Bird flu discovered in second Butler County farm

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Another large-scale case of bird flu has been discovered in Butler County.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture and the USDA announced a third confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza at an in-state farm and the second one in Butler County.

The newest case, which was located in a flock of 400,000 broilers, is located within the 6.2-mile control zone that NDA established around the farm announced earlier this week in Butler County.

The first farm in Nebraska to report a case of HPAI was a backyard flock in Merrick County that was announced on March 16, 2022.

“The locations of the Butler County farms are in close proximity to each other. This further emphasizes continued diligence of biosecurity and timely response to control this highly contagious disease,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman.

The second Butler County location is under NDA quarantine and the birds will be humanely depopulated and disposed of in an approved manner, Wellman said. Additionally, NDA will be establishing a 6.2-mile control zone around the infected premises. Premises with poultry that fall within that control zone will not be allowed to move birds or poultry products on or off their premises without permits from NDA.

HPAI is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily among birds through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure. The virus can be spread in various ways from flock to flock, including by wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers. Wild birds can carry the virus without becoming sick, while domesticated birds can become very sick.