BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Agriculture has received confirmation of the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard chicken flock in Williams County from North Dakota State University.
The State Board of Animal Health and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture are working closely with USDA-APHIS and local officials in the response. The premises has been quarantined and the flock has been depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease.
The detection triggers the suspension of commingling poultry/bird events both in Williams County and birds from Williams County. If no new cases emerge in 30 days, the suspension will be automatically lifted for that county.
There is no immediate public health concern due to this finding. The risk to people from HPAI is low despite the disease often being fatal for birds. No human infections with these viruses have been detected in the U.S.
“Remember to restrict access to property, keep wild birds away from other birds and practice enhanced biosecurity,” State Veterinarian Dr. Ethan Andress said. “Birds should be kept indoors, especially during the spring and fall migration.”
“While the incidence of avian influenza has been on the decline in wild birds, these birds continue to be a source of disease to our domestic birds,” Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said.
Avian influenza exists in many wild birds and can be transmitted by contact with infected birds or ingestion of infected food and water.
More information about avian influenza is available at www.ndda.nd.gov/avian-influenza and from the USDA-APHIS at www.aphis.usda.gov. Any future detections of HPAI in North Dakota will be posted on www.ndda.nd.gov/hpai.