By Andi Anderson
Indiana has reached a promising milestone — more than a month without a reported bird flu outbreak in domesticated flocks. According to the state’s Board of Animal Health, the last confirmed case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) occurred on March 28 in Kosciusko County at a commercial egg pullet facility.
Denise Derrer Spears, public information director for the board, attributed the slowdown in part to seasonal changes. “Wild birds have been the major source for the infections on the farms,” she said. “As we get past migration season, and those birds stop moving as much, that gives us more hope that we can get farther down the road and hopefully get through this summer without any new cases.”
Earlier this year, Indiana experienced nearly weekly bird flu outbreaks. Since January 1, a total of 27 commercial and hobby flocks were affected by the virus.
Though no new cases have appeared in domestic flocks recently, officials emphasize that the virus is still present. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources continues to monitor wild birds and recently confirmed HPAI in Noble and Porter counties.
Since 2022, more than 8.5 million birds in Indiana have been lost to bird flu. While the recent decline in new outbreaks is a positive sign, ongoing vigilance remains essential.
The absence of recent domestic cases offers a moment of relief for Indiana’s poultry producers, but state officials and farmers remain on alert. Continued biosecurity and monitoring efforts will be key to preventing future outbreaks as summer approaches.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-wikoski
Categories: Indiana, Livestock