PHOENIX — Bird flu has been detected in poultry at a farm in Maricopa County, prompting a quarantine and immediate sanitation efforts, state agriculture officials confirmed Tuesday.
The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) said the risk to the general public remains low, with those who had direct contact with infected birds being at the highest risk.
Birds on the farm began showing symptoms consistent with avian influenza on May 21. Samples were first tested at the Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, then sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory for confirmation.
Officials emphasized that no contaminated eggs have entered the food supply, and there are no reported human illnesses linked to the incident.
This marks at least the second bird flu-related case in Maricopa County this year. In February, bird flu was also detected in milk from a local dairy herd.
The AZDA continues to monitor the situation closely while ensuring biosecurity protocols are enforced to prevent the spread of the virus.
