Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has been detected in Mississippi. The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce announced that poultry from a commercial breeder in Greene County tested positive for the virus.

Samples from the flock were initially tested at the Mississippi Veterinary Research & Diagnostic Laboratory before confirmation was received from a veterinary services lab in Ames, Iowa.

While avian influenza poses no food safety risk—poultry and eggs remain safe to consume when properly handled and cooked—the Mississippi Board of Animal Health has intensified monitoring efforts across the state’s poultry industry to prevent further outbreaks.

Concern over bird flu has been rising nationwide, with the virus appearing in poultry and dairy farms across the Country. A recent case in Louisiana involved a severe human infection in which an older individual was hospitalized after exposure to an infected backyard flock. According to USA Today, this is one of 61 human infections recorded in the U.S. this year.

The potential impact of bird flu extends beyond human health. California recently declared a state of emergency after bird flu was discovered in dairy cows, threatening the state’s poultry and dairy industries and raising fears of a broader pandemic.

Mississippi officials urge vigilance within the poultry sector as they work to contain the outbreak and protect the state’s vital agricultural assets.