The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) and the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard flock in Dawson County. This brings the total number of affected flocks in the state to 4, impacting approximately 219 birds in 2025.
State Veterinarian Dr. Roger Dudley advises poultry producers to practice good biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of HPAI, including minimizing exposure to wild birds and practicing proper hygiene when handling poultry.
HPAI is a highly contagious virus that can spread easily among birds through various means. The clinical signs in birds include decreased water consumption, lack of energy and appetite, decreased egg production, nasal discharge, coughing, and sudden death.
Poultry producers can access resources and report suspected cases of HPAI to the NDA or USDA. More information is available on the NDA website and the USDA’s livestock and poultry disease page.
For further information and assistance, poultry producers are encouraged to visit nda.nebraska.gov/animal/avian/ and https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza. If any poultry exhibit signs of HPAI or unusual death, they should be reported to the NDA at 402-471-2351 or the USDA at 866-536-7593.
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