Arkansas Farmers Brace For Impacts Of Avian Influenza

A flu that is nearly 100% lethal to poultry is spreading across the U.S. Thirty-four states have had confirmed cases of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and poultry farmers in Arkansas should continue taking precautions.

The most recent outbreaks were in backyard cases in Oregon and Washington state. Oklahoma was added to the list of states after the disease was confirmed in a commercial breeder flock in Sequoyah County on May 1, the USDA reported.

Suspected cases are tested in the state in which they were found with samples also sent to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS, National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, for confirmation. APHIS is part of USDA. APHIS has maps and graphs detailing the locations and numbers of flocks affected.

As of May 11, no instances of avian influenza have been detected in Arkansas.

Highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza, known as H5 and H7, can kill 90-100% of poultry quickly, often within 48 hours of infection. It has been found in 34 states, affecting 37.47 million birds including 114 backyard flocks and 171 commercial flocks, said Dustan Clark, extension veterinarian for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Maintaining strong biosecurity measures is critical for both commercial and backyard poultry flocks, Clark said.

Poultry is big business in Arkansas, which produced $3.9 billion in broilers and $443 million in turkeys in 2021, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

“It is important for poultry growers to be certain they follow their company biosecurity plans with avian influenza being confirmed in Oklahoma,” Clark said. “Small flock owners also need to be vigilant in practicing biosecurity. They can find biosecurity recommendations for small flocks on the Cooperative Extension Service website.”

Clark will also host two online seminars for backyard flock owners to enable them to be up to date with their biosecurity protocols. “Backyard Poultry: What you should know to protect yourself and your birds” will be offered on May 18 and May 24.