USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service today confirmed highly pathogenic H7N8 avian influenza in a commercial turkey flock in southern Indiana. USDA says this is a different strain of HPAI than the strains that caused the 2015 outbreak.
Samples from the turkey flock, which experienced increased mortality, were tested at the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University, which is a part of USDA’s National Animal Health Laboratory Network. APHIS is working closely with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health on a joint incident response.
State officials quarantined the affected premises and depopulation of birds on the premises has already begun. Depopulation prevents the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system.