We are awaiting test results from a second farm in Kentucky, but late this afternoon Indiana's Board of Animal Health (BOAH) announced a second farm in Dubois County has preliminarily tested positive for the virus.
While this subtype of avian flu is expected to pose a very low risk to the public (see CDC Statement), it can be devastating for poultry production. Excerpts from today's announcement follow.
Note: New information is highlighted in BOLD ITALIC type.
State of Indiana Response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Dubois County
CURRENT SITUATION
Laboratory testing of a commercial flock of young turkeys in Dubois County has identified the H5 avian influenza virus. This is considered a presumptive-positive case and samples are being verified at the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Iowa.
This is the second farm (known as Dubois2) in Indiana to be diagnosed with avian influenza. Pending test results should indicate if the virus is the same as the index farm diagnosed on Feb. 9 and if the virus is highly pathogenic. The close proximity of the second farm to the index site (Dubois1) means the established 10-km control area will remain the same.
The Dubois2 flock was tested after the owner noticed water consumption by the birds dropped dramatically (a clinical sign of avian influenza). The farm, already under quarantine, houses 26,473 birds.
The control area circle is primarily in Dubois County and a portion of northern Spencer County. All commercial poultry flocks (18 total) within the control area are under quarantine for the duration of this event (i.e., until the control area is lifted). Poultry farms in the control area have completed the first round of surveillance testing for HPAI to ensure the virus is not present in the area beyond the index farm. Testing of the control area farms will continue on a weekly basis.
BOAH has established a surveillance zone around the control area to allow for additional monitoring for the presence of the virus in commercial poultry in the area. The zone extends an additional 10 km beyond the control area boundary. Commercial poultry operations in the surveillance zone are not under quarantine, but will be tested regularly (at less-frequent intervals) until the control area is lifted.
BOAH staff continue to reach out to known hobby/backyard poultry owners in the control area to schedule testing of birds to ensure the virus is not present. To date, 25 hobby flocks have been sampled; laboratory testing is not yet complete. Hobby poultry owners in Southern Dubois County should contact BOAH at 317-544-2387 to schedule testing at no charge. BOAH staff have begun testing small poultry flocks in the control area and will continue to make appointments to make site visits.
