#16,578
Indiana's Board of Animal Health is reporting a 3rd turkey farm affected by HPAI H5 (presumably H5N1), this time in Greene County, which lies roughly 40 miles north of Dubois County. Thus far, we've seen wild bird detections in 7 States, and poultry outbreaks in 3 (Indiana, Kentucky, and Virginia).
While HPAI H5N1 is now considered to be a zoonotic virus, it is believed to pose a low risk to public health (see CDC Statement: `Low Risk' To Public From HPAI H5 Avian Flu), and is primarily considered a threat to wild birds and poultry.
The following comes from the emailed advisory, as the link on the BOAH webpage appears inoperative at this time.
State of Indiana Response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Note: New information is highlighted in BOLD ITALIC type.
STATEWIDE SUMMARY:
Total number of birds affected in Indiana
Commercial Turkeys: 103,473
CURRENT SITUATION
Avian influenza has been detected in an additional commercial poultry flock.
GREENE1: Laboratory testing of a commercial flock of turkeys in Greene County has identified 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 third farm (known as Greene1) 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.
A high mortality rate led to testing. Depopulation has begun on the premises, which includes approximately 48,000 birds.
The location of Greene1 is outside of existing control area circles; therefore, a third 10-km circle has been established in Greene County and a portion of Northern Daviess County. All commercial poultry flocks (10 total) within this new control area are under quarantine and will be tested regularly for the duration of this event (I.e., until the control area is lifted).
BOAH staff continue to reach out to known hobby/backyard poultry owners in the control areas to schedule testing of birds to ensure the virus is not present. To date, 26 hobby flocks have been sampled; laboratory testing determined them as negative. Hobby poultry owners in Southern Dubois County or Southwest Greene County should contact BOAH at 317-544-2387 to schedule testing at no charge.
BACKGROUND
On Feb. 9, 2022, a confirmed case of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was identified in a single commercial turkey flock in Dubois County. This is the first report of HPAI in commercial poultry in the United States since 2020 and the first in Indiana since 2016.
Samples were collected from the birds on Feb. 7 and submitted to the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) at Purdue University after approximately one hundred birds died, flock appeared lethargic and decreased consumption of water. Tests indicated a likely infection of an H5 avian influenza virus. Under standard protocols, the results were reported to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH), which authorized prompt transport of the samples to US Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, IA for confirmatory testing.
NVSL confirmed that the virus present was a highly pathogenic strain of H5N1 (with a Eurasian H5 goose/Guangdong lineage).
Upon confirmation of HPAI, the 29,000 turkeys in the flock (known as “Dubois 1”) were depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease in the area.
On Feb. 15 laboratory testing of a second commercial flock of turkeys in Dubois County has identified the H5 avian influenza virus (known as Dubois2).
Upon confirmation of HPAI, the 26,473 turkeys in the flock (known as Dubois 2) were depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease in the area.
Ongoing testing of commercial and small, hobby flocks continues on a weekly basis.
RESPONSE BOAH is working with multiple state and federal partners to respond to this event, including Indiana Department of Health, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, and USDA Veterinary Services, Wildlife Services and Farm Service Agency.
