Ag Industry Battling Avian Flu Effects
The Indiana State Board of Animal Health says the state is fighting a perception problem as well as a health issue from a recent avian flu outbreak in 10 Dubois County turkey flocks. Public Information Director Denise Derrer says the state is trying to push the message that there are no food safety issues with products from Indiana’s poultry industry.
Derrer says poultry is a very important part of Indiana’s agriculture sector, saying the state is fourth in the nation for turkey production, and even higher in areas including ducks and eggs. She says the impact of similar outbreaks in states including Iowa and Minnesota has motivated Indiana producers to take a proactive approach to stamping out the disease.
The board says about 400,000 birds are affected by the current strain of avian flu. She says the turkeys will be depopulated and the operations will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Indiana State Board of Animal Health Public Information Director Denise Derrer says the “all clear” is still likely months away.