WattAgNet: Avian flu control zone expanded in Indiana

Written January 20, 2016 By Roy Graber
Animal health officials survey birds beyond customary 10-kilometer area

In an effort to better control the possible spread of H7N8 avian influenza in Indiana, veterinary officials have expanded the control zone beyond the typical 10-kilometer or 6.2-mile radius that is customary with avian influenza infections.

“We’re trying to be really aggressive on this and just make sure that we’ve stamped out this virus,” Denise Derrer, spokesperson for the Indiana State Board of Animal Health told USDA Radio News. “In addition to that 6.2 mile control area, we’ve also expanded another 6.2 miles or 20 kilometers out from the center and doing additional testing of commercial operations in that whole area.”

A case of highly pathogenic H7N8 avian influenza was confirmed by the USDA Animal and Plant Health (APHIS) in a commercial turkey flock in Dubois County, Indiana, on January 15. Following that confirmation, the presence of H7N8 avian influenza was detected in nine other nearby turkey flocks. Eight of those flocks tested positive for a low pathogenic strain of H7N8 avian influenza, while the strain present in those other flocks has yet to be determined.

APHIS and the Indiana State Board of Animal Health have been working together as part of a joint incident response team.

See the WATTAgNet avian influenza update page and 2016 avian influenza outbreak map to keep up-to-date on the virus and its impact on the poultry industry.