Bird flu confirmed in 2 poultry flocks in north Alabama
Published 4:38 pm Tuesday, March 21, 2017
- In this April 20, 2015 file photo, a sign warning visitors to stay away from an infected turkey farm in Melrose, Minn. The detection of a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu at a Tennessee chicken farm is reviving memories of a widespread domestic outbreak in 2015 that required the slaughter of millions of turkeys and chickens.
MONTGOMERY — Alabama officials have confirmed bird flu in two poultry flocks, just a week after three commercial breeders had to kill their chickens across the state line in Tennessee.
The state veterinarian announced that chickens are under quarantine after testing positive for the disease at a commercial breeding operation in Pickens County near the Mississippi line.
Dr. Tony Frazier’s statement says the disease also was found in a backyard flock in Madison County, near the Tennessee line.
Agriculture officials say this strain of avian flu poses no risk to humans and has not entered the food chain.
The Alabama Poultry and Egg Association says poultry is Alabama’s largest agriculture sector, generating about $15 billion in annual revenues and employing more than 86,000 people.
