Avian flu continues to spread in Indiana

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Officials say the number of cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or HPAI, continues to grow, with infections being confirmed or suspected in nearly two-thirds of Indiana counties.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources said Monday that the virus has been detected in wild birds in 30 counties. Cases are also suspected in 32 additional counties based on reports involving the deaths of raptors, cranes and waterfowl.

The Indiana State Board of Animal Health on Sunday reported a new case of avian flu involving a commercial egg laying operation in Jay County.

The DNR said more than 1,500 sandhill cranes have been affected by the virus since January, resulting in a large number of deaths in Greene, Jackson, Jasper, LaPorte, Newton, Starke and Union counties.

The other counties where avian flu has been detected in wild birds are Adams, Allen, Bartholomew, Benton, Boone, Clinton, Decatur, Gibson, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Henry, Huntington, Lake, Marion, Pike, Porter, Randolph, Ripley, Shelby, Tippecanoe, Vanderburgh and Vermillion counties.

“Members of the public should avoid contact with sick waterfowl and other sick wildlife whenever possible,” the DNR said in a news release. “However, if it is necessary to remove a carcass, safely dispose of it by wearing a mask and disposable gloves to double bag any carcasses and place them in a secure trash container. Alternatively, a wildlife control operator can be hired to remove carcasses.”

Hoosiers are encouraged to report any sick or dead wild birds to the DNR here.

The Board of Animal Health says the avian flu case in Jay County is the ninth reported infection in the county since early January. The name of the commercial egg laying operation involved is not being disclosed, but the board said the case involves a flock of 214,000 birds.

The affected birds have been placed under quarantine, and officials have set up a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) control area and a 20-kilometer (12.4-mile) surveillance zone around the operation.

Officials will test nearby flocks to ensure the virus has not spread into other areas, the board said.

The HPAI cases confirmed in Indiana so far this year are:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the public health risk for HPAI is low. However, it is possible for humans to contract HPAI. The DNR said members of the public should avoid contact with sick waterfowl and other sick wildlife whenever possible.

Prior to this year, the last instance of a positive test for avian flu was Feb. 23, 2024, in a non-commercial turkey flock in Allen County. The board said HPAI has been identified on more than 1,300 premises in all 50 states—including several in Indiana—since February 2022.