Mutating avian influenza virus
"It appears that there was a low pathogenic virus circulating in the poultry population in this area, and that virus likely mutated into a highly pathogenic virus in one flock," said Dr John Clifford, USDA chief veterinarian. "Through cooperative industry, state and federal efforts, we were able to quickly identify and isolate the highly pathogenic case, and depopulate that flock."
Turkey carcasses are undergoing in-house composting and the commercial layers were transported to a land fill. Serological monitoring will continue within the 10 km controlled area and the additional 10 km surveillance zone.
State and Federal officials visited 1,945 residences in the 10 km control area and identified 105 backyard flocks which were monitored for the presence of AI without demonstrating any evidence of infection