June 24, 2004

Another Case Of Bird Flu Discovered In US State Texas
 

US animal health officials said Wednesday a small flock of chickens and ducks infected with avian influenza was destroyed in northeast Texas this week.

The flock was found less than five miles from a commercial operation where 48,000 breeding chickens were destroyed in May, the Texas Animal Health Commission said.

The Hopkins County bird flu case is the second incident discovered in Texas this year. About 6,600 chickens were destroyed in February about 300 miles south near San Antonio.

State and federal investigators have been in Hopkins County testing flocks since the first outbreak. They were about to complete a second round when a positive test was reported, said Dr. Max Coats, deputy director of the Texas commission.

Coats said the infected non-commercial flock was one of more than 315 in a 300-square mile area that tested negative a little more than two weeks ago. He said additional testing will now be required to assure the safety of the flocks.

If the weather remains favorable and no more infection is discovered in the area, all testing should be completed by the end of July.