The outbreak of Avian Influenza in Moniteau County was caught early due to symptoms in the infected flock.
According to Michael Martin, Cargill Inc., Director of Communications, Wichita, Symptoms for the avian influenza (AI) H5N2 strain are obvious when it is present. Once the symptoms showed up at the Fortuna farm's turkey barns, it was obvious there was a high probability it would turn out to be AI. The farmer contacted Cargill and the Missouri Department of Agriculture was also contacted. The state was able to initially confirm a positive test, pending final confirmation from the USDA/APHIS lab at Ames, Iowa. The farm and the company immediately implemented the AI protocols. Those protocols include testing flocks in a 12-mile radius of the impacted farm. Three barns were affected on this farm, with a total of about 22,000 turkeys.
"Because the U.S. poultry industry has previously experienced AI, there are coordinated response mechanisms in place and inform is communicated and shared among all relevant parties. The primary goal is a situation like the current one is to contain and prevent the spread of AI," Martin said. Prior to the infected flocks being identified in Moniteau and Jasper counties in Missouri, this strain of avian influenza was identified in several states. It has since been identified in Boone County, Ark., and Leavenworth County, Kans. Several areas are being observed and flocks tested.
The turkeys from the infected barns have been destroyed and the carcasses disposed of. This strain of avian influenza, rarely transferred to people, is not considered a public health issue. This strain of avian influenza has previously been identified in wild birds using what is known as the "Mississippi flyway."
The department requests that sick birds or unusual bird deaths be reported to state or federal officials: MDA at 573-751-3377 or USDA 1-866-536-7593.
Poultry affected by avian influenza can show many symptoms, including decreased food consumption, huddling, depression, closed eyes, respiratory sings such as coughing or sneezing, decreased egg production, watery greenish diarrhea, excessive thirst, swollen wattles and combs, high mortality and sudden death.