Low-path H7N1 detected at Missouri turkey farm

Veterinary officials in the United States today reported a presumptive low-pathogenic H7N1 avian influenza outbreak at a commercial turkey farm in Missouri, according to a notification today from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).  The virus was detected during routine preslaughter tests on Feb 26 for H5 and H7 viruses, and no signs of clinical illness or an increase in turkey deaths were reported at the farm. Jasper County is in southwestern Missouri. The farm where the virus was detected houses 20,000 birds, which will be depopulated through controlled marketing, a strategy that allows poultry that are infected with or exposed to low-pathogenic H5 and H7 viruses to move to market on a limited basis, according to state response plans.  Read more