avian flu

A recent, highly infectious outbreak of avian influenza scourges local bird population.

State livestock managers advise poultry keepers to take steps to decrease the risk of infection.

Veterinarians with the state Department of Livestock are once again recommending Montanans house birds indoors after a case of avian flu was confirmed in Teton County earlier this month.

State livestock officials announced this week they have confirmed cases of the avian flu in Flathead County. The highly contagious virus was found in a backyard poultry flock.

This week, testing confirmed the avian flu in three dead tom turkeys from the campus flock.

Since the avian flu was first detected in Montana earlier this month, several cases have been confirmed in backyard flocks and wild birds.

About a week after Wyoming reported its first cases of the avian flu, the Montana Department of Livestock on Friday confirmed cases of the bird flu in poultry in Judith Basin and Cascade Counties.