Since October 9, state health officials have reported that 18 commercial poultry farms in northern Indiana with a total of 202,897 birds have been impacted by the virus known as bird flu.
All of the cases have been found in Elkhart and LaGrange counties affecting commercial egg layer facilities and commercial meat duck farms.
The recent number of poultry farms and total number of birds affected so far will likely have a significant economic impact on the state’s poultry industry. Indiana ranks first in the U.S. for duck production and third for egg production, according to USDA.
October 9th marked the first positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Indiana since May.
The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) announced on Tuesday evening that three new commercial poultry farms had positive tests for HPAI:
- County: LaGrange
Flock Size: 8,306
Type of Operation: Commercial Meat Duck - County: LaGrange 13
Flock Size: 8,380
Type of Operation: Commercial Meat Duck - County: LaGrange 14
Flock Size: 18,325
Type of Operation: Commercial Egg Layer
Throughout 2025, there have now been a total of 35 cases of HPAI identified at major commercial poultry facilities throughout Indiana, excluding hobby flocks and small non-commercial farms.
Federal officials with USDA add that HPAI does not present a food safety risk, and that cooked poultry and eggs and pasteurized dairy products remain safe to eat.
Testing will be done at nearby flocks to determine whether HPAI has spread. USDA Wildlife Services and Indiana Department of Natural Resources are assisting with surveillance of wild birds in and near the control areas.
