Bird flu found in Utah commercial poultry flock

CACHE COUNTY, Utah ( ABC4 ) — Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, has been found in a commercial poultry flock in Cache County, according to the Utah Dept. of Agriculture and Food (UDAF).

“Our State Veterinarian’s office was notified of symptomatic birds in Cache County and our team
was immediately dispatched to assess the situation,” said Utah State Veterinarian Dr. Daniel
Christensen. “Proper steps are being taken to prevent further spread of the disease.”

The area where the birds were found has been quarantined, according to the UDAF, and the infected birds will be “depopulated” to prevent further spread of the disease.

UDAF officials are working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) in their response to the situation. There will reportedly be additional surveillance and testing in areas around the affected flock.

“Poultry owners should vigilantly watch their flocks for symptoms of HPAI, which include high death loss among flocks, nasal discharge, decreased appetite or water consumption, and lack of coordination in birds,” a press release from the UDAF states. “If birds are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact the State Veterinarian’s office immediately at statevet@utah.gov.”

The recent HPAI detections do not pose an immediate public health concern, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Officials are reminding the public that “proper handling and cooking of all poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F is recommended as a general food safety precaution.”

Anyone involved in poultry production of any size should review the health of their birds and implement the proper precautions to ensure their safety, according to the UDAF. Information about biosecurity, including videos, checklists, and a toolkit, is available on the UDAF website .

No further information is available at this time.

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