More Than 400K Birds Destroyed To Contain Avian Flu Outbreak

Since Saturday, there have been no new H7N8 cases in the Dubois County avian flu outbreak. The investigation area was expanded an additional 10 kilometers from the origin with additional testing for birds within that radius.

As of Tuesday evening, a spokesperson for Indiana’s Joint Information Center confirmed that approximately 413,000 birds have been, or are in the process of being euthanized. Of the birds, about 62 percent are turkeys while the rest are chickens that were not infected, but were considered to be in “dangerous contact” with an infected turkey flock.

Local turkey farmers Ann Denu and her husband have felt the strain of these past few days. While their turkeys have tested negative, Denu explains how it has taken a toll.

As temperatures drop and snow is forecast, workers are testing flocks and euthanizing those that are affected. The surveillance will continue for at least 21 days after the last positive test for the avian flu virus is reported before this outbreak is declared over.