Since the initial confirmation of the disease in Dubois County, Indiana on January 15, eight flocks have been deemed as low pathogenic while another flock is undergoing additional testing. The outbreak also led to record-high egg prices.
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The U.S. government confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H7N8 avian influenza in a commercial turkey flock in IN, the country’s first case since the end of last year’s outbreak that led to the destruction of 50 million animals. IN ranks first in duck production, fourth in turkey production and third in eggs in the U.S.
Highly pathogenic strains spread rapidly and are often fatal in chicken and turkeys, USDA’s APHIS has said.
Dr. T.J. Myers, associate deputy administrator of the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) said, “this is a different strain of virus than the strain we saw during the 2015 outbreak”.
Dubois County raises more than one million birds each year and officials say they have had to euthanize more than 200,000 birds so far.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the risk of illness to humans from bird flu to be very low. “It is a significant virus that does need an immediate response in order to contain it and prevent spread to other facilities”. The Asian influenza viruses can make people sick.
Limited genetic data from preliminary diagnostic tests last week showed this H7N8 virus originated from North America, while last year’s strains had roots in Europe and Asia, officials said.
Still, the new strain found in the United States is considered highly pathogenic, meaning it is especially deadly to poultry.
The case of avian flu in IN doesn’t involve Tyson Foods, spokesman Gary Mickelson said in an e-mailed response.
Indiana State Veterinarian Bret Marsh said there’s a “heightened sense of awareness about biosecurity” throughout the poultry industry now that bird flu has resurfaced.
South Korea has temporarily suspended poultry imports from the USA following a bird flu outbreak on a farm in Indiana.
Bird flu cost the USA poultry industry an estimated $3.3 billion in 2015 as farmers had to destroy infected flocks and halt production for months.
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The most immediately noticeable impact has been on export markets. All affected barns will then undergo a thorough cleaning and disinfection before farmers can restock.
