State of Indiana Response to    Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza   

Note on content presented in this update:

Details disclosed here will be updated on BOAH’s website after test results are confirmed at the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory.

This policy will keep BOAH’s website consistent with USDA’s reporting and to avoid impacting international trade. 

Note:  New information is highlighted in BOLD ITALIC type.

  STATEWIDE SUMMARY:

Total number of affected premises =6 

Total number of affected counties = 2

Premises by County/Number of flocks

Dubois: 4  

Greene: 2:  All control areas lifted; G1 and G2 still quarantined 

Total number of birds affected in Indiana

Commercial Turkeys: 171,224

CURRENT SITUATION

The control areas surrounding Greene County site G1 and G2 have been lifted as of March 15, 2022. Commercial farms in the control areas are no longer under quarantine, weekly and bi-weekly surveillance testing is no longer required, and movement permits are eliminated. Surveillance of backyard flocks in the control areas is wrapping up this week; owners will receive notice of the quarantine release by mail. 

The G1 and G2 farms remain under quarantine until the final steps of the flock plan are complete. Final activities include compost disposal, virus elimination, environmental sampling for the presence of the virus, and a fallow period.

To lift the Greene County control areas, USDA requires the following conditions:

SURVEILLANCE TESTING:  Testing of flocks in the control areas is important to verifying the virus has not spread in the area. Testing within the 10-km control area and the additional 10-km surveillance zone will continue until restrictions are lifted. Total number of laboratory tests run:

Tests of commercial flocks:  1,314

Tests of hobby/backyard flocks:  307

HOBBY/BACKYARD FLOCK SURVEILLANCE:  BOAH staff continue to reach out to known hobby/backyard poultry owners in the control areas to schedule testing of birds to ensure the virus is not present. To date, 89 hobby flocks have been sampled; laboratory testing determined them as negative. Hobby poultry owners in Southern Dubois County or Greene County should contact BOAH at 317-544-2387 to schedule testing at no charge.

WILD BIRD SURVEILLANCE:  USDA Wildlife Services is assisting with the surveillance of wild birds in and near the control areas. Samples from waterfowl, pigeons, European starlings, and other species have been submitted for laboratory testing; results are currently pending but will be reported when they become available.

As of 7 March 2022, the available epidemiologic data and analysis of over 200 full genome H5N1 HPAI sequences from wild and domestic birds supports independent wild bird introduction(s) for the initial detection in Dubois County and both detections in Greene County. The analysis will continue as data are available.

BACKGROUND

On Feb. 9, 2022, a confirmed case of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was identified in a single commercial turkey flock in Dubois County. This is the first report of HPAI in commercial poultry in the United States since 2020 and the first in Indiana since 2016.

Samples were collected from the birds on Feb. 7 and submitted to the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) at Purdue University after approximately one hundred birds died, the flock appeared lethargic, and decreased consumption of water. Tests indicated a likely infection of an H5 avian influenza virus. Under standard protocols, the results were reported to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH), which authorized prompt transport of the samples to US Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, IA for confirmatory testing.

NVSL confirmed that the virus present was a highly pathogenic strain of H5N1 (with a Eurasian H5 goose/Guangdong lineage). Upon confirmation of HPAI, the 29,000 turkeys in the flock (known as Dubois 1) were depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease in the area.

On Feb. 15 laboratory testing of a second commercial flock of turkeys in Dubois County has identified the H5 avian influenza virus (known as Dubois2). Upon confirmation of HPAI, the 26,473 turkeys in the flock were depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease in the area.

On Feb. 17, laboratory testing of a commercial flock of turkeys in Greene County has identified the H5 avian influenza virus (known as Greene1). A total of 48,000 turkeys in the flock were depopulated.  Control area lifted on March 15; quarantine of site remains intact.

On Feb. 18, laboratory testing identified H5 avian influenza (AI) in a commercial turkey flock in Greene County (known as Greene2). A total of 15,400 turkeys were depopulated. Control area lifted on March 15; quarantine of site remains intact.

On Feb. 22, laboratory testing identified H5 AI in commercial turkeys in Dubois County (Dubois3) about 2.5 miles west of Dubois1. H5N1 was subsequently confirmed by NVSL on Feb. 24. A total of 35,908 turkeys were depopulated.

On March 1, laboratory testing identified H5 AI in commercial turkeys in Dubois County (Dubois4) about 6/10-mile from Dubois1.  A total of 16,479 birds were depopulated. H5N1 was confirmed by NVSL on Mar. 1.

A 10-km control area (CA) is established around each HPAI-affected flock. All commercial flocks in the control areas must be tested for avian influenza at least weekly. Small, hobby flocks are also subject to testing. A surveillance zone is also established in the 10-km circle beyond the control area. Flocks in the surveillance zone must be tested every other week.

RESPONSE

As part of existing avian influenza response plans, federal and state partners are working jointly on additional surveillance and testing in areas around the affected flocks. The United States has the strongest AI surveillance program in the world, and USDA is working with its partners to actively look for the disease in commercial poultry operations, live bird markets, and in migratory wild bird populations.

BOAH is working with multiple state and federal partners to respond to this event, including the Indiana Department of Health, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, and USDA Veterinary Services, Wildlife Services , and Farm Service Agency.

PUBLIC ADVISORIES

Food Safety

Avian influenza does not present a food safety risk; poultry and eggs are safe to eat. Officials are not aware of any public health significance with this virus. No cases of human infection have been reported. Human health agencies will be monitoring workers and others in contact with birds to monitor for influenza-like illnesses.

Animal Health

Hobby poultry owners are encouraged to be aware of the signs of avian influenza and report illness and/or death to the USDA Healthy Birds Hotline:  866-536-7593. Callers will be routed to a state or federal veterinarian in Indiana for a case assessment. Dead birds should be double-bagged and refrigerated for possible testing.       Signs include  sudden death without clinical signs; lack of energy or appetite; decreased egg production; soft-shelled or misshapen eggs; swelling or purple discoloration of the head, eyelids, comb, hocks; nasal discharge; coughing; sneezing; lack of coordination; and diarrhea. A great resource for backyard bird health information is online at: www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/defend-the-flock-program/dtf-resources/dtf-resources.       Situation updates and status reports about ongoing avian influenza activities, along with critical disease-related information, will be posted online at:  https://www.in.gov/boah/species-information/avianbirds/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza/. Users may subscribe to email and/or text updates on a subscribe link at that page.