ARKANSAS (KFSM) – A case of Avian Influenza has been confirmed in The Natural State, according to a report from the Arkansas Livestock & Poultry Commission.
On Sunday (March 8), the Arkansas Livestock & Poultry Commission was notified of a potential infection of Avian Flu in a commercial turkey flock in Boone County, officials said.
The flock was immediately quarantined, and samples were taken and sent to a state veterinary diagnostic lab, the report states. The samples tested positive for Avian Flu and were sent to the National Veterinary Services Lab (NVSL) for final confirmation, according to the report. On Tuesday evening (March 10), the NVSL confirmed the presence of H5N2 Avian Flu in the samples, according to the Arkansas Livestock & Poultry Commission.
The report states that the Arkansas Livestock & Poultry Commission will follow “strict USDA protocols” to depopulate the affected flock so that no affected birds will enter the food supply.
“Additionally, surveillance and testing procedures will be implemented at properties near the affected facility to ensure that the virus has not spread,” the report states.
The virus is not known to cause disease in humans, according to the Arkansas Livestock & Poultry Commission.
