Bird flu outbreak found at commercial chicken farm

A strain of bird flu has been found in a commercial chicken farm in the US.

The H7 strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or HPAI, was found in a flock of 73,500 chickens in Tennessee.

The US Department of Agriculture and state government agencies confirmed the discovery on Sunday, after a large number of the chickens had died.

The farm is owned by an individual who contracts with Tyson Foods.

“We’re responding aggressively, and are working with state and federal officials to contain the virus by euthanising chickens located on the farm,” Tyson said.

“All flocks located within a 6-mile radius of the farm will be tested and will not be transported unless they test negative for the virus.”

The United States Department of Agriculture issued a statement to say birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease, and will not enter the food system.

This is the first known case of HPAI in a commercial poultry facility in the United States this year, but in January 2016, a commercial turkey farm in Dubois County, Indiana, tested positive for the H7N8 strain of avian influenza.

To date, there have been no reports of avian influenza in people in Australia.

“These virus strains can travel in wild birds without them appearing sick,” the USDA said.

“People should avoid contact with sick/dead poultry or wildlife.

“If contact occurs, wash your hands with soap and water and change clothing before having any contact with healthy domestic poultry and birds.”

The reports say this kind of bird flu doesn’t pose a risk to the food supply, as bird flu usually just affects birds, and the risk of human infection during bird flu outbreaks is low.

There has been a surge in human infections with a H7N9 strain of the flu in China although the World Health Organsation said the risk of epidemic from that still remains low.

Flu specialists from around the world gathered in Geneva earlier this month to assess the global influenza situation and discuss with vaccine companies which viral strains should be in next winter’s flu shots.

Most cases of human bird flu infections are due to contact with infected poultry or surfaces that are contaminated with infected bird excretions: saliva, nasal secretions and faeces.

Symptoms of avian flu include fever, cough, sore throat and sometimes severe respiratory diseases and pneumonia.

Does news like this make you think about the food you eat or the places you travel, or even about keeping chickens yourself?