On January 15th the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) announced highly pathogenic avian influenza was diagnosed in an Indiana turkey flock. Over the weekend more cases were found in the state. The total is now at 10 positive commercial turkey operations in Dubois County.
All positive flocks are located within the original control area, and were identified by surveillance testing. New 10 km circles have been drawn, to expand the control area slightly beyond Dubois County into Martin, Orange, Crawford and Davies counties.
Poultry flocks in the surrounding area are being tested daily for the presence of avian influenza. State and federal agencies are working alongside the poultry operations to minimize the impact and eliminate the disease.
Depopulation activities are underway on most of the sites. Depopulation of the index site was completed this morning. All infected flocks are located in Dubois County, Indiana.
Backyard poultry owners are encouraged to be aware of the signs of avian influenza and report illness and/or death to the USDA Healthy Birds Hotline: 866-536-7593. Callers will be routed to a state or federal veterinarian in Indiana for a case assessment. Dead birds should be double-bagged and refrigerated for possible testing.
Signs include: sudden death without clinical signs; lack of energy or appetite; decreased egg production; soft-shelled or misshapen eggs; swelling or purple discoloration of head, eyelids, comb, hocks; nasal discharge; coughing; sneezing; incoordination; and diarrhea.
Situation updates and status reports about ongoing avian influenza activities, along with critical disease-related information, will be posted online.