Announcement

**Pathfinder** · January 15, 2016, 12:29 PM

HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA
...

Hotlines

Report dead poultry	1-866-536-7593
Report dead wild birds (5 or more dead wild birds)	812-334-1137 dfwinput@dnr.IN.gov
Information	http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov/

...
Affected Counties 2016

County	Date Confirmed Positive	Number of Poultry	Type of Operation	Status
Dubois	Jan. 14, 2016	60,000	Commercial Turkey	Currently being depopulated

Current Statewide Situation
Total number of affected premises = 1
Total number of affected counties = 1
Premises by County/Number of flocks
Dubois : 1
Total number of birds affected in Indiana
Commercial Turkey: 60,000
_________________
Total: 60,000

...
http://www.in.gov/boah/2390.htm

**Pathfinder** · January 15, 2016, 01:02 PM

CDC -

Influenza Type A Viruses
...
Influenza A H7

There are nine known subtypes of H7 viruses (H7N1, H7N2, H7N3, H7N4, H7N5, H7N6, H7N7, H7N8, and H7N9). Most H7 viruses identified worldwide in wild birds and poultry are LPAI viruses. H7 virus infection in humans is uncommon, but has been documented in persons who have direct contact with infected birds, especially during outbreaks of H7 virus among poultry. Illness in humans may include conjunctivitis and/or upper respiratory tract symptoms.

In humans, LPAI (H7N2, H7N3, H7N7) virus infections have caused mild to moderate illness.

HPAI (H7N3, H7N7) virus infections have caused mild to severe and fatal illness.

On April 1, 2013, the first known human cases of infection with avian influenza H7N9 viruses were reported in China. These were associated with severe respiratory illness and death.
...
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/infl...s-subtypes.htm

**Pathfinder** · January 15, 2016, 01:24 PM

Michael R. Pence, Governor
Bret D. Marsh, DVM, State Veterinarian

NOTE TO MEDIA: Direct all media inquiries, including interview requests,
to the Indiana Joint Information Center (JIC) at: 317-238-1784 or email: jic@jic.in.gov
General updates are available online at: www.in.gov/boah/2390.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Highly Pathogenic H7N8 Avian Influenza Diagnosed in Indiana Poultry Flock

INDIANAPOLIS ( 15 January 2016)?The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) has been notified by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture?s National Veterinary Services Laboratory that poultry from a commercial turkey
farm in Dubois County has tested positive for highly pathogenic H7N8 avian influenza.

Avian influenza does not present a food safety risk; poultry and eggs are safe to eat. The Centers for Disease
Control considers the risk of illness to humans to be very low.

A company veterinarian delivered samples from the flock to the laboratory for testing, after several hundred
birds died.

?This finding of highly pathogenic H7N8 is unique to Indiana and the nation,? said Indiana State Veterinarian
Bret D. Marsh, DVM. ?This strain is unrelated to those identified in the Upper Midwest in 2015, nor is it related
to the HPAI case identified in a Northeastern Indiana backyard poultry flock that was affected last May.?

Indiana Governor Mike Pence stated, ?Indiana is one of the largest poultry states in America, and I have directed
all relevant agencies to bring the full resources of the state of Indiana to bear on containing and resolving the
issue as quickly as possible. Multiple state agencies have been heavily focused for nearly a year on the necessary
steps in this type of event, including the State Board of Animal Health, Indiana State Department of Agriculture,
Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Indiana Department
of Environmental Management, Indiana State Poultry Association, and several private sector partners. Hoosiers
can be assured that we are taking all precautions to contain the situation and minimize the effects to Indiana?s
robust poultry industry.?

Indiana?s poultry industry ranks fourth nationally in turkey production, first in duck production, third in eggs, and
is a significant producer of broiler chickens. The poultry industry employs more than 14,000 Hoosiers and is
valued at $2.5 billion.

REPORTING

Backyard poultry owners are encouraged to be aware of the signs of avian influenza and report illness and/or
death to the USDA Healthy Birds Hotline: 866-536-7593. Callers will be routed to a state or federal veterinarian
in Indiana for a case assessment. Dead birds should be double-bagged and refrigerated for possible testing.

Signs include: sudden death without clinical signs; lack of energy or appetite; decreased egg production; softshelled
or misshapen eggs; swelling or purple discoloration of head, eyelids, comb, hocks; nasal discharge;
coughing; sneezing; incoordination; and diarrhea. A great resource for backyard bird health information is online
at: www.healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov

UPDATES and INFORMATION:

Situation updates and status reports about ongoing avian influenza activities, along with critical disease-related
information, will be posted online at: www.in.gov/boah/2390.htm . Users may subscribe to email updates on a
link at that page.
###

BACKGROUND:

This marks the first case of HPAI in Indiana in 2016. While the disease was found on 219 sites in 16
states in the United States last year, Indiana had only one backyard flock of 76 birds affected in 2015.

This event marks the first case in a commercial flock in Indiana.

http://www.in.gov/boah/files/HPAI_Dubois1_Conf_PR_1-15-16.pdf

**Pathfinder** · January 15, 2016, 01:42 PM

Governor Pence Statement on Case of Avian Influenza in Southwestern Indiana

Start Date: 1/15/2016 Start Time: 12:00 AM
End Date: 1/15/2016

Entry Description

Indianapolis ? Governor Mike Pence today issued the following statement on Indiana?s confirmed case of high pathogenic avian influenza (H7N8) in a commercial turkey flock in southwestern Indiana.

?Indiana is one of the largest poultry states in America, and I have directed all relevant agencies to bring the full resources of the state of Indiana to bear on containing and resolving the issue as quickly as possible. Multiple state agencies have been heavily focused for nearly a year on the necessary steps in this type of event, including the State Board of Animal Health, Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana State Poultry Association, and several private sector partners. Hoosiers can be assured that we are taking all precautions to contain the situation and minimize the effects to Indiana?s robust poultry industry."

Events Calendar

http://www.in.gov/activecalendar/EventList.aspx?view=EventDetails&eventidn=241366&information_id=236321&type=&syndicate=syndicate

State of Indiana events updated every day.

**Pathfinder** · January 15, 2016, 02:52 PM

US CDC says closely monitoring outbreak of new bird flu strain

Source: Reuters - Fri, 15 Jan 2016 19:32 GMT

CHICAGO, Jan 15 (Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is closely monitoring individuals who may have been exposed to the new strain of bird flu that has been found in a flock of turkeys in Indiana...

Dr. Michael Jhung, a medical officer at the CDC, said there is no evidence of human infection related to the new bird flu strain known as H7N8, but the agency and local health officials are not taking any chances.

"There's always the possibility of implications to human health when you see a new flu virus in animals...

News Home | Thomson Reuters Foundation News

http://news.trust.org/item/20160115193512-4t397

The Thomson Reuters Foundation stands for free, independent journalism, human rights, women's empowerment, and the rule of law.

**Pathfinder** · January 15, 2016, 05:17 PM

HEALTH
JAN 15 2016, 3:50 PM ET

New Bird Flu Virus Strain Shuts Down Indiana Turkey Farm

by MAGGIE FOX
...
"This particular case is an H7N8 virus. It is a significant virus that does need an immediate response in order to contain it and prevent spread to other facilities," Myers said.
...
The H7N8 strain has been found in wild birds, mostly ducks, in the U.S. but it's been a low-pathogenic strain that doesn't make the birds sick.

Highly pathogenic bird flu is rare in the U.S. and Myers says it's not clear how this particular strain mutated into a highly pathogenic form.
...
This H7N8 strain appears to be of North American origin, although officials are testing it now to find out its precise characteristics. These genetic fingerprints can sometimes give clues as to where a virus came from.
...

New Bird Flu Virus Strain Shuts Down Indiana Turkey Farm

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/new-bird-flu-virus-strain-shuts-down-indiana-turkey-farm-n497531

A new strain of bird flu virus called H7N8 has been found at an Indiana poultry farm, causing the farm to be isolated and the chickens slaughtered.

**Pathfinder** · January 15, 2016, 05:34 PM

Farmer with infected birds: Avian flu ?always a fear?

January 15, 2016
Dave Weatherwax/The Herald
...
Purdue Extension Educator Ken Eck confirmed today there is a case of avian flu in Dubois County, and Dubois farmer Steve Kalb said this afternoon the birds were raised on a farm run by he and his father, Dan. The birds are property of Farbest Foods. Calls this afternoon to Farbest were not answered.

Steve Kalb said he learned Thursday of the infection. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Indiana Board of Health has taken over the process at the farm along East Dubois Road Northwest just outside of town. Kalb and his father had about 60,000 turkeys. Kalb said the plan was to kill the birds.
...
Kalb, 43, said he?s unsure how the virus made its way into his farm, which began when Dan Kalb started it in 1977 and expanded when Steve joined his father in 1993.

?Not sure we?ll ever know,? he said.

The USDA said the affected area has been quarantined and birds from the flock will not enter the food system.

To avoid the risk of spreading the virus, Kalb hasn?t left his farm, where a decontamination zone has been set up near the end of his driveway.
...

https://duboiscountyherald.com/b/avian-flu-found-in-dubois-county

**Pathfinder** · January 15, 2016, 05:47 PM

Farbest Farms, Inc. Press Release:

Avian Flu Detected in Southwest Indiana

January 15, 2016

HUNTINGBURG, Ind. ? As a result of ongoing screening and surveillance testing for avian influenza and other poultry diseases in turkey flocks, according to National Poultry Improvement Plan protocols, a form of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza H7N8 (HPAI) has been detected in turkeys located in Dubois County. This is the first finding of HPAI in commercial turkeys in the state of Indiana.

Farbest Farms, Inc. and the turkey industry are working closely with state and federal officials to keep the public informed and to be sure the best possible steps are being taken to protect the public and animal health. Federal and state officials will be working jointly on additional surveillance and testing in the nearby area, following the existing avian influenza response plan for Indiana.

Samples from the affected flock were tested initially be Farbest Farms, Inc., then confirmatory testing was done by the Avian Diagnostic Lab at Purdue University. Those findings have been confirmed by the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. APHIS and the Indiana State Board of Animal Health have initiated the incident command response, and APHIS will assist in depopulating the remaining birds on the farm to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the affected flock have not and will not enter the food system.

Farbest Farms can assure the public there has been no impact on the safety of our food products. The Center for Disease Control considers the risk to people from the HPAI H7N8 infection to be low. The quick detection by our surveillance protocol has worked as intended and will help protect our flocks and keep our food safe.

For more information about the ongoing avian influenza disease incident in the United States, visit the APHIS website at www.aphis.usda.gov and/or contact Denise Derrer at the Indiana Board of Animal Health at 317-544-2414.

News - Farbest Foods, Inc.

https://farbestfoods.com/news/

To the Farbest Family and Community, Thank you for your tireless dedication and commitment to our company during a time of great uncertainty. We have the awesome responsibility of supplying the world a quality source of protein, and we proudly own that responsibility. Because of the nature of our business and the President’s Executive Order […]

**Pathfinder** · January 18, 2016, 08:53 AM

Highly pathogenic avian influenza,
United States of America

Information received on 15/01/2016 from Dr John Clifford, Deputy Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, United States of America

Summary

Report type	Immediate notification
Date of start of the event	11/01/2016
Date of confirmation of the event	15/01/2016
Report date	15/01/2016
Date submitted to OIE	15/01/2016
Reason for notification	Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence	2015
Manifestation of disease	Clinical disease
Causal agent	Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype	H7N8
Nature of diagnosis	Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to	a defined zone within the country

New outbreaks (1)

Outbreak 1

Dubois County, Dubois, INDIANA

Date of start of the outbreak

11/01/2016

Outbreak status

Continuing (or date resolved not provided)

Epidemiological unit

Farm

Affected animals

Species	Susceptible	Cases	Deaths	Destroyed	Slaughtered
Birds	43500		900	42600	0

Affected population

Commercial turkey flock

Summary of outbreaks

Total outbreaks: 1

Total animals affected

Species	Susceptible	Cases	Deaths	Destroyed	Slaughtered
Birds	43500	**	900	42600	0

Outbreak statistics

Species	Apparent morbidity rate	Apparent mortality rate	Apparent case fatality rate	Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Birds	**	2.07%	**	100.00%

*Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter

**Not calculated because of missing information

Epidemiology

Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection

Unknown or inconclusive

Epidemiological comments

As part of existing avian influenza response plans, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in conjunction with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, are conducting a comprehensive epidemiological investigation in the nearby area, and have begun enhanced surveillance and testing in the area. State officials have quarantined the affected premises and implemented movement controls. Depopulation of birds on the premises is under way. The highly pathogenic H7N8 strain is of North America lineage.

Control measures

Measures applied	Movement control inside the country Quarantine Surveillance outside containment and/or protection zone Stamping out Surveillance within containment and/or protection zone Zoning Vaccination prohibited No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied	Disinfection / Disinfestation Official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste

Diagnostic test results

Laboratory name and type	Species	Test	Test date	Result
National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) (National laboratory)	Birds	real-time reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR)	15/01/2016	Positive
National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) (National laboratory)	Birds	virus isolation		Pending
National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) (National laboratory)	Birds	virus sequencing	15/01/2016	Positive

Future Reporting

The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

.../

403 Access Forbidden

http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Reviewreport/Review?page_refer=MapFullEventReport&reportid=19540

**Pathfinder** · January 18, 2016, 05:05 PM

Mon Jan 18, 2016 8:29am EST Related: HEALTH

U.S. deploys newly minted bird flu plan to protect humans, poultry

CHICAGO | BY TOM POLANSEK AND JULIE STEENHUYSEN
...
ESPECIALLY DEADLY TO POULTRY

Still, people who interacted with infected turkeys were quickly placed under a new monitoring plan developed in response to last year's outbreak, Michael Jhung, a medical officer at the CDC, told Reuters. The agency also plans to conduct lab tests and animal studies of the virus.

Similar H7 viruses - which share the same surface proteins - have caused problems in people ranging from mild, flu-like symptoms to serious respiratory illness, Jhung said.

"We know very little about this particular virus because we haven't seen it, but we want to take as many precautions as we can to prevent any human infections," he said.

There is always uncertainty around any new strain of influenza because the virus acquires mutations passing from host to host.

The Indiana flock appears to have become infected when a less dangerous form of the virus in the area mutated, said John Clifford, the USDA's chief veterinarian.

Limited genetic data from preliminary diagnostic tests last week showed this H7N8 virus originated from North America, while last year's strains had roots in Europe and Asia, government officials said.

North American viruses have typically posed less of a threat to humans than viruses from the Asian Avian H5N1 lineage, said Carol Cardona, an avian flu expert at the University of Minnesota.
...

reuters.com

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-birdflu-strain-idUSKCN0UW1EZ

**Pathfinder** · January 27, 2016, 10:26 AM

Highly pathogenic avian influenza,
United States of America

Information received on 25/01/2016 from Dr John Clifford, Deputy Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, United States of America

Summary

Report type	Follow-up report No. 1
Date of start of the event	11/01/2016
Date of confirmation of the event	15/01/2016
Report date	25/01/2016
Date submitted to OIE	25/01/2016
Reason for notification	Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence	2015
Manifestation of disease	Clinical disease
Causal agent	Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype	H7N8
Nature of diagnosis	Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to	a defined zone within the country
Related reports	Immediate notification (15/01/2016) Follow-up report No. 1 (25/01/2016)

Outbreaks

There are no new outbreaks in this report

Epidemiology

Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection

Unknown or inconclusive

Epidemiological comments

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, continue with the epidemiological investigation, including enhanced surveillance and testing in the area. Surveillance in the control area for the HPAI H7N8 Indiana event identified low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H7N8 in 8 turkey flocks (U.S. immediate notification on 19 January 2016). To date all samples tested for avian influenza have been negative. Depopulation of birds on both the HPAI and on the LPAI premises has been completed with disposal and cleaning and disinfection being initiated. Based on the full genome sequence, the index case in turkeys is a highly pathogenic H7N8, and all eight gene segments are of North American wild bird lineage with high similarity to other wild bird viruses detected in Midwestern and Western states between 2011 and 2013 available in the public database. The subsequent detections of H7N8 low pathogenicity AI are also of North American wild bird lineage with high similarity to other wild bird viruses from Midwestern and Western states between 2011 and 2013 available in the public database. Further analysis is pending.

Control measures

Measures applied	Movement control inside the country Disinfection / Disinfestation Quarantine Surveillance outside containment and/or protection zone Stamping out Official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste Surveillance within containment and/or protection zone Zoning Vaccination prohibited No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied	No other measures

Future Reporting

The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

.../

403 Access Forbidden

http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Reviewreport/Review?page_refer=MapFullEventReport&reportid=19615

**Emily** · February 15, 2016, 04:52 AM

How Hoosier Producers Survived the Avian Flu Outbreak

http://www.hoosieragtoday.com/how-hoosier-producers-survived-the-avian-flu-outbreak/

How Hoosier Producers Survived the Avian Flu Outbreak The Avian Flu outbreak is all but contained in SW Indiana, and the Board of Animal Health is getting ready to lift the quarantine area. HAT talked with one

How Hoosier Producers Survived the Avian Flu Outbreak

By Gary Truitt -
Feb 14, 2016
The Avian Flu outbreak is all but contained in SW Indiana, and the Board of Animal Health is getting ready to lift the quarantine area. ..
...
Dubois County is home to a large Amish community. There was a lot of concern about the large number of backyard poultry flocks that exist in the county. But Ring said, for the most part, they turned out to be an issue, ?They checked 1,900 sites and did not find any infection, so the backyard flocks may not have been as serious of an issue as we had thought.?

**Pathfinder** · February 29, 2016, 01:09 PM

Highly pathogenic avian influenza,
United States of America

Information received on 29/02/2016 from Dr John Clifford, Deputy Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, United States of America

Summary

Report type	Follow-up report No. 4
Date of start of the event	11/01/2016
Date of confirmation of the event	15/01/2016
Report date	29/02/2016
Date submitted to OIE	29/02/2016
Reason for notification	Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence	2015
Manifestation of disease	Clinical disease
Causal agent	Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype	H7N8
Nature of diagnosis	Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to	a defined zone within the country
Related reports	Immediate notification (15/01/2016) Follow-up report No. 1 (25/01/2016) Follow-up report No. 2 (01/02/2016) Follow-up report No. 3 (09/02/2016) Follow-up report No. 4 (29/02/2016)

Outbreaks

There are no new outbreaks in this report

Epidemiology

Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection

Unknown or inconclusive

Epidemiological comments

After meeting the required conditions, the Control Area for the avian influenza event in Indiana was released on February 22, 2016. The conditions met included: - Completion of depopulation activities on infected premises, - Initiation of composting on infected premises, - Completion of initial virus elimination activities, cleaning and disinfection (C&D) and completion of required outbreak surveillance (with no positive results) within the Control Area. The Control Area release lifted movement controls and permit requirements for commercial and backyard premises within this zone. Movement controls and permit requirements remain in place for the index HPAI-H7N8 infected premises and LPAI-H7N8 infected premises. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Departments of Wildlife, and the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, continue to conduct thorough surveillance for avian influenza virus through the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) and the Indiana State Poultry Association. All surveillance samples have tested negative for avian influenza. No new cases of avian influenza have been identified since January 16, 2016.

Control measures

Measures applied	Movement control inside the country Disinfection / Disinfestation Quarantine Surveillance outside containment and/or protection zone Stamping out Official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste Surveillance within containment and/or protection zone Zoning Vaccination prohibited No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied	No other measures

Future Reporting

The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

.../

403 Access Forbidden

http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Reviewreport/Review?page_refer=MapFullEventReport&reportid=19818

Announcement

US - USDA confirms High Pathogenic H7N8 avian flu in commercial turkey flock in Dubois County Indiana - January 15, 2016

US - USDA confirms High Pathogenic H7N8 avian flu in commercial turkey flock in Dubois County Indiana - January 15, 2016

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