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MO Ag Department responds to H5N1 confirmation

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control confirmed a human case of H5N1 in Missouri with someone who hadn’t been exposed to livestock.

The Missouri Ag Department says there haven’t been any confirmed cases of H5N1 in poultry for several months. No H5N1 has been confirmed in livestock.

But as fall migration season begins, MDA encourages producers continue good biosecurity habits with livestock to prevent any spread of H5N1. That includes preventing contact with wild waterfowl, having dedicated clothing for working with livestock and washing hands with soap before and after working with livestock.

MDA says farm workers at poultry farms are encouraged to monitor their health closely and seek medical attention if illness happens. USDA offers personal protective equipment to any producer or farm worker.