Helena, Mont. – A disease is killing many birds across the state of Montana, and even the nation.
On Thursday, December 15, the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) confirmed that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) killed a small backyard poultry flock in Flathead County. This case marks the 16th HPAI affected flock in the state since the start of the outbreak in March. The 2022 HPAI variant continues to have a significant effect on commercial and backyard flocks, with over 56 million birds in 47 states affected nationally.
Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease of birds that can cause high mortality in domestic flocks.
Montana State Veterinarian Martin Zaluski stated, “HPAI has impacted over 80,000 domestic birds in Montana.” He continued, “The impacts of this year’s disease outbreak are substantial.”
The department encourages all poultry producers to immediately report sudden onset of illness or high death loss in domestic poultry to their veterinarian or the department at (406/444-2976). If you find sick or dead wild birds that have died from unknown causes, please contact your local FWP Warden, Biologist or Regional office, or call the FWP wildlife veterinarian (406/577-7880).
