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Updated - Jan 19, 6:20 am
It could take some time to contain what state health officials are describing as one of the worst avian flu outbreaks to hit Indiana.
Dozens of USDA officials have been deployed in the state as part of a joint incident response to the flu, which has affected 245,000 commercial turkeys and 156,000 commercial chickens so far.
An estimated 119,500 birds have been euthanized so far at four locations.
In the last 24 hours there have been 100 negative tests.
No human cases have been reported.
Updated – 1:30 pm
At least ten commercial turkey farms in the Dubois County area have now tested positive for avian flu.
The total number of birds affected totaled 240,900. An estimated 119,500 birds have been euthanized on four premises.
“Any movement off this farm of birds has stopped,” says Denise Derrer, with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health.” These birds are going to be depopulated as part of the requirement under international trade agreements. And so that is kind of the protocol for this disease so it doesn’t move any farther.”
The control area is primarily in Dubois County, and has expanded to include parts of Crawford, Daviess, Martin and Orange counties. All infected sites are in Dubois County.
No human cases have been reported.
“The State Health Department is working closely with us to monitor anybody who has had contact with the birds, and verify if they do get sick, is it because of that,” Derrer says. “And make sure there’s proper treatment if it happens.”
Dubois County is Indiana’s largest turkey-producing county, growing 1.4 million birds annually.
Health officials say Avian influenza does not present a food safety risk.
“Your poultry products are safe,” says Derrer. “Your eggs are safe. Chicken, turkey, just keep eating it, it’s not a human health risk and certainly not a food safety risk.”
Governor Mike Pence toured the area Saturday and said the focus right now is a “multi-agency” effort to stop the spread of the disease and work on containment.
“The poultry industry is vital to Indiana and we are bringing all necessary resources to deal with this situation,” said Pence.
It will be several weeks before testing is concluded, but containment efforts appear to be working. In the last 24 hours, there’s been 100 negative tests.
Indiana ranks fourth in the nation in turkey production.
This is the first time a commercial flock in Indiana has ever received bird flu.
