Bird flu reported in mixed bird flock in Franklin County

OTTAWA, Kan. (AP) — Federal and state agriculture officials say avian influenza, more commonly called bird flu, has been found in Franklin County in northeast Kansas. Heather Lansdowne, spokeswoman for Kansas Department of Agriculture, says the infected flock was a mixture of chickens, ducks and other birds at a home farm. The department has issued guidelines for bird owners to protect their flocks from wild birds, particularly waterfowl. The guidelines include removing possible nesting and feeding areas for wild birds, and washing equipment and clothing after visiting areas where waterfowl might be present. Nearly 7 million chickens and birds have been killed in 13 states this year because of the bird flu.