Highly pathogenic avian influenza strain H5N1 has been diagnosed in poultry flocks in Webster, Dade, Lawrence, Jasper and Stoddard Counties during the 2022 epornitic.  Six commercial farms have been infected requiring the depopulation of close to 500,000 birds. It is evident that migratory birds are shedding the H5N1 virus and have infected domestic resident bird species including buzzards and crows. Many of the farms that have required depopulation are either on direct flight paths or are in proximity to expanses of water or wetlands that attract waterfowl. 

The important question is the route by which HPAI virus enters commercial farms.  The USDA has been negligent in not providing results of epidemiologic studies describing risk factors and documenting how virus in the environment is introduced into poultry flocks.  If the outbreaks in commercial farms are attributed to deficiencies in biosecurity, as the industry currently practices, then appropriate changes are required.  If however the virus is transmitted by the aerogenous route, even over short distances, alternative modalities are necessary.  The number of cases that now exceed the 2015 outbreak presumes guidance and advice from APHIS that has yet to be provided.