Suspected Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Tennessee

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee State Veterinarian is reporting a suspected detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in West Tennessee. This occurrence affects a commercial chicken facility in Gibson County.

Following a sudden spike in deaths in the flock, testing at the Breathitt Veterinary Center Laboratory in Hopkinsville, Ky. determined the cause is likely a form of highly pathogenic avian influenza. Sequencing to determine the specific influenza strain is pending.

“Although we are awaiting final confirmation, we are confident the illness affecting this flock is HPAI,” Dr. Samantha Beaty said. “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.”

HPAI is a highly transmissible disease known to be deadly for domesticated fowl. Fowl can be exposed to HPAI through human interactions and through contact with wild birds.

Animal health officials have established a 10 kilometer (6.2 mile) control zone surrounding the affected facility. Within the zone, poultry will be tested and monitored for illness and poultry movement requires permitting until the zone is released. Animal Health staff members are reaching out to poultry owners within the control zone to explain the situation, answer questions, and provide information. If you have concerns about your location, please email Animal.Health@tn.gov or call (615) 837-5120 and staff will help determine if your flock is within the zone.

Although HPAI does not pose a food safety risk, no infected poultry will be allowed to enter the food supply. Poultry and eggs are safe to eat when handled and cooked properly. The risk of human infection with avian influenza during poultry outbreaks is very low. In fact, no transmission to humans was reported during the outbreak that affected backyard and commercial poultry farms in Tennessee in 2022.

Guidance for Bird Owners

1. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after interacting with domesticated birds.
   
2. Dedicate a pair of shoes to only be worn in coops or poultry houses and clean those shoes after each visit.
3. Regularly disinfect any equipment used in coops or poultry houses
4. Deter wild birds from interacting with domesticated birds. Consider hanging pie pans or other noisemakers in trees or, if local rules allow, set off
   firecrackers intermittently or when you see vultures or geese on your property.
5. Look for signs of illness and report a sudden increase in the number of sick birds or bird deaths to the Tennessee State Veterinarian’s office at (615) 837-5120 and/or USDA at 1-866-536-7593.

Find more biosecurity tips and HPAI resources online at www.tn.gov/agriculture/animals/animal-health-resources/animal-disease/avian-influenza.html.

State officials and partners have extensive experience in effectively containing the virus. Control of avian influenza includes coordination of resources and response, and protocols for quarantine, testing, disposal, cleaning, disinfection, and monitoring.

In Tennessee, more than 500 family farms contribute to the commercial poultry industry. The state is a global leader for primary breeders, and an estimated 45 percent of the chicken consumed worldwide traces to genetics from Tennessee operations. Broiler chickens are among the state's top agricultural commodities, generating $972.6 million in cash receipts in 2022.