CLANTON, Al — A neighboring state suffered an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza at an Upland Game bird Production facility. It is the closest outbreak to Mississippi this fall after three months of no detections in any states.

Mississippi had several HPAI outbreaks last year with two outbreaks affecting local poultry producers in Copiah and Lawerence County. It is likely the spread of HPAI will reach Mississippi again later this fall and into the winter.

United States Department of Agriculture Animal Plant Health Inspection Service reports 14 states in the last 30 days have had HPAI outbreaks. October has seen 1.24 million birds affected by HPAI. Mississippi’s first detection of HPAI in 2022 came on November 4th and it is very possible the same pattern could happen this year.

A wild bird in August and September were confirmed to be positive for HPAI in Mississippi.

Read more about how to defend the flock by visiting the USDA website.