On Tuesday, a NON-COMMERCIAL (hobby) POULTRY flock in Elkhart County tested presumptive-positive for the H5 avian influenza virus. Samples will be tested at the national USDA laboratory in Iowa for confirmation. The small hobby flock consisted of chickens, ducks and geese. A surveillance zone is being established.
The last confirmed-positive HPAI case in Indiana was June 8.
HOBBY/BACKYARD FLOCK SURVEILLANCE: Testing of nearby flocks is important to verifying the virus has not spread in the area. BOAH staff will be reaching out to poultry owners within the surveillance zone to schedule testing as part of required area surveillance.
WILD BIRD SURVEILLANCE: USDA Wildlife Services and Indiana Department of Natural Resources are assisting with surveillance of wild birds in and near the control areas. Nearly 300 samples from wild bird species have been tested. Positive test results have been identified in two bald eagles, two red-tailed hawks, a redhead duck, two great-horned owls, and a double-crested cormorant collected in Indiana.
PROGRESS REPORT: Indiana had achieved HPAI-free status on July 21, after all nine commercial flocks completed the virus elimination process and observed a fallow period. Those flocks have been free to restock at their discretion.
BACKGROUND
On Feb. 9, 2022, a confirmed case of H5N1 (with a Eurasian H5 goose/Guangdong lineage) highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was identified in a commercial flock in Dubois County with 29,000 turkeys (known as Dubois 1). This is the first report of HPAI in commercial poultry in the United States since 2020 and the first in Indiana since 2016.
Until the most recent case, the last Indiana flock to test positive was on June 8, when a small NON-POULTRY (hobby) flock in Allen County tested presumptive-positive for the H5 avian influenza virus. The flock (Allen3) had fewer than 50 total chickens and ducks, which were depopulated.
RESPONSE As part of existing avian influenza response plans, federal and state partners are working jointly on additional surveillance and testing in areas around the affected flocks. The United States has the strongest AI surveillance program in the world, and USDA is working with its partners to actively look for the disease in commercial poultry operations, live bird markets and in migratory wild bird populations.
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.
PUBLIC ADVISORIES
As part of existing avian influenza response plans, federal and state partners are working jointly on additional surveillance and testing in areas around the affected flocks. The United States has the strongest AI surveillance program in the world, and USDA is working with its partners to actively look for the disease in commercial poultry operations, live bird markets and in migratory wild bird populations.
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.
PUBLIC ADVISORIES
Food Safety
Avian influenza does not present a food safety risk; poultry and eggs are safe to eat. Officials are not aware of any public health significance with this virus. No cases of human infection have been reported. Human health agencies will be monitoring workers and others in contact with birds to monitor for influenza-like illness.
Animal Health
Hobby 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; lack of coordination; and diarrhea. A great resource for backyard bird health information is online at: https://bit.ly/3CMjQsM.
Situation updates and status reports about ongoing avian influenza activities, along with critical disease-related information, will be posted online at: https://bit.ly/3e9iVIx. Users may subscribe to email and/or text updates on a subscribe link at that page.
Wild Bird Health
Wild bird species most likely to carry HPAI, waterbirds and raptors, do not typically visit bird feeders.
If people see sick or dead songbirds, Indiana Department of Natural Resources recommends:
- Clean bird feeders by removing all debris and scrubbing them clean (while wearing gloves to prevent Salmonella infection); soak the feeders in a diluted bleach solution no stronger than 1 part bleach to 9 parts water; then rinse and dry feeders completely before adding food.
- Keep bird feeders down until sick birds are no longer seen.
- Once the feeders are back up, monitor the area for additional sick birds.
- Report any additional sick or dead birds through DNR's online sick and dead wildlife reporting system: https://bit.ly/3cB0Sum
More information about avian influenza and wild birds: https://bit.ly/3Q2FWdi
Human Health
Recent detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza A H5N1 viruses (H5N1 bird flu) in wild birds and poultry pose a low risk to the health of the general public; however, rare human infections are possible. Human infections are most likely to be rare and happen in people with recreational or occupational exposures involving prolonged, unprotected close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments. CDC is taking routine preparedness measures to be ready in case human infections with these viruses happen. IDOH offers the following guidance documents for poultry growers and emergency responders to protect their health:
Mental Health
Community members who are affected by this animal health emergency are to be aware of the possible impact on their mental health and to seek assistance if needed. Available resources include:
- Be Well Indiana: Feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious or alone? Call this free, confidential resource available 24/7 to anyone in the state of Indiana. Call 2-1-1 and enter your ZIP code. Follow the prompts and select number 3 for the Be Well Crisis Helpline.
- Farm Aid: This organization connects farmers with helpful services, resources and opportunities specific to their individual needs. Call the Farmer Hotline for immediate assistance Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time. Call 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243).
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. Dial 9-8-8 or call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
Indiana is a leading producer of poultry, eggs and poultry products. Nationally, Indiana ranks number 1 in production of ducks, second in layer chickens and table eggs, and third in turkeys, as well as a major producer of broilers. Dubois County is Indiana's leading turkey-producing county.
Categories: Indiana, Livestock, Poultry