster County were depopulated.

“There’s a control area we’ll monitor closely with some required testing and we’ll be watching movements on and off poultry farms.”

Strubberg says wild bird populations have been sticking around longer than normal due warmer weather. Biosecurity helps keep the virus from spreading.

“Don’t expose poultry to wild birds or transport your poultry from one flock to another without a bit of a quarantine period. If you bring new stock in, keep them isolated for two to four weeks before you add them to your flock,” says Strubberg. “If you notice any sign of illness like decreased feed consumption or higher than normal death loss, contact your local veterinarian or the Missouri Department of Agriculture.”

This is the second time the virus has been confirmed in Missouri this fall. A small backyard flock in Jackson County tested positive in October. There’s been 11 confirmed cases in Missouri this year.