Bird flu kills backyard chickens in Kansas

By Scout Nelson

The recent deaths of several backyard chickens in Sedgwick County, Kansas, have been linked to the bird flu, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA). The chickens died around December 20 after contracting highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a strain of the virus known for its severe effects on bird populations.

A spokesperson from the KDA confirmed the chickens had been infected with the HPAI virus, and by the time the illness was diagnosed, more than half of the 30 chickens had died. The remaining chickens were euthanized to prevent the disease from spreading further. This action was taken with the assistance of the KDA.

While bird flu poses little risk to humans, it can spread quickly among birds, especially migratory species like ducks and geese. For backyard flock owners, this means heightened precautions to prevent exposure to wild birds. "If you have a backyard flock, we strongly urge you to take steps to prevent exposure to wild birds," said Heather Lansdowne, KDA director of communications.

To protect against the spread of the disease, the Sedgwick County Zoo temporarily closed two popular attractions. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported a case in Louisiana where a patient contracted a mutated form of the bird flu, raising concerns about possible future mutations. The CDC found low-frequency mutations in the virus' hemagglutinin gene, though these changes were rare in humans and usually appear in severe cases.

The Biden administration has responded by stockpiling vaccines for the virus, although they do not plan to distribute them to the general public unless the situation worsens. Experts suggest that farmworkers and vulnerable individuals may be the first to receive the vaccine, should it become necessary.

In the meantime, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging the public to be aware of the risks and take necessary precautions to protect both human and animal health.

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