Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was confirmed in three “closely related” commercial turkey flocks in Piute County, Utah, the Utah Department of Food and Agriculture (UDAF) reported.
According to UDAF, those flocks collectively involved 107,800 turkeys. The presence of the virus was confirmed in one flock of 37,500 turkeys on November 12, another flock of 34,800 turkey on November 14, and a third flock of 35,500 turkeys on November 19.
The strains of the virus found in each flock is currently undergoing sequencing, the agency stated.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) earlier reported that HPAI had been confirmed in one flock in Piute County on November 12, but at the time, did not include information concerning the number of birds involved. APHIS has since updated its website, stating one affected flock included 37,500 turkeys – a figure that matches with UDAF data.
“Affected birds were depopulated within 24 hours of diagnosis at each site to limit further disease spread. Overall impacts to the food supply are anticipated to be limited at this time,” a press release from UDAF read.
“When animal health events that require depopulation occur, UDAF consults with the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on appropriate disposal to ensure there are no threats to environmental, animal, or public health. Disposal of affected poultry and contaminated materials for the recent Piute County outbreak will take place through on-site burial. This disposal method and site was determined to be acceptable based on criteria provided by the DEQ to ensure no impact to groundwater or other environmental concerns. As additional safety measures, all equipment leaving the site will be disinfected and all personnel are required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce the risk of infection and avoid moving the virus off the site. State and federal personnel are on-site to ensure all requirements for disinfection and proper disposal are followed.”
The only other case of HPAI to be reported in Utah in 2024 involved a commercial flock of 1,852,900 commercial table egg laying hens. That instance was confirmed on October 15.
More Canadian flocks struck by HPAI
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reported that the presence of HPAI was confirmed in two more commercial poultry flocks in Abbotsford, British Columbia, on November 21.
Information concerning flock type and size was not disclosed by the CFIA.
British Columbia has now had 36 commercial poultry flocks affected by HPAI in November alone.
Also on November 21, HPAI was confirmed in two non-commercial flocks in British Columbia, but those detections should not have an impact on international poultry trade, according to rules set by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
View our continuing coverage of the global avian influenza situation.
To learn more about HPAI cases in commercial poultry flocks in the United States, Mexico and Canada, see an interactive map on WATTPoultry.com.
