More than 800,000 birds on commercial poultry farms across two counties in northern Indiana have been depopulated due to the bird flu virus since Oct. 9, according to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health.
A total of 802,854 birds across 62 different commercial farms have been impacted since the virus, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was detected for the first time since May on a farm in LaGrange County.
All of the cases have been found in Elkhart and LaGrange counties are affecting commercial egg layer facilities and commercial meat duck farms. Two of the 62 farms—both in LaGrange County—are reported to be commercial broilers.
So far, there have been no reports of any turkey production facilities in Indiana that have been impacted by the virus, given the proximity to the Thanksgiving holiday. Indiana ranks fourth in the U.S. for turkey production.
The recent number of poultry farms and total number of birds affected 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.
State health officials say each facility that has a positive test must be quarantined and each of the birds are depopulated.
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.
