JACKSON — A chicken flock in Copiah County has tested positive for highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, the Mississippi Board of Animal Health announced Tuesday.

The MBAH said the positive tests came from a commercial broiler chicken flock. Samples from the flock were tested at the Mississippi Veterinary Research & Diagnostic Laboratory, and confirmed at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa.

Avian influenza does not present a food safety risk. Poultry and eggs are safe to eat when handled and cooked properly. There are, however, concerns about the H5N1 virus — commonly called the “bird flu” — mutating and spreading to other livestock and humans.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 66 cases have been reported in humans in 10 states. Of those, 36 were in California, 11 were in Washington, and 10 were in Colorado. One human case has been reported in Louisiana.

According to the MBAH, the State Veterinarian has quarantined the affected premises at the Copiah County farm where the infected birds were found. The birds on the property have been depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock have not entered the food system.

The MBAH said in a release that it is working closely with federal animal health officials in Mississippi on a joint incident response, as well as with the poultry industry to increase monitoring of flocks statewide.

This is the second case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in commercial poultry in Mississippi since the spring of 2023.

Since November, HPAI has been detected in migratory waterfowl in multiple areas of Mississippi. The poultry industry was notified and put on high alert to increase biosecurity and surveillance for HPAI.

Hobby poultry owners are encouraged to practice good biosecurity and be aware of the signs of avian influenza. Illness and/or death in birds should be reported to the MBAH.

Dead birds should be double‐bagged and refrigerated for possible testing.

Precautions should be taken when handling sick or dead birds including proper handwashing, using gloves, wearing masks, and sanitation of surfaces that come into contact with sick or dead birds to prevent the spread of avian influenza to people.

Avian influenza in birds can cause sudden death; lack of energy or appetite; decreased egg production; soft-shelled or misshapen eggs; swelling or purple discoloration of head, eyelids, comb, hocks; nasal discharge; coughing; sneezing; incoordination; and diarrhea.

A resource for backyard bird health information is online at this link.