Kansas poultry owners urged to review safety measures as bird flu spreads

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – The Kansas Department of Agriculture is reminding poultry owners of the risk of HPAI, or ‘highly pathogenic avian influenza’. This illness is also known as the bird flu. KDA reports that over the last three years, the ongoing outbreak of this flu has threatened poultry flocks in Kansas. It says the

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – The Kansas Department of Agriculture is reminding poultry owners of the risk of HPAI, or ‘highly pathogenic avian influenza’. This illness is also known as the bird flu.

KDA reports that over the last three years, the ongoing outbreak of this flu has threatened poultry flocks in Kansas. It says the illness is mostly spread by wild waterfowl, like ducks and geese, which are migrating through Kansas.

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The KDA also says that in December, several backyard flocks in Kansas have had confirmed cases of the illness.

As a reminder, KDA says that anyone who owns poultry in any capacity should review their biosecurity activities to make sure their birds are healthy and safe. It says that guidance on biosecurity measures can be found at this website.

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It also shared that the best way to protect poultry is eliminating their contact with any wild birds and wild habitats, including cleaning your shoes and clothing after walking near where wild birds can be found.

KDA says HPAI is not a food safety concern, but that it can cause severe illness or death in birds that are infected.

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