Bird flu: Scientists find mutations, say threat is still low
April 14, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — A man in Chile is infected with a bird flu that has concerning mutations, but the threat to people from the virus remains low, U.S. health officials said Friday.
Past animal studies suggest these mutations could cause the virus to be more harmful or spread more easily, health officials said.
Cambodia says recent bird flu cases not spread by humans
March 1, 2023 GMTPHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Recent cases of bird flu discovered in two Cambodian villagers, one of them fatal, show no sign of human-to-human transmission, health officials in the Southeast Asian nation say, allaying fears of a public health crisis.
Experts say bird flu threat small despite Cambodian fatality
February 25, 2023 GMTPHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A top World Health Organization official, reacting to the death of an 11-year-old girl in Cambodia infected by bird flu, said Friday the recent global spread of the virus and human infections are “worrying.”
Bird flu kills 11-year-old girl in Cambodia, officials say
February 23, 2023 GMTPHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — An 11-year-old girl in Cambodia has died from bird flu in the country's first known human H5N1 infection since 2014, health officials said.
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, normally spreads in poultry and wasn’t deemed a threat to people until a 1997 outbreak among visitors to live poultry markets in Hong Kong.
Bird flu costs pile up as outbreak enters second year
February 19, 2023 GMTOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The ongoing bird flu outbreak has cost the government roughly $661 million and added to consumers' pain at the grocery store after more than 58 million birds were slaughtered to limit the spread of the virus.
Why sick minks are reigniting worries about bird flu
February 18, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — A recent bird flu outbreak at a mink farm has reignited worries about the virus spreading more broadly to people.
Scientists have been keeping tabs on this bird flu virus since the 1950s, though it wasn't deemed a threat to people until a 1997 outbreak in Hong Kong among visitors to live poultry markets.
Wild ducks found dead in Maine test positive for bird flu
February 12, 2023 GMTWINTHROP, Maine (AP) — Wildlife authorities in Maine said six wild ducks found dead in a stream in Winthrop have tested positive for bird flu.
The hooded mergansers were found dead in Mill Stream and tested positive for a highly pathogenic avian influenza, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife said Friday.
Chicken farmers say their eggs could help reduce prices
February 9, 2023 GMTOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — U.S. chicken producers want to do their part to bring down current soaring egg prices by selling their 400 million surplus eggs to food producers.
But first they have to convince the FDA to change the rule that prevents eggs laid by chickens in the meat industry to be used for human consumption.
Soaring US egg prices put pressure on consumers, businesses
January 11, 2023 GMTOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Chickens may not be able to fly very far, but the price of eggs is soaring.
A lingering bird flu outbreak, combined with soaring feed, fuel and labor costs, has led to U.S. egg prices more than doubling over the past year, and hatched a lot of sticker shock on grocery aisles.
Latest Iowa bird flu cases push December total near 700,000
December 12, 2022 GMTOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Four new cases of bird flu at Iowa turkey farms in the past few days will push the number of birds slaughtered nationwide this month to limit the spread of the virus up to nearly 700,000.
Bird flu found in snow geese, suspected in turkey flock
December 12, 2022 GMTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Bird flu has been confirmed in snow geese and other water birds from Gibson County in southwestern Indiana and is suspected in a commercial turkey flock in nearby Daviess County, state officials said.
Pelicans dying as bird flu outbreak spreads to Venezuela
December 5, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — An outbreak of bird flu in pelicans has authorities in Venezuela taking emergency efforts to protect poultry producers.
Numerous pelicans were found dead over the weekend along Venezuela’s coast as the species arrived amid their annual winter migration.
Illinois DNR suspects bird flu in deaths of 300 waterfowl
November 30, 2022 GMTBELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) — State wildlife officials suspect that bird flu killed at least 300 waterfowl recently found dead at public hunting sites across southern Illinois.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources said Tuesday the wild birds, mostly snow geese, have been found dead at Baldwin Lake, Pyramid State Recreation Area, Rend Lake and Carlyle Lake.
9,000 hens killed after latest Missouri case of avian flu
November 28, 2022 GMTJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Nearly 9,000 laying hens in Webster County were killed after federal officials confirmed an outbreak of bird flu in the flock, state agriculture officials said.
It is the 11th case of the highly contagious avian influenza in Missouri this year, involving nearly 435,000 birds on six commercial farms and four backyard flocks, the Missouri Department of Agriculture said.
Bird flu prompts slaughter of 1.8M chickens in Nebraska
November 27, 2022 GMTOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska agriculture officials say another 1.8 million chickens must be killed after bird flu was found on a farm in the latest sign that the outbreak that has already prompted the slaughter of more than 50 million birds nationwide continues to spread.
Bird flu detected in southeast Alaska black bear cub
November 19, 2022 GMTJUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A black bear cub in southeast Alaska was euthanized after it became ill with avian influenza, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said.
It is believed that the cub, which was located in Bartlett Cove in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve west of Juneau, is the second bear diagnosed with the highly pathogenic bird flu, the Juneau Empire reported.
Berlin Zoo closes door to visitors over bird flu case
November 18, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — The Berlin Zoo shut its doors to visitors Friday after one of its aquatic birds tested positive for avian flu, the facility said.
A routine check on a hamerkop — a medium-sized wading bird — that had died last week found that it tested positive for the disease.
Bird flu cases prompt Iowa to limit movement of live birds
November 10, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa agriculture official on Thursday limited the movement of live birds in the state as a response to a return of bird flu with the fall migration of wild birds.
State Veterinarian Jeff Kaisand signed an order cancelling all events where live birds are brought together, including bird sales, auctions, swap meets and exhibitions.
Bird flu infects Iowa egg farm with 1 million chickens
October 31, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa agriculture officials said Monday that another commercial egg farm in the state has been infected with bird flu, the first commercial farm case identified since April, when a turkey farm was infected.
UK orders all England’s poultry kept in to fight bird flu
October 31, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — British authorities said Monday that all poultry and other captive birds in England must be kept indoors from next week after bird flu was detected in dozens of farms across the country, as well as in wild birds.
Bird flu case prompts Omaha zoo to close several exhibits
October 16, 2022 GMTOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium has closed several exhibits and taken other precautions after one of its pelicans died from the bird flu.
The zoo said one of its pink-backed pelicans that died on Thursday tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Bird flu worries prompt Albuquerque BioPark Zoo closures
October 11, 2022 GMTALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A popular penguin exhibit at the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo has been shut down due to concerns about bird flu.
The Albuquerque Journal reports zoo officials announced Tuesday that Penguin Chill will be closed indefinitely as a precaution.
Bird flu forces egg farm to euthanize 3 million chickens
September 7, 2022 GMTTOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — An outbreak of bird flu that has led to the deaths of 43 million chickens and turkeys this year across the U.S. has been found at a giant egg-laying operation in Ohio, state and federal agriculture officials said Wednesday.
Deadly bird flu returns to Midwest earlier than expected
August 31, 2022 GMTMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Bird flu has returned to the Midwest earlier than authorities expected after a lull of several months, with the highly pathogenic disease being detected in two commercial turkey flocks in western Minnesota and a hobby flock in Indiana, officials said Wednesday.
Could be months before sanctuary reopens after bird flu
August 30, 2022 GMTIt could be months before a Georgia animal sanctuary reopens after being closed by bird flu that killed wild vultures roosting there, part of an outbreak that has led to 40.3 million deaths in commercial and backyard flocks nationwide.
Bird flu kills 700 black vultures, closes animal sanctuary
August 23, 2022 GMTLOCUST GROVE, Ga. (AP) — Bird flu has killed hundreds of wild black vultures at a Georgia sanctuary that houses more than 1,500 other animals.
Alaska fair cancels poultry exhibits amid bird flu concerns
August 5, 2022 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Officials with the Alaska State Fair have decided against the usual array of poultry exhibits this year amid avian flu concerns.
Fair CEO Jerome Hertel in a statement said officials believed it was best "to err on the side of caution."
Ban on North Dakota poultry events lifted, too late for fair
July 18, 2022 GMTBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota animal health officials are ending a ban on poultry events that was instituted when bird flu was on the rise.
However, the decision by the State Board of Animal Health comes too late for State Fair poultry exhibits this year.
High number of seal deaths linked to bird flu, feds say
July 5, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — An unusual number of seals are becoming stranded and dying off Maine this summer, and avian influenza is to blame, the federal government said Tuesday.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed that samples from four Maine seals tested positive for the virus.
Hundreds of birds wash up on island, officials fear bird flu
June 21, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Hundreds of dead birds have washed up on Martha's Vineyard and animal control officials there think a highly contagious strain of avian flu may be responsible.
The Tisbury Animal Control posted an “avian influenza warning” on social media Monday, telling residents that hundreds of dead cormorants have washed up all over the island and it's “extremely dangerous” for a small island.
Bird flu outbreak waning but threat of virus lingers
June 16, 2022 GMTOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A bird flu outbreak in the U.S. that led to the deaths of more than 40 million chickens and turkeys and contributed to a spike in egg and meat prices appears to be waning, but experts caution the virus hasn’t disappeared and worry another surge could take hold this fall.
Michigan lifts poultry show ban imposed to control bird flu
June 13, 2022 GMTLANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan has lifted a statewide ban on poultry and waterfowl exhibitions after 30 days passed with no new cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic birds.
Bird shows can resume in the state, Michigan’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said in a statement Monday.
Bird flu arrives in Southwest after millions of birds die
June 10, 2022 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Arizona officials have confirmed the first cases in the Southwest of a bird flu that has led to the deaths of 37 million birds from commercial farms in the central and eastern U.S.
The disease was spotted after tests by federal wildlife officials in three wild cormorants that had been found dead in a park in the Phoenix suburb of Scottsdale, Arizona Game and Fish officials announced this week.
State officials extend ban on poultry events
June 3, 2022 GMTBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — State animal health officials have extended a ban poultry events indefinitely as a bird flu outbreak continues.
Georgia officials find bird flu strain in domesticated flock
June 2, 2022 GMTVIDALIA, Ga. (AP) — Officials have confirmed a highly contagious variety of bird flu in a backyard flock in southeast Georgia.
Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black said Thursday it was the first confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in domesticated birds in Georgia this year.
State asks live poultry sales to end because of bird flu
May 19, 2022 GMTSPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — With bird flu hitting nine flocks scattered across seven counties, the Washington state Department of Agriculture on Thursday requested that live market poultry sales cease for the next 30 days.
Conspiracy theorists flock to bird flu, spreading falsehoods
May 17, 2022 GMTBrad Moline, a fourth-generation Iowa turkey farmer, saw this happen before. In 2015, a virulent avian flu outbreak nearly wiped out his flock.
Barns once filled with chattering birds were suddenly silent.
More bird flu cases confirmed in Washington state
May 13, 2022 GMTOLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Additional cases of bird flu have been confirmed with the most recent in Whatcom and Okanogan counties, Washington state agricultural officials said Friday.
The cases were confirmed Thursday in non-commercial backyard flocks, the state Department of Agriculture said in a statement.
Michigan DNR: Bird flu confirmed in 3 baby red foxes
May 13, 2022 GMTLANSING, Mich. (AP) — Avian influenza has been confirmed in three baby red foxes in separate southeastern Michigan counties.
The kits in Lapeer, Macomb and St. Clair counties were confirmed Wednesday to have died from the HPAI virus, Michigan's Department of Natural Resources said Thursday.
DNR: Fox kit tests positive for bird flu in Minnesota
May 12, 2022 GMTMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A baby fox has tested positive for the bird flu in Minnesota, the first confirmed case in a wild mammal in the state, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
The kit found in Anoka County died, as did two red fox kits in Ontario, Canada who tested positive for the avian flu last week, the first reported cases in a wild mammal in North America, according to the DNR.
State’s 2nd outbreak of bird flu confirmed in Spokane County
May 9, 2022 GMTSPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Agriculture experts have confirmed Washington state's second outbreak of bird flu, this time in a non-commercial flock in Spokane County.
The affected flock is a mix of about 75 geese, chickens, ducks and guinea fowl and they were euthanized.
Bird flu takes unheard-of toll on bald eagles, other birds
May 5, 2022 GMTOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Bird flu is killing an alarming number of bald eagles and other wild birds, with many sick birds arriving at rehabilitation centers unsteady on their talons and unable to fly.
Michigan agency: Branch Co the latest where bird flu found
April 30, 2022 GMTLANSING, Mich. (AP) — Bird flu has been confirmed in a backyard poultry flock in south central Michigan's Branch County, the state Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said Saturday.
Following an investigation by the agency, the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory detected the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a non-commercial flock, the agency said Saturday.
First recent US case of human bird flu confirmed in Colorado
April 29, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Colorado prison inmate has become the first person in the U.S. to test positive for bird flu in a recent outbreak that has led to the deaths of millions of chickens and turkeys, but federal officials say they still see little threat to the general public.
Large bird flu outbreak reported at Knox County farm
April 27, 2022 GMTLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Another large case of bird flu has been confirmed at a farm in Nebraska, state and federal agriculture officials said Wednesday.
The highly-contagious avian influenza was found on a farm in Knox County in northeast Nebraska along the South Dakota border.
Bird flu drives free-range hens indoors to protect poultry
April 24, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Is it OK for free-range chickens to not range freely?
That’s a question free-range egg producers have been pondering lately as they try to be open about their product while also protecting chickens from a highly infectious bird flu that has resulted in the death of roughly 28 million poultry birds across the country.
DNR: Removing feeders not urgent but could reduce bird flu
April 20, 2022 GMTLANSING, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan wildlife expert says removing outdoor feeders could help reduce the spread of a bird flu.
Avian influenza has been confirmed in at least five counties: Kalamazoo, Livingston, Macomb, Menominee and Washtenaw, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
Minnesota’s governor, senators praise state’s bird flu fight
April 19, 2022 GMTST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota's governor and U.S. senators went to the heart of the state's poultry country Tuesday for a first-hand look at how the top turkey-producing state is fighting bird flu, and said the state is better positioned now than it was during the devastating 2015 outbreak.
Officials say bird flu found at 3rd Indiana duck farm
April 18, 2022 GMTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Avian influenza has been detected in a third northern Indiana duck farm, state officials said Monday.
Michigan agency: Bird flu found in backyard flock
April 15, 2022 GMTLANSING, Mich. (AP) — Avian influenza has been confirmed in a backyard poultry flock in Livingston County, the state Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said Friday, bringing to four the number of southeastern Michigan counties where the virus has been detected.
Georgia bald eagles stricken by bird flu as it spreads in US
April 15, 2022 GMTWOODSTOCK, Ga. (AP) — A flu infecting birds nationwide is being blamed for the deaths of three bald eagles in Georgia.
The University of Georgia’s Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Diseases Study said it confirmed the avian flu in the eagles Thursday.
Highly contagious bird flu found in 2 Idaho chicken flocks
April 15, 2022 GMTBOISE, Idaho (AP) — A highly contagious form of avian influenza has been found in two Idaho chicken flocks, prompting state agriculture officials to warn bird owners to take extra protections when interacting with their flocks.
2 bird flu cases confirmed in US zoos as virus spreads
April 14, 2022 GMTOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Two cases of bird flu have been confirmed in U.S. zoos, but officials said they won't order widespread euthanasia of zoo birds the way they have on farms.
U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesman Mike Stepien declined to release any details about the zoo cases Thursday, including which two zoos were involved.
Bird flu found in flock of 1.7 million hens in Dixon County
April 13, 2022 GMTLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — State and federal agriculture officials have confirmed an outbreak of bird flu in a flock of 1.7 million laying hens in northeast Nebraska.
State officials: Bird flu found at 2nd Indiana duck farm
April 12, 2022 GMTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Avian influenza has been detected in a second northern Indiana duck farm, state officials said Tuesday.
First commercial case of bird flu found in McPherson County
April 11, 2022 GMTTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The first case of bird flu in a Kansas commercial operation has been confirmed in a turkey flock in McPherson, state and federal agriculture officials announced Monday.
Previously, avian influenza had been confirmed only in four backyard flocks in Kansas.
Zoo, animal sanctuaries take precautions against bird flu
April 11, 2022 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin zoos and animal sanctuaries are taking precautions against the avian flu by limiting tours, closing aviaries and implementing other safety measures to protect birds against the highly contagious disease.
Minnesota Legislature approves emergency $1M for bird flu
April 8, 2022 GMTST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Legislature rushed through $1 million in emergency funding Thursday to bolster the fight against bird flu, a highly contagious disease that has cost the state's turkey farmers more than 1 million birds.
State officials: Bird flu found at Indiana duck farm
April 8, 2022 GMTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Avian influenza has been detected in a northern Indiana duck farm, state officials said Thursday, marking the disease's spread to a third poultry species.
Bird flu’s grisly question: how to kill millions of poultry
April 7, 2022 GMTOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The spread of a bird flu that is deadly to poultry raises the grisly question of how farms manage to quickly kill and dispose of millions of chickens and turkeys.
It's a chore that farms across the country are increasingly facing as the number of poultry killed in the past two months has climbed to more than 24 million, with outbreaks reported nearly every day.