Ag officials: 2 Kentucky poultry sites cleared after bird flu outbreak in February

Kentucky and federal agriculture officials have given an all clear to two sites in western Kentucky identified earlier this year as having outbreaks of bird flu.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was confirmed at commercial chicken broiler in Fulton County Feb. 14. At that time, a second outbreak was suspected at a commercial turkey operation in Webster County, and confirmed shortly thereafter.

Since the detections, the sites have been under quarantine and a number of birds were killed to stop the spread of the deadly virus.

According to a Tuesday release from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service National Veterinary Laboratory confirmed negative test results from environmental samples taken from the sites, indicating no avian influenza. The KDA did not give a date for the negative test results.

“We are pleased both sites were given the clean bill of health,” the state’s agriculture commissioner, Dr. Ryan Quarles, said in part. “From the first day we identified avian influenza in the commonwealth, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture has worked closely with animal health officials at the federal and state levels to contain these incidents of avian influenza.”

Kentucky’s confirmed cases are part of a wider outbreak of bird flu among commercial producers and backyard tenders in the U.S. in recent months.

According to a HPAI dashboard from the USDA, 32 states have had at least one detection of an infected flock, affecting 36.66 million birds. The most recent detection was reported April 30.

The federal agency reports Iowa has the most birds affected by outbreak, at more than 13 million, while Minnesota leads in most flocks affected, at 56. That count includes commercial and backyard flocks.

According to USDA data, the two detections in Kentucky affected 284,700 birds.

In some places, including Illinois, officials have cautioned the public to remove outdoor bird feeders and clean bird baths to prevent the spread among wild birds.

While deadly to birds, HPAI poses little risk to humans, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The KDA previously said there is no risk to the food supply, as infected birds are not processed into the food system. The outbreak is pushing poultry prices higher, however, NPR recently reported.

The Tuesday release said the birds at the two Kentucky sites were “depopulated” and composted on the grounds while quarantine, surveillance, testing and decontamination proceeded. With the all clear, operations can now resume, including the introduction of new poultry.

Though testing was conducted at other Kentucky premises, no additional detections were confirmed.

“We are encouraged that no additional poultry premises in the commonwealth have been confirmed positive for the virus,” State Veterinarian Dr. Katie Flynn said. “We will remain vigilant and continue to investigate any suspected cases.”

If you have commercial or backyard birds, symptoms of the flu to be on alert for include decreased water and food consumption among your flock, unusually high mortality and respiratory symptoms.

The KDA has a website with information about how to best protect your flock.

To report sick or dead birds, call 1-866-536-7593.

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This story was originally published May 3, 2022 at 1:25 PM.