The USDA confirmed the second case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in southern Tennessee since March 4, in a 55,000-bird broiler-breeder flock less than two miles from the first outbreak in Lincoln County. “Depopulation has begun,” a standard step to prevent spread of the bird flu virus that can wipe out an infected flock in two days, said USDA.
The discovery heightened “the threat of disease in the U.S. Southeast,” the major poultry-growing region, said Bloomberg. It said both of the Tennessee farms were broiler-breeder operation under contract to Tyson Foods. South Korea banned imports of U.S. chicken meat after the initial discovery, the first U.S. case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a year, and other nations have announced restrictions on U.S. shipments.
“Given the close proximity of the two premises, this is not unexpected,” said Tennessee state veterinarian Charlie Hatcher. “We will continue to execute our plan, working quickly to prevent the virus from spreading further.” As with the initial incident, USDA and Tennessee agriculture officials will monitor and test flocks of poultry in a 6.2-mile radius of the infected farm.
Wild waterfowl are believed to spread the virus. Hatcher recommended poultry owners prevent contact between their birds and wild fowl, avoid transportation or commingling of flocks, stay away from poultry shows or sales, and keep a close eye on flocks for signs of disease.
USDA said both Tennessee cases involved the North American strain of the H7N9 avian influenza virus. It was not the same as the Chinese strain of H7N9 that has struck poultry flocks and infected people in Asia, said USDA.
More than 50 million chickens and turkeys died in the worst-ever U.S. bird flu epidemic in 2014-15. Earlier this week, Alabama state officials said they were investigating three possible cases of bird flu in three counties along the state’s northern border with Tennessee. Lincoln County is along Tennessee’s border with Alabama.