Tests indicate the presence of H7 in the flock
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com
A strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was detected on a chicken flock in Lincoln County, Tennessee.
According to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, a facility alerted the state veterinarian’s office after increased chicken fatalities. Tests confirm the presence of H7 HPAI in the flock of about 73,500 birds.
The facility, along with about 30 other farms, are under quarantine. The infected flock is being depopulated and tests are ongoing.
“Although this is a situation no state wants to face, Tennessee has been actively preparing to respond to HPAI since it was first identified as a threat,” Jai Templeton, Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture, said in a release.
This marks the first time HPAI has been discovered in the state but low pathogenic strains have been found in the past.
“Animal health is our top priority,” state veterinarian Dr. Charles Hatcher, DVM said in the release. “With this HPAI detection, we are moving quickly and aggressively to prevent the virus from spreading.”
The farm's poultry are contracted to Tyson Foods. The company said in a statement it’s a “bird health issue and not a food safety or human health issue,” and that it doesn’t expect any disruption in business.
Upon confirmation of the discovery, other states are reminding farmers about biosecurity practices, especially since the Tennessee falls within the Mississippi Flyway.
In a Virginia Department of Agriculture release, state veterinarian Dr. Charles Broaddus reminds farmers not to share equipment between flocks, to prevent poultry from accessing areas where waterfowl may be present and to wear clean clothes when handling poultry.
The Tennessee Poultry Association is hosting a press conference this afternoon to provide updates on the situation.
Farms.com will have those updates as they become available.