USDA reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian flu in a turkey flock in southern Indiana on Feb. 9. This is the nation’s first outbreak in a commercial poultry operation since 2020.
The outbreak caused a swift reaction from importers seeking to limit the spread of this highly contagious disease. Both China and Korea blocked non-heated poultry meat from Indiana, while Taiwan restricted poultry meat and egg products from the state, USDA said. China’s ban on Indiana poultry will likely last 90 days, Reuters reports.
The strain of the virus was H5N1, experts report. This is the first case in the state of Indiana of highly pathogenic bird flu in commercial poultry since 2016, when 400,000 birds were killed. The H5N1 strain has also been discovered in wild birds along the U.S. East Coast and has resulted in a wave of outbreaks in poultry across Europe and Asia.
Canada confirmed H5N1 bird flu in a commercial poultry flock in Nova Scotia, triggering varying trade restrictions from importers, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said on Feb. 9.
State officials have quarantined the farm and its 29,000 turkeys are being euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease, said a spokeswoman for the Indiana State Board of Animal Health.
“This confirmation of high path avian influenza in a commercial turkey flock in Indiana highlights the foreign animal disease risks facing our poultry producers. We appreciate the quick action of the Indiana Board of Animal Health and USDA in identifying and confirming the disease and immediately activating response and surveillance protocols,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “Our team at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship recognizes the threat HPAI and other foreign animal diseases pose to Iowa agriculture. We will continue working with USDA, livestock producers and other stakeholders to develop, test and strengthen our foreign animal disease preparedness and response plans.”
Turkeys from the affected farm will not enter the food supply, USDA explained. The agency said avian influenza does not present an immediate public health concern and no human cases of avian influenza viruses have been detected in the U.S.
However, it’s important to always remember that poultry and eggs should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees (73.9 Celsius) to kill bacteria and viruses, the agency noted.
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