WASHINGTON – New reports from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the US Department of Agriculture confirmed that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was found in three different states.

On March 2, APHIS reported HPAI in two non-commercial backyard flocks in Connecticut and Iowa.

Samples from the Connecticut flock were tested at the University of Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory and samples from the Iowa flock were tested at the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, both part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. 

The cases were confirmed at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa.

The agency said it is working closely with state animal health officials in Connecticut and Iowa on joint incident response. 

“State officials quarantined the affected premises, and birds on the properties will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease,” APHIS said. “Birds from the flock will not enter the food system.”

On March 4, APHIS announced that it found HPAI in commercial broiler chickens in Stoddard County, Mo.

Samples from the flock were tested at the University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, and confirmed at the APHIS’ NVSL in Ames. 

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the recent HPAI detections do not present an immediate public health concern.