The second case of avian influenza has been confirmed in Tennessee. The TN Department of Agriculture released a statement on its website Thursday (3/9/17). The state veterinarian confirmed a flock of chickens in Giles County, TN, tested positive for avian influenza.
The Giles County flock was part of a commercial poultry breeding operation. On March 6, routine screening tests at the premise detected H7N9 LPAI. LPAI stands for low pathogenic avian influenza.
The company operating the Giles county operation is separate from the Tyson contracted farm that was announced on Sunday to have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). It is not believed at this time that the two premises spread the virus to each other.
The low pathogenic and highly pathogenic viruses from both counties are an H7N9 strain of avian influenza. The USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed that the strain is of North American wild bird lineage, not the same as the China H7N9 virus affecting Asia. The difference in LPAI and HPAI is primarily the mortality rate. Birds with LPAI may show little or no signs of being infected. HPAI often results in death.
The Giles county flock has been depopulated and buried. The premise is under a quarantine. Poultry within a 10 km (6.2 mile) radius of the site have also been placed under a quarantine and are undergoing testing. The Lincoln County premises affected by HPAI are still under quarantine.
It is important to remember that both HPAI and LPAI do not pose a risk to the food supply. Poultry operations are encouraged to enforce biosecurity on their facilities to keep their flocks safe from avian influenza.
Check out our Biosecurity Resource page for detailed information on keeping your facility biosecure.
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Caitlyn Andrews
Author