Highly pathogenic bird flu in South Carolina

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA), has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza (HPAI). It was found on a commercial turkey farm in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. HPAI in commercial poultry in the US was last registered in 2017. Most likely  this HPAI strain mutated from a low pathogenic strain, which was found in poultry in that area recently.

Obviously no human cases of this H7N3 have been detected and there is no immediate public health concern either.

quarantined The affected premises were depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease and the bird taken to rendering.

As part of existing AI response plans, Federal and State organisations are working together on additional surveillance and testing in the nearby area. The United States has a strong AI surveillance program. USDA is working with its partners to actively look for the disease in commercial poultry operations, live bird markets and in migratory wild bird populations.

USDA will report this finding to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) as well as international trading partners. USDA also continues to communicate with trading partners to follow OIE standards and minimize trade impacts. OIE trade guidelines call on countries to base trade restrictions on sound science and, whenever possible, limit restrictions to those animals and animal products within a defined region that pose a risk of spreading disease of concern.