Avian influenza investigated on Missouri turkey farm

Polk County, Mo.

— A Missouri farm was quarantined and is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) after an outbreak of Avian influenza (H7N3).

The Missouri Department of Agriculture released the results of its investigation April 1, saying USDA tests confirmed an “apparent subclinical infection of low-pathogenic avian influenza” on a flock of turkeys at a Polk County farm. The Missouri state veterinarian had been notified about the presence of the virus after routine testing at the farm in mid-March.

Biosecurity measures immediately were put in place and the facility was quarantined, according to the Missouri Department of Agriculture (DOA).

Later tests performed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, determined there was no shedding of the virus, and adult birds at the farm were released from quarantine March 31 and transported to a meat-processing facility. The DOA says younger birds on the farm were depopulated according to biosecurity protocols. Wild birds within six miles from farm also are being periodically tested for the virus.