West Virginia (US) turkeys culled for bird flu

The samples were collected by an industry group as part of routine, pre-slaughter surveillance. The turkeys showed no signs of illness and there was no mortality.

USDA Chief Veterinarian John Clifford stressed, "Every indication is that the virus is consistent with low pathogenic strains of avian influenza, or LPAI, which are commonly found in birds and typically cause only minor sickness or no noticeable symptoms. We can say for certain this is not the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain." The National Veterinary Services Laboratory plans to run sequencing and pathogenicity tests to further identify the virus.

Approximately 25,000 turkeys were depopulated and all poultry operations within a 6-mile radius of the affected farm will be closely monitored.

Also, because the affected poultry producer participates in the expanded National Poultry Improvement Plan, the USDA will provide 100% indemnity for costs associated with depopulating the flock.

In keeping with international animal health standards which require reporting of all H5 and H7 detections, USDA will notify the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) of the West Virginia finding.

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