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Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza diagnosed in Indiana poultry flock
A commercial turkey farm in Dubois County has tested positive for highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, according to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health.
BOAH was notified by the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory.
A veterinarian delivered samples from the flock to the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University for testing after about one hundred birds died. The farm is under quarantine and BOAH is working with the industry to increase monitoring statewide.
This is the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in commercial poultry in the United States since 2020. The last significant finding of HPAI in Indiana was in Dubois County in 2016, when 11 poultry farms were affected by the H7N8 strain of the disease that resulted in a loss of more than 400,000 birds.
Indiana’s poultry industry ranks third nationally in turkey production, first in duck production, second in table eggs and egg-laying chickens, and is a significant producer of broiler chickens. The poultry industry employs more than 14,000 Hoosiers and is valued at $2.5 billion.
To report illness or death in flocks call the USDA Healthy Birds Hotline at 866-536-7593.
Avian influenza does not present a food safety risk. Poultry and eggs are safe to eat when handled and cooked properly. No human cases of avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States.