HOLT COUNTY, Neb.-- The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected in a small backyard flock located in Holt County.

Just last week the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced that  570,000 chickens in Butler County have been affected by bird flu.

Cases of bird flu have now been found in multiple counties in Nebraska, including Merrick, Cedar, Lancaster, Brown, Otoe and Douglas Counties. The flocks affected by HPAI range from commercial, wild birds, and backyard flock. 

Poultry producers should be on heightened alert and practice biosecurity measures to protect their flock. These producers should also know the signs and symptoms of HPAI and notify NDA immediately of sick or dying poultry.

Symptoms of HPAI in poultry include: a decrease in water consumption; lack of energy and appetite; decreased egg production or soft-shelled, misshapen eggs; nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing; incoordination; and diarrhea. HPAI can also cause sudden death in birds even if they aren’t showing any other symptoms. HPAI can survive for weeks in contaminated environments.

The NCDHD health district, said it's important to report sick birds immediately to Nebraska Department of Agriculture (402-471-2351) or to your local veterinarian to help protect flocks around Nebraska.