WASHINGTON — On Oct. 7, Arkansas reported its first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). 

The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of HPAI in a commercial broiler flock in Madison County, Ark. Samples from the flock were tested and confirmed at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa.

In response, state officials have quarantined the affected areas, and the property’s birds will be depopulated. As part of existing response plans, federal and state partners are working together on additional surveillance and testing in areas around the affected flocks. 

“We have taken immediate action to contain this disease and will continue to work with poultry growers, the industry and our laboratory partners to protect against its spread,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “Arkansas poultry is safe to eat, and consumers can be confident in the safety of their food.”

Hawaii, Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina and West Virginia are the only states without any HPAI outbreaks to date.

Arkansas’ outbreak increases the total number of commercial and backyard birds impacted to 47.27 million, with 521 confirmed flocks, according to the USDA.

Stay up-to-date on confirmed detections of HPAI.

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