The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is reminding poultry growers and industry partners to remain alert for signs of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and to follow biosecurity measures to protect flocks as detections continue across the United States.
Last month, the Department confirmed the first case of HPAI in a backyard flock in Mississippi County. While this is currently the only confirmed detection, cases in neighboring states highlight the ongoing importance of prevention and monitoring.
HPAI is a highly contagious virus that affects both domestic and wild birds. It can cause sudden death or severe illness in poultry and lead to major economic losses for the state’s poultry industry, which provided $6.7 billion in direct agricultural cash receipts in 2024. The virus spreads easily through contact with infected birds, contaminated equipment, or materials, and even a single detection can disrupt trade and local food supply chains.
The Department reminds poultry growers to:
- Wash hands and footwear before and after contact with birds.
- Restrict visitors to poultry areas.
- Limit exposure to wild birds.
- Quarantine new birds for at least two weeks before introducing them to existing flocks.
- Report sick or dead birds immediately to the Department by calling the sick bird hotline: (501) 823-1746.
Source : arkansas.gov