Indiana has achieved HPAI-free status, which will allow the state's poultry industry to resume international trade. However, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health has warned that the HPAI-free status is not a guarantee that the risk of the disease is over in Indiana or the US. Flock owners of all sizes must remain vigilant in implementing biosecurity measures to prevent the virus's introduction.
While Indiana's poultry industry can celebrate the HPAI-free status, the virus is still very active in the US, with new cases identified as recently as last week. Wild birds infected with HPAI have been found from coast to coast in various species, including waterfowl, raptors, and other common species.
Indiana is a major poultry producer, ranking first in the production of ducks and second in layer chickens and table eggs nationally. While achieving HPAI-free status is a significant achievement, the threat of HPAI remains. To minimize wild-bird exposure to poultry, steps should be taken to prevent contact as much as possible.
Photo Credit: GettyImages-wikoski
Categories: Indiana, Livestock, Poultry