Low-path avian influenza (LPAI) has been detected at a commercial broiler breeder farm in Hopkins County, Texas.  This latest detection of H7N1 is the second in 2018.  The H7N1 virus was discovered during routine, pre-slaughter testing and surveillance for H5/H7 avian influenza strains. Roughly 24,000 birds at the farm were exposed.  Reports of slightly increased mortality and a decrease in egg production were reported for this flock.

The first finding in 2018 of H7N1 occurred at a commercial turkey farm in Jasper County, Missouri, and was confirmed on March 3.  There were no signs of illness or an increase in turkey deaths reported at the farm.  At least 20,000 birds were culled through controlled marketing, which allows poultry infected with, or exposed to, low-pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) to be moved to market on a limited basis.

A third detection of LPAI H7 incident was confirmed in a backyard chicken layer flock in Webster County, Missouri, on March 15, 2018.  UEP is continuing to monitor this situation for additional details or new detections.