February 10, 2022

US detects first bird flu outbreak at a commercial poultry farm since 2020

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed the country's first highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak at a commercial poultry farm since 2020, Reuters reported.

The outbreak, detected at an Indiana state turkey farm, resulted in swift reaction from importers. China and Korea announced a ban on non-heated poultry meat imports from Indiana, while Taiwan blocked all poultry meat and egg products imported from the state, said the USDA.

The H5N1 outbreak was Indiana state's first case of highly pathogenic bird flu in commercial poultry since 2016, when 400,000 birds were killed.

Jim Sumner, president of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, said the H5N1 strain has been spreading across Asia and Europe, adding that China's import ban will likely remain for 90 days.

Indiana state officials said all 29,000 turkeys at the farm will be culled to stop the spread of the virus.

Sumner said the Indiana outbreak indicates the bird flu strain has passed a migratory pathway for birds called the Mississippi Flyway. The pathway includes other poultry producing states like Mississippi.

Indiana is the third biggest producer of turkey in the US, the biggest duck producer, and second biggest producer in table eggs and egg-laying chickens.

-      Reuters