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HPAI found in second commercial duck flock in Indiana  

Biosecurity efforts continue in northern Indiana after a second commercial duck flock in Elkhart County tested presumptive positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The flock has about 6,000 ducks and the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) is working to establish a six-mile control area and notify flock owners.

A flock of about 4,000 ducks tested positive for HPAI on April 8. Public Information Director Denise Derrer Spears says the first round of testing in that control area is complete.

“Anything that moves in and out of the control when it comes to eggs, birds, feathers, manure, and more has to have a permit with it and the permit can’t be issued until there’s a negative test associated with it,” she says. “So, whatever is moving can’t come from a positive flock. The farms up in that area did a great job because everyone had to get at least one round of testing and be negative and that was done.”

Nearly 80 commercial flocks were located within the first six-mile control area.

Hobby poultry owners in Elkhart County should contact BOAH at 317-544-2387 to schedule complimentary testing. USDA Wildlife Services is assisting with surveillance of wild birds around the control areas. About 220 samples have been tested. State officials say results have been negative for all samples except for a single redhead duck. 

Indiana is a leading producer of poultry, eggs and poultry products. Nationally, Indiana ranks number 1 in ducks, second in layer chickens and table eggs, and third in turkeys.

Eight premises in three counties in Indiana have tested positive for HPAI. So far, more than 171,000 commercial turkeys and more than 10,000 ducks have been affected in the state.