Central ND News

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard chicken flock located in Stutsman County. The confirmation came from the North Dakota State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

Efforts to respond to the situation involve the State Board of Animal Health and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with USDA-APHIS and local officials. They have quarantined the affected premises, and measures are in place to depopulate the flock to prevent disease spread. Additionally, domestic bird owners within a 10 km control zone around the affected farm have been notified and their birds are under monitoring to control the potential spread of HPAI. Birds from the infected flock will not enter the food system.

In response, the state has suspended all commingling poultry and bird events within Stutsman County and for birds originating from the county. This suspension will be lifted automatically if no new cases are reported within 30 days.

According to health authorities, there is no immediate public health concern because of this finding. The risk of HPAI to humans is considered low, as human infections in the U.S. are extremely rare. To date, no human cases have been reported in North Dakota.

Dr. Ethan Andress, the State Veterinarian, emphasized the ongoing risks due to the HPAI virus, noting, "The HPAI virus continues to circulate in wild birds. Waterfowl continue to be the primary concern, but any wild birds can potentially spread the virus." He advised, "Remember to restrict access to property, keep wild birds away from other birds and practice enhanced biosecurity. Birds should be kept indoors, especially during the spring and fall migration."

AgriCommissioner Doug Goehring pointed out, "This is the first case of HPAI in poultry in the state this year." He reiterated the importance of protecting local bird owners, "Protecting our North Dakota producers, who raise approximately 1 million commercial birds annually, and our many backyard bird owners is high priority."

The disease exists among many wild birds and can be spread through contact with infected birds or by consuming contaminated food and water.

For further information about avian influenza, resources are available on the North Dakota Department of Agriculture website at www.ndda.nd.gov/avian-influenza and from USDA-APHIS at www.aphis.usda.gov. Updates on subsequent detections of HPAI in North Dakota will be posted on www.ndda.nd.gov/hpai.