The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) on February 2 confirmed the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been found in Nevada.
The infected bird was a female mallard found in Lincoln County on January 23, 2015. The bird was then taken to the California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory, where it tested positive for H5N8 avian influenza.
The confirmation of avian influenza there makes Nevada the sixth state to have at least one confirmed case of avian influenza since it was first confirmed in Washington state in December 2014. Other states with confirmed cases include Oregon, California, Idaho and Utah.
NDA will be working with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to monitor the situation.
“So far this is an isolated case,” said Nevada State Veterinarian Michael Greenlee. “If commercial poultry producers or bird owners are concerned about the possible spread to domestic fowl, they need to take the proper steps to limit exposure. Prevent contact between their birds and wild birds.”
While avian influenza has been confirmed in six states, it has only impacted one farm in the commercial poultry industry. The discovery of H5N8 avian influenza on was confirmed at a Foster Farms turkey operation in Stanislaus County, California, on January 24.
