The sixth of seven confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Indiana has been flagged at Cort Acre Egg Farm in Seymour, Ind. Part of the Rose Acre Farms chain, this location is one of 16 owned by the second-largest egg producer in the U.S. across seven states.
While this facility has taken the necessary precautions to avoid contracting HPAI, the disease can still make its way past all the biosecurity protocols via migratory birds, according to Denise Derrer Spears, public information officer at the Indiana State Board of Animal Health.
“Poultry producers do the best they can to provide a healthy and disease-free environment,” Derrer Spears says. “But that can be difficult to maintain when the virus is present in the environment and frequently spread by wild, migratory waterfowl. They shed the virus in their droppings. Obviously, controlling migrating flocks of wild birds cannot be done.”
What happens next
Now that HPAI has been confirmed at the Seymour site, Rose Acre Farms is working with BOAH to ensure it follows measures to stop the spread of the virus. These measures include the following:
- Humanely depopulate and dispose of infected birds.
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect facilities.
- Obtain laboratory verification that no virus is present.
Derrer Spears explains that BOAH works with the producer to oversee this process and ultimately clear the farm to restock.
“BOAH’s role is to oversee and verify the response and clean-up efforts,” Derrer Spears adds. “The producer is responsible for performing the tasks or contracting them. Our agency ensures that all the benchmarks are met to ensure virus elimination happens. We also advise the producer on next steps.”
Additionally, BOAH works with commercial poultry producers in the 10-kilometer control area around the point of infection to ensure the virus is not present in their operations. For any birds or eggs to move off-site, the farm must test negative for HPAI. Once that happens, BOAH will issue movement permits for the birds or products.
“This is being completed daily for some of the farms, especially egg layers, because they ship eggs every day,” Derrer Spears says. “This is assurance of no virus, plus assurance to consumers that the eggs and poultry products in the grocery stores are not affected by HPAI.”
Bigger picture
As of Jan. 29, no other Rose Acre Farms locations in Indiana had tested positive for HPAI. With trucks travelling between the sites, there is always a risk, but Derrer Spears says strict biosecurity protocols are in place to avoid disease transmission. These measures include cleaning and disinfecting all trucks and equipment entering and leaving the farms, limiting human and vehicle traffic, and ensuring clean shoes and clothing are worn.
BOAH also assigns a staff veterinarian from its team as a case manager to each site. This individual oversees biosecurity practices, audits the operation and answers questions to ensure standards are met. Derrer Spears shares that, aside from the assigned case managers, the producers are already cognizant of disease risk and work to avoid any disease transmission.
“Poultry producers are very aware of the importance of biosecurity, as they have vested interest in keeping their flocks healthy and disease-free,” she says.
HPAI at home
Hobby poultry owners also play a role in stopping the spread of HPAI. It starts with identifying signs of disease: sudden death without clinical signs; lack of energy or appetite; decreased egg production; soft-shelled or misshapen eggs; swelling or purple discoloration of head, eyelids, comb or hocks; nasal discharge; coughing; sneezing; lack of coordination; and diarrhea.
If you notice any of these signs in your flock, call the USDA Healthy Birds Hotline at 866-536-7593. Derrer Spears says callers will be routed to a state or federal veterinarian in Indiana to assess their case. Ensure you double-bag any dead birds and refrigerate them for testing, if needed.
Stay up to date on confirmed cases at the BOAH HPAI dashboard.