Arkansas poultry officials say that a strain of avian flu has been detected in a commercial flock and that steps were being taken to destroy the sick birds. Arkansas is the third state in the Mississippi flyway to test positive for avian flu, after it was detected in flocks in Minnesota and Missouri within the last week.
According to the Associated Press, the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission was following federal protocols to ensure the affected birds did not enter the food supply. Tests will also be conducted to make sure the disease hasn't spread. The agency said it was notified of a potential infection on Sunday and that test results by the National Veterinary Services Lab confirmed the presence of the H5N2 flu.