By Andi Anderson
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as H5N1, is actively spreading across the United States, including Indiana. Since the beginning of the year, the virus has been detected in at least seven commercial poultry farms and one non-commercial operation in Indiana.
Experts, including the Indiana Board of Animal Health (BOAH), assure that HPAI does not pose a food safety risk. Properly cooked poultry and eggs, as well as pasteurized dairy products, remain safe to consume. However, the spread of the virus is concerning for poultry farmers and wildlife experts.
Since February 2022, HPAI has been identified in over 1,300 locations across all 50 states. Wild birds, including waterfowl and raptors, have tested positive for the virus from coast to coast. Additionally, cases have been found in mammals, including dairy cattle, wildlife, and even humans.
This ongoing outbreak is the largest animal health emergency in U.S. history, according to BOAH. Farmers and poultry producers are advised to take strict biosecurity measures to protect their flocks. Monitoring and early detection are essential to controlling the spread of the virus.
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Categories: Indiana, Rural Lifestyle