LINCOLN – The Nebraska Department of Agriculture and the USDA announced a fourth case of bird flu on an in-state farm this year, noting that the latest case was confirmed in a small backyard mixed flock in Holt County. 

According to NDA State Veterinarian Dr. Roger Dudley, the farm has been quarantined and the birds will be humanely depopulated and disposed of in an approved manner.

Additionally, NDA will be establishing a 6.2-mile surveillance zone, as is USDA policy, around the affected premises. A surveillance zone means poultry producers should be on heightened alert and practice biosecurity measures to protect their flock. 

The NDA also announced Saturday that it as cancelling all poultry events across Nebraska due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The state's order prohibits birds of any type at events including but not limited to fairs, expositions, swap meets, exotic sales and live bird auctions.

The order is effective immediately and will be in effect until May 1, at which time the order will be reevaluated.

“The decision to cancel poultry events was not taken lightly but is a necessary step to assure we are doing everything possible to protect our poultry producers, both small and large,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman. “Poultry producers should continue to take biosecurity measures on their farms to help prevent the spread of the disease into their flock.”