GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Since its start in early 2022, this highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak has had ebbs and flows. Currently, the number of detected cases has decreased, but HPAI isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Indiana has returned to the headlines for HPAI detections, specifically in LaGrange and Elkhart counties. Commercial duck meat, breeder, and egg layer facilities have all been hit by the virus.
Since May 4, more than 100,000 birds have been affected by HPAI in Indiana, according to data from the Indiana State Board of Animal Health. Before May 4, the state had gone a whole month without a detection, but after the month of respite from the virus, there has been a detection almost every other day.
Indiana isn’t the only state with recent HPAI detections. North and South Dakota have also experienced new detections.
According to USDA data, on April 21, both states were affected by the virus. In Edmunds County, S.D., more than 31,000 hens were affected at a commercial turkey breeder facility. As of May 14, the control area has been released for this detection.
In Lamoure County, N.D., more than 25,000 birds were affected at a commercial turkey meat facility, USDA data states. The control area is still active for this detection. In total for the Dakotas, more than 57,000 birds were affected by HPAI.
Minnesota is the only other state that has had recent HPAI detections. The state has had detections on April 17, May 15, and, most recently, May 20, according to USDA data.
The first detection on April 17 was in Big Stone County at a commercial turkey meat facility. More than 60,000 birds were affected. As of May 8, the control area has been released for this detection, USDA data states.
The May detections were all in Becker County. On May 15, there were two detections at separate locations, a commercial breeder operation and a commercial turkey breeder replacement facility. Just on this one day, more than 42,000 birds were affected, according to USDA data.
The May 20 detection also occurred at a commercial breeder operation, where more than 4,000 birds were affected.
Although it seemed like the HPAI outbreak was finally calming down, this recent flare up is a reminder of how dangerous this virus can be for the poultry industry.
On May 22, APHIS reported that for the previous 30 days there have been 11 commercial flocks and 7 backyard flocks affected by HPAI. Commercial flocks include 7 in Indiana and 4 in Minnesota. These combined national confirmations totaled 160,000 affected birds.
For more information on bird flu, visit APHIS at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza.
