H7N3 Found On Turkey Farm In Polk County Missouri

Situation Update No. 2

Missouri agriculture officials are investigating a low-pathogenic case of avian influenza at a Polk County poultry farm. Mike Martin, a spokesperson for Cargill, says the farmer contacted the Department of Agriculture and the state to report the incident at the farm late last week. Cargill owns the birds at the farm, which is not being identified. The department confirms a routine test came back positive for avian flu strand H7N3. This particular strain of the viral disease affects humans only in "extremely rare" cases, according to a Missouri Department of Agriculture press release announcing the outbreak. Martin says the birds didn't show symptoms. The USDA says the meat from a flock of 13,000 adult turkeys is safe to harvested. However, 14,000 to 15,000 young turkeys will be euthanized this week. A foam substance will be pumped into the facility to kill the birds. Cargill says it's impossible to identify the source of the flu outbreak. At this time, the Polk County farm has been quarantined as more tests are completed at the National Veterinary Services Lab in Ames, Iowa. It says flocks within six miles of the facility are receiving tests for the disease. Because avian flu is naturally occurring, there will be no punishment or repercussions to the farmer or Cargill. The USDA could reimburse the farmer for his loss of inventory. Missouri's State Vet, Public Health Vet and the USDA's Area Veterinarian in charge are overseeing the birds' care.

On Friday morning, the farm was full of trucks, trailers and loaders as those dead turkeys were hauled away.

People helping with the operation wore protective suits and masks, and tires were hosed off before leaving. Polk County Emergency Management Director Rick Lewis said the turkey carcasses were being taken to an undisclosed approved location. One person helping with the effort later told us that place is a landfill.