Bird flu deaths confirmed at Indiana egg producer. What to know
Indiana-based Rose Acre Farms, the second largest egg producer in the U.S., has confirmed fowl deaths from bird flu at its Indiana facility.
Rose Acre Farms, which has locations in seven states, posted to a social media page on Tuesday, that its Cort Acre Egg Farm in Seymour was recently tested for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu; this after it noticed chickens dying on Jan. 25.
The company said it sent samples to be tested as quickly as possible, and 'immediately implemented further biosecurity steps to our already established, stringent biosecurity protocol.'
The company has had prior experience with bird flu and knew the 'necessary steps to mitigate further spread,' it said. 'We have been and are continuing to work with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health and the state veterinarian on best practices to combat the risk of spreading AI to other birds. We are continuing to monitor all of our facilities.'
Rose Acre egg recall: FDA inspectors found rodents, filth and butt-scratching workers at farm
While the risk to other birds – including migratory waterfowl, backyard poultry, and commercial poultry – from bird flu inflections is high, the risk to people remains low, it said, adding that the Indiana State Board of Animal Health is monitoring the situation, the USDA is monitoring animal infections and the CDC is monitoring human infections.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources on Jan. 22 confirmed bird flu as the cause of death in waterfowl in December in a post to social media on Jan. 22.
Bird flu: Is it a threat to humans? What the CDC recommends.
'Indiana DNR has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) as the cause of death in Gibson County waterfowl in December and the suspected cause of death in waterfowl in Allen, Benton, Hamilton, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Pike, Porter, Starke, Tippecanoe, and Vermillion counties over the last six weeks,' it said. 'Most waterfowl species affected are snow and Canada geese, but mute and tundra swans, mallards, American white pelicans, common goldeneyes, and double crested cormorants deaths have also been noted.
'If you find wild waterfowl dead for no obvious reason, or showing signs such as sudden death; neurological impairments; lack of energy and appetite; head, neck or eye swelling; and nasal discharge, cough, sneezing, lack of coordination and diarrhea, report it online at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife.'
Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com:@cherylvjackson or Bluesky: @cherylvjackson.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Bird flu deaths confirmed at Indiana egg producer Rose Acre Farms
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