STATEWIDE — The H5 avian flu outbreak in Indiana isn’t over just yet, says the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Typical bird viruses usually die off in the summer time, says Dr. Michelle Benavidez, Wildlife Health Biologist with the Indiana DNR. But the H5 avian flu has proven itself to be quite persistent.
“This particular strain has stuck around a little longer,” explains Dr. Benavidez, “here in Indiana we’re not seeing a resurgence, but we are anticipating it.”
The DNR is anticipating a resurgence because we are now entering wild waterfowl hunting season, and wild waterfowl are believed to be mostly responsible for bringing avian flu to commercial poultry farms and hobby flocks across Indiana. The main concern is avian flu spreading to birds belonging to hunters, but Dr. Benavidez says there’s an extremely rare chance that the flu could possibly spread to a hunter.
“It’s very low risk contracting avian influenza. Human transmission has been extremely rare. I believe in this outbreak, it’s only happened once,” says Dr. Benavidez.
She says the best advice for hunters is to keep any wild waterfowl that they kill away from their flock of birds, thoroughly clean and disinfect the waterfowl and any equipment used.
This is the latest H5 avian flu outbreak summary from the Indiana State Board of Animal Health:
COMMERCIAL POULTRY FLOCKS:
Total number of affected premises = 9
Premises by County/Number of flocks:
Dubois: 4 flocks
Greene: 2 flocks
Elkhart: 3 flocks
HOBBY FLOCKS:
Total number of affected premises = 5
Premises by County/Number of flocks:
Johnson: 1 flock
Allen: 3 flocks
Elkhart: 1 flock
TOTAL NUMBER OF BIRDS AFFECTED:
Commercial Turkeys: 171,224
Commercial Ducks: 19,679
