US Officials Note a Handful Of New Avian Flu Outbreaks At Poultry Facilities

By Stephanie Soucheray

Highly pathogenic avian flu has affected a handful of commercial poultry operations recently, per the latest updates from the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). In the past 30 days, the virus has been detected among eight commercial and six backyard flocks, affecting a total of 250,000 birds. 

The largest, most recent confirmation comes from Elkhart, Indiana, where 29,800 birds at a commercial duck meat facility were hit with the H5N1 strain. Becker, Minnesota, reported an outbreak at a commercial breeder operation affecting 19,200 birds.

The year 2015 was just before a national election – which have major influences on policy paths, administration goals, and how farmers feel about their future.