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HPAI confirmed on Tennessee commercial breeder flock farm

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been found in the US broiler industry for the first time.  On Sunday, the USDA confirmed the diagnosis of H7 HPAI in a breeder flock farm in southern Tennessee.

Dr. Charles Hatcher, Tennessee state veterinarian says following the 2015 national outbreak of H5 avian flu, the state put protocols into place in case an outbreak occurred.  “We’re doing testing and surveillance in the area around this particular commercial facility,” he says.  “It depends on what we find to how long this testing and surveillance will take and how long this whole outbreak will take to contain.”

Before this outbreak, the most recent detection was in January 2016 in a commercial turkey flock in Indiana.

Indiana state veterinarian Dr. Bret Marsh says poultry producers should be on high alert as birds begin to migrate north.

He tells Brownfield that means implementing strict biosecurity measures.  “Any breach in the biosecurity practice may introduce this virus,” he says.  “We believe that these virus’ and the data continues to suggest it’s a wild bird origin.  Particularly in wild waterfowl.  We are diligent in watching for those birds and how that virus may be moved into these buildings.”

AUDIO: Dr. Bret Marsh, Indiana state veterinarian

The flock at the infected site in Tennessee is being depopulated and along with approximately 30 other facilities within a 6 mile radius of the site, will remain under quarantine and be monitored.  If any birds show signs of illness, producers should contact their state veterinarian’s office.

HPAI does NOT pose a risk to the food supply.