GIBSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Tennessee State Veterinarian reported a suspected case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at a commercial chicken facility in West Tennessee.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture said in a Wednesday press release that testing at the Breathitt Veterinary Center Laboratory in Hopkinsville, Kentucky was conducted following a spike in deaths in the flock. That laboratory determined that the cause is likely a form of HPAI, though sequencing to determine the exact strain is still pending.
HPAI is highly transmissible and deadly for domesticated fowl, the Department of Agriculture noted. Birds can be exposed through both human interaction and contact with wild birds. As such, officials said they established a 6.2 mile control zone surrounding the affected Gibson County facility. All poultry within that control zone will be tested and monitored for illness.
The department has a list of biosecurity tips and resources for dealing with HPAI, which you can read here. Officials also had the following suggestions for bird owners:
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after interacting with domesticated birds.
- Dedicate at least one pair of shoes to only be worn in coops or poultry houses. Clean those shoes following each visit.
- Regularly disinfect equipment used in those coops or poultry houses.
- Deter wild birds from interacting with any domesticated birds. You could hang pie pans or other noisemakers in nearby trees.
- Look for signs of illness. If you notice a sudden increase in the number of sick birds or bird deaths to the Tennessee State Veterinarian's office at (615) 837-5120. You can also report directly to the U.S. Department of Agriculture at 1-866-536-7593.
"Although we are awaiting final confirmation, we are confident the illness affecting this flock is HPAI,” Dr. Samantha Beaty said in the press release. “HPAI continues to circulate in our environment, particularly in the wild bird population. As always, we strongly encourage people who own birds to practice strong biosecurity to protect their flock."
Additionally, even though HPAI does not pose any risk to food safety, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture said no infected poultry would be permitted to enter the food supply. All poultry and eggs are safe to eat when both handled and cooked properly, the department added.
Officials will reach out to poultry owners within the control zone to explain what's going on, answer questions and provide information. Poultry movement within the control zone will require permitting until the zone is lifted.
Further, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture said the risk of human infection with avian influenza is very low; no transmission to humans was reported in a 2022 outbreak. The department stressed state officials and partners have experience effectively containing HPAI.
If you have concerns about your location, you can email officials or call (615) 837-5120. Staff can help you determine if your flock falls within the established control zone.