Arizona: bird flu detected at fourth commercial farm in Maricopa County

Chickens at a fourth commercial farm in Maricopa County tested positive for bird flu. According to the Arizona Department of Agriculture, the virus was detected through “routine surveillance sampling” last week at a facility named “Maricopa 05” before any birds showed symptoms of the disease. Samples were first analysed by the Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Lab and later by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory. Poultry at the facility was being disposed of through a heat and activation process to prevent the spread of the virus. The risk to the public is considered low, with employees at the farm the most exposed due to their daily contact with the birds.
The Department invited those who see signs of illness in their poultry to report them immediately to local, state, or federal authorities.