Avian flu found in Daviess County flock
A commercial turkey operation in Daviess County has been quarantined after testing positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
According to state officials, the affected premises — identified as Daviess 03 — houses 30,033 birds. A 10-kilometer control area and a 20-kilometer surveillance zone have been established, covering portions of Daviess and Martin counties.
The case is part of the ongoing H5N1 avian influenza outbreak that has impacted more than 2,000 premises across all 50 states since February 2022. Federal officials have described the current outbreak as the largest animal health emergency in U.S. history. Infected wild birds have been detected coast to coast in species including waterfowl, raptors and other common birds, and cases have also been identified in several mammal species, including dairy cattle and humans.
The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) is working with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other partners to conduct additional surveillance and testing in the area surrounding the affected flock. Officials said the United States maintains one of the world’s most robust avian influenza surveillance programs, monitoring commercial poultry operations, live bird markets and migratory wild bird populations.
BOAH staff will contact owners of non-commercial flocks within the surveillance zones to offer testing and verify the virus has not spread. The USDA’s Wildlife Services division and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources are assisting with surveillance of wild birds in and around the control areas.
State officials also announced that Indiana Grade A dairy farms located within control areas will be tested for HPAI. Under a federal order, lactating dairy cattle must test negative before moving across state lines. USDA has expanded milk testing at both farm and processor levels to help determine herd and state health status.
Officials emphasized that avian influenza does not present a food safety risk. Properly cooked poultry and eggs, as well as pasteurized dairy products, remain safe to consume.
Hobby poultry owners are encouraged to monitor their birds closely and report illness or sudden death to the USDA Healthy Birds Hotline at 866-536-7593. Signs of infection can include sudden death without symptoms, decreased egg production, swelling or discoloration of the head, respiratory distress, lack of coordination and diarrhea. Dead birds should be double-bagged and refrigerated for possible testing.
The Indiana Department of Health is monitoring individuals who may have been exposed to infected animals. Health officials say the risk to the general public remains low, and no human cases associated with this incident have been reported in Indiana. Human infections are rare and typically occur after prolonged, unprotected close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments.
State agencies said updates on the situation will be posted to BOAH’s avian influenza webpage.
Indiana is a leading producer of poultry and eggs, ranking first nationally in duck production, third in egg production and third in turkey production.
