Bird flu detected in Vermont, backyard flock put down [Video]

State and federal agriculture officials announced Thursday that lab testing confirmed bird flu sickened a flock in northwestern Vermont.The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets said testing conducted in Franklin County on Dec. 19 revealed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as bird flu, in a backyard flock of birds. The agency described the flock as non-commercial and non-poultry, but did not specify its location within Franklin County.According to the announcement, the owner of the birds called the state Dec. 19 after noticing a bird death followed by other losses in a small flock of 24 birds. After the owner’s report, the remaining birds were quarantined to prevent the spread of the virus, pending testing. Agriculture officials said after lab testing confirmed bird flu, the remaining birds in that backyard flock in Franklin County were put down this past weekend to prevent the spread. This is …