MARION COUNTY — On June 30, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health reported that a hobby/non-poultry flock in Marion County tested positive for the H5 avian influenza virus.
The hobby flock included a goose and a chicken.
They were tested after two wild birds in the area tested positive for HPAI.
As a result, local flocks in the surrounding areas need to be tested to ensure the virus has not spread.
BOAH staff said they will be reaching out to poultry owners within the surveillance zone to schedule testing as part of required area surveillance.
The BOAH report listed nine commercial flocks in surrounding areas, but all their control areas have been lifted. They are cleared to restock poultry at the owners’ discretion.
Wild bird surveillance is also working to monitor conditions of non-flock environments. They have sampled nearly 300 wild bird species in the area. So far positive tests have come back from two bald eagles, two red-tailed hawks, a redhead duck, two great-horned owls and a double-crested cormorant.
The wild bird species most likely to carry HPAI are waterbirds and raptors which do not typically visit bird feeders.
The BOAH advises that hobby poultry owners should be aware of the signs of avian influenza and report illness and/or death to the USDA Healthy Birds Hotline: 866-536-7593.
The signs of avian influenza include:
- 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 and hocks
- nasal discharge
- coughing
- sneezing
- lack of coordination
- diarrhea
Avian influenza does not present a food safety risk for people and poultry and eggs are safe to eat. Officials are not aware of any public health significance with this virus and no human cases have been reported.
-
Missing 37-year-old Anderson man found deceased
On July 11, police said they received multiple tips from people who had recently seen Smith. This led authorities to the 2700 block of West 38th Street.
Court docs: Roommate arrested following death of woman on Indy's east side
Officers arrived at the scene and found an adult woman with injuries consistent with trauma wounds to her body. EMS pronounced her deceased at the scene.
Man, juvenile dead in shooting on northwest side of Indy; 19-year-old arrested
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a shooting that killed a man and a juvenile on the northwest side of Indianapolis early Saturday morning.
IMPD urges peace this weekend after recent gun violence
This comes after a mass shooting last weekend that killed two and injured five. IMPD and Indiana State Police will have an increased presence downtown this weekend.
