INDIANAPOLIS – Hoosier poultry producers are being advised to remain vigilant and to follow safety procedures after cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were found at commercial duck operations in northern Indiana in the first half of October.

This is the first time since May that poultry operations in the state have had confirmed cases of HPAI.

As of press time, HPAI had been found in five flocks totaling more than 22,600 ducks in Elkhart and LaGrange counties. Birds at two of the sites – one in each county – had been destroyed, according to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH). The first detection was announced by BOAH Oct. 9, the second the next day, and three more were announced Oct. 13.

“We are hopeful this is not setting the pattern for the rest of the season, but, realistically, we have several months ahead of us when, historically, the number of cases are likely to be higher,” said Denise Derrer Spears, BOAH public information director.

“The recent, early October detections are earlier than we would normally expect,” she explained. “However, the findings are not entirely unexpected for a couple of reasons: reports of fall bird migration are underway and wildlife monitoring systems show that birds have been on the move. Also, HPAI detections have spiked nationally, with several reports in states north and west of us in the last three to four weeks. Minnesota has been hit especially hard, early.”

The five Indiana sites have been placed under quarantine, and 10 6.2 mile control areas and 12.4 mile surveillance zones have been established, BOAH said. Portions of Elkhart, LaGrange and Noble counties are in the control areas and surveillance zones.

Spears said all poultry owners should evaluate their biosecurity practices for any weak points. Foot traffic should be limited into and out of poultry houses and on farms with only essential people allowed, she said.

“When entering, make sure hands and feet are clean – including wearing shoe covers or boots dedicated to that space only,” Spears said. “Limit wild bird contacts, including eliminating roosting areas, like brush and trees near poultry houses. Monitor birds for any signs of illness and report them early.”

The Healthy Birds Hotline is 866-536-7593.

The ongoing HPAI event – which began in Dubois County, Ind., in February 2022 – is the largest animal health emergency in the nation’s history, BOAH said. More than 8.5 million commercial egg layers, turkeys and ducks have been destroyed in Indiana since 2022, the agency said.

HPAI is not a food safety risk, the agency said, noting cooked poultry and eggs, and pasteurized dairy products are safe to eat.

Spears said BOAH’s Avian Division is in constant contact with commercial poultry growers who might have concerns or questions about what is happening in the environment or in their flocks.

“The Elkhart-LaGrange area is particularly dense in poultry farms, so concern is running high,” she said. “Several hundred poultry farms are impacted by the control areas and surveillance zones around the five affected farms. That requires a lot of coordination for surveillance testing and permits to move birds and products on and off of farms to ensure continuity of business.”