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USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Backyard Flock in Kansas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial backyard mixed species flock (poultry) in Franklin County, Kansas. Samples from the flock were tested at the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and confirmed at the USDA–APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa. The Kansas Department of Agriculture is working closely with USDA–APHIS on a joint incident response. KDA officials quarantined the affected premises, and birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease.
Anyone involved with poultry production from the small backyard chicken owner to the large commercial producer should review their biosecurity activities to assure the health of their birds. Find guidance on biosecurity on the KDA Division of Animal Health webpage at agriculture.ks.gov/AvianInfluenza. More biosecurity resources as well as updates on the current HPAI status nationwide can be found on the APHIS website at:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-diseaseinformation/avian/avian-influenza/2022-hpai.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a highly contagious viral disease that can infect chickens, turkeys and other birds and can cause severe illness and/or sudden death in infected birds. Attentively monitor your birds for symptoms of HPAI which include:coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and other signs of respiratory distress; lack of energy
and appetite; decreased water consumption; decreased egg production and/or soft-shelled,misshapen eggs; incoordination; and diarrhea. Avian influenza can also cause sudden death
in birds even if they aren’t showing other symptoms.
For more information:
Heather Lansdowne
785-564-6706
AgMedia@ks.gov
If these symptoms are observed in your birds, immediately contact your veterinarian. If you don’t have a regular veterinarian, contact KDA’s Division of Animal Health office toll-free at 833-765-2006.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections do not present an immediate public health concern. No human cases of these avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States. Birds and eggs from the
infected flock will not enter the food system. As a reminder, the proper handling and cooking of all poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F is recommended as a general food safety precaution.
As part of existing avian influenza response plans, federal and state partners are working jointly on additional surveillance and testing in areas around the affected flocks. The United States has the strongest AI surveillance program in the world, and USDA is working with
its partners to actively look for the disease in commercial poultry operations, live bird markets and in migratory wild bird populations.
For more information about HPAI, including current status of the confirmed cases in other states as well as more information about biosecurity for your flock, go to KDA’s avian influenza webpage at agriculture.ks.gov/AvianInfluenza or call KDA at 833-765-2006.
Career Celebration for Diane Nielson
Her careful identification of local issues and passion for educating county residents has reached a wide variety of audiences during her career as Atchison County Extension Agent. Her personal interest in such topics of nutrition, food safety, health and well-being, early childhood development, aging and leadership development has caused her to bring research and evidence-based solutions to Atchison county. Nielson has brought innovative teaching methods to individuals and families to offer self-improving ideas to improve their quality of lives. Coaching 4-Hers to develop leadership, citizenship and life skills that help prepare local youth for school, careers and life. 4-H camp and teaching youth to develop leadership, community service and life skills have been career highlights. Nielson has been an advocate for children, families and vulnerable citizens and has led educational programs that have been about creating healthy communities and has reached thousands of Atchison Countians yearly. While actively involved in the Atchison community with local extension program efforts; Neilson’s program successes have been adopted on regional, state, and national levels. Likewise her career accomplishments include president of both Kansas Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and the Kansas Extension Agents Association. There were many Family and Consumer Science activities and programs Diane was instrumental to share locally. If you would like to share a greeting, a card with a memory to be shared can be mailed to the Atchison Co Extension Office, PO Box 109, Effingham, KS 66023. Additionally, if you would like to make a donation; that will be collected and given for for Dolly Parton literacy. Mail donations separately to the Atchison County Extension. If you have questions, do call the Extension Office 913-833-5450.
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Relationships Matter
Developmental relationships are the roots of young people’s success. They are essential for all young people, in every community. When young people experience these relationships in their families, schools, programs, and communities, they are more likely to be resilient in the face of challenges and grow up to thrive.
We can have great relationships. Some areas are stronger (and come easier) than others. And relationships can become strained when they are disrupted or in times of stress or crisis . . . Like in a global health pandemic.
Whether you’re someone who works with young people and now connects only through technology, a parent, or an essential worker trying to care for children and keep your job, you’ve likely experienced significant disruptions and strains in your relationships with young people during this challenging year.
So perhaps it’s time for a relationships check-up. Complete this quick Relationships Check to learn where your relationships with important young people are particularly strong and where they can grow. You’ll receive actionable approaches and activities to strengthen relationships with young people. Consider joining the thousands who have taken the quiz.
A note about this tool: The Relationships Check is a tool for self-reflection and conversation among peers and within families. It was not designed for—and has not been tested for—formal assessment, testing, or diagnostic purposes.
