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Ohio monitoring avian flu case in Indiana
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
State agriculture officials are keeping a close eye on a confirmed case of avian flu in southern Indiana, weeks after Ohio lifted a state ban on poultry displays at fairs, auctions and other events.
Erica Hawkins, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Agriculture, said in a statement the agency has not changed its decision on poultry showings.
She added, “We are watching this event in Indiana closely. This is a new flu strain and different from the strain that caused the outbreaks last year. The department will continue to monitor the situation and make decisions on any statewide restrictions needs to protect our poultry flocks as the situation unfolds.”
She added, “At this time, no changes have been made to the statewide ban, but we are continuing to monitor the situation closely to determine if changes are needed.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on Friday confirmed the highly pathogenic avian influenza strain in a commercial turkey flock in Dubois County, Ind., which is about midway between Louisville, Ky., and Evansville, Ind.
The farm in question was quarantined, and birds on the premises are being destroyed. State and federal officials also have increased testing of other flocks in the vicinity.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture banned live-bird displays at county fairs, livestock auctions and other events last year, after avian-flu outbreaks in other states that led to the destruction of nearly 50 million chickens, turkeys and other birds.
No cases of avian flu were confirmed in Ohio.
An outbreak would be devastating. Ohio is the second-largest egg producer in the country, with 28 million laying chickens. The state’s poultry industry employs more than 14,600 people and pumps $2.3 billion into the state’s economy, according to statistics compiled by the state agriculture department.
The poultry ban was lifted last month, though state officials urged 4-H members, poultry farmers and others to “remain vigilant and cautious” with their flocks to prevent infections.