Republic Co., Kan. — Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has now been confirmed in a small non-commercial backyard poultry flock in Republic County.

On Tuesday evening, April 27, the Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health received notification that samples taken from birds in a backyard flock were confirmed for HPAI. KDA is working with the property owners to depopulate the birds on the premises to prevent the spread of the disease.

KDA reminds area residents who own poultry that 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.

You can protect your flock by taking action to limit the risk of exposure, like preventing opportunities for them to mingle with wild migratory waterfowl and by taking steps to avoid carrying the disease home to your flock on your footwear, clothing or vehicle tires. Find more information about how to prevent HPAI at www.agriculture.ks.gov/AvianInfluenza.

Symptoms include coughing, nasal discharge, lack of energy and appetite, and sudden death. If you notice symptoms of HPAI in your birds please contact KDA Division of Animal Health’s toll-free line at 833-765-2006 or by email at KDA.HPAI@ks.gov.