State and federal agriculture officials say highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been identified in two egg layer facilities in Kansas.
The facilities are in McPherson and Rice counties. There have been five cases of avian influenza identified in the state this fall and 21 cases identified since the start of the outbreak last year. Positive cases were identified in backyard flocks in both Pottawatomie and Shawnee counties earlier this month.
The Kansas Department of Agriculture says it’s working closely with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on a joint incident response at the affected premises. Guidance on biosecurity can be found on the KDA Division of Animal Health webpage at agriculture.ks.gov/
Both locations have been placed under quarantine and the birds will be humanely depopulated and disposed of, in an approved manner to prevent further spread, according to a statement from KDA. State officials also say a roughly 12 mile surveillance zone will be established around the infected premises.
