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TAYLORSVILLE – State agriculture officials say they have “deserted” a small flock of chickens in Utah that have been found to be infected with bird flu that is spreading among birds in the United States. The cases, first discovered Friday, are the first confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Utah. They reported to the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Inspection Service. All the infected birds, which were part of a small flock of chickens in a Utah county yard, were euthanized and the area quarantined in an effort to prevent the disease from spreading, according to the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. Officials did not say exactly where the cases were located in Utah. “Our state veterinarian’s office was alerted to incidental birds in Utah and our team was sent immediately to assess the situation,” Utah State veterinarian Dr. Dean Taylor said in a statement Monday. “Appropriate measures have been taken to prevent further spread of the disease.” Avian flu is caused by the type A flu virus that can infect poultry, such as chickens, and can be transmitted by free-flying waterfowl such as ducks, geese and seabirds, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. The current outbreak was first spotted on a U.S. wigeon in South Carolina in January and has since spread to more than a dozen states. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says none of the bird cases have been transmitted to humans. However, it has led to millions of hens being killed and egg prices rising, CNN reported earlier this month. However, government officials advise anyone with birds in Utah to “watch” their flock for symptoms of bird flu, which include high mortality among flocks or birds with nasal secretions, decreased appetite, increased water intake or increased water intake. . Anyone who notices these symptoms is encouraged to email the state veterinarian’s office at [email protected] Government officials are also urging Utah residents to use the proper cooking safety for all poultry and eggs, which is an internal temperature of 165 degrees. ×

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Carter Williams is an award-winning reporter covering general news, outdoors, history and sports for KSL.com. He previously worked for Deseret News. It is a transplant to Utah from Rochester, New York.