An estimated 114,400 turkeys have been affected in two new cases of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza, confirmed on May 22 by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Both cases occurred in commercial flocks in Iowa.
One case was confirmed in Calhoun County, Iowa, the first for that county. There, a flock of 14,400 turkeys was confirmed to have contracted the virus. The second case occurred in Sac County, Iowa, involving a flock of 100,000 turkeys. That was the sixth H5N2 avian influenza detection in that county, according to APHIS.
With the two newest avian influenza detections, APHIS has now confirmed 179 cases in the United States in 2015, involving more than 40.7 million birds. Avian influenza has been found in 20 states, as well as in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Ontario.
The affected premises have been quarantined and birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flocks will not enter the food system.
To track confirmed cases of the North American avian influenza outbreak, see WATTAgNet's avian influenza tracker map and bookmark the avian influenza update page for news about and analysis of avian influenza.
