Avian influenza confirmed in geese in Sedgwick County

Colorado Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in wild Snow and Ross’s geese in Sedgwick County.

These birds were collected by CPW on March 17 after finding several sick and dead geese at Jumbo Reservoir. The birds were necropsied at the CPW Wildlife Health Laboratory, and samples were submitted to the Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

The samples tested positive, and these results were confirmed by the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory on March 24.

This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in wild birds in Colorado.

At this time, there have been no detections of HPAI in commercial or backyard poultry flocks in Colorado. The USDA publishes all detections of HPAI in wild and domestic birds at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/2022-hpai.

“With the number of cases of HPAI we have seen across many eastern and midwest states, it is not unexpected to have a detection in wild birds in Colorado. However, this detection emphasizes the importance for all poultry and bird owners to increase their biosecurity to protect the domestic poultry in the state,” said Dr. Maggie Baldwin, Colorado state veterinarian.

“While our primary goal is prevention, we are also working to increase preparedness in the event that we do have a domestic poultry detection of HPAI in the state to respond quickly and eliminate the virus. Rapid detection and response is the best way to protect and safeguard animals and the food supply,” she said.

HPAI is a reportable disease. It is important for veterinarians and producers to report any suspicious disease events in poultry flocks to the state veterinarian’s office at 303-869-9130. If it is after hours, the voicemail message will indicate which veterinarian is on call.

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