From staff reports OKLAHOMA CITY – Two commercial flocks in Adair County confirmed a positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) over the last two weeks, reported the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the positive cases.
Lee Benson, an ODAFF spokesperson, confirmed to KGOU that about 64,000 broiler breeder chickens were initially euthanized to contain the virus and on Dec. 10, after another detection, about 40,000 additional birds were culled.
“We knew it was possible that HPAI may be detected in more than one flock due to the virus being circulated around the country by wild waterfowl,” said Oklahoma State Veterinarian Dr. Rod Hall in a ODAFF press release. “We are continuing to work closely with USDA, poultry producers and livestock producers to control and mitigate the spread of this disease in our state.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HPAI detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern. It remains safe to eat poultry products. There is no risk to the food supply, but the affected birds will not enter the food supply system. Proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚ Fahrenheit kills bacteria and viruses.