INDIANA – The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Bartholomew County following the discovery of dead Canadian geese near Lutheran Lake. One of seven deceased geese tested positive for the virus.
This detection highlights a rapidly spreading outbreak across Indiana. The DNR and the Indiana State Board of Animal Health attribute the spread to migrating waterfowl. Hundreds of sandhill cranes have also been found dead in Jackson County, particularly near the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge.
The virus poses a significant threat to Indiana’s poultry industry. Nearly 7 million chickens, turkeys, and ducks have been affected in at least 20 commercial facilities statewide. Outbreaks have been confirmed in Bartholomew, Jackson, Union, Greene, Jasper, Newton, LaPorte, and Stark counties. The initial major outbreak occurred at Rose Acre Farms’ Cort Acres facility in late January, marking the beginning of the widespread impact.
In Jackson County, the DNR reports numerous dead sandhill cranes, with a high concentration near the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge and the Jackson/Jennings county line. Dead cranes have also been found in rural areas between Brownstown and Seymour and along the East Fork White River near Brownstown.
Experts are actively researching the current strain of HPAI to understand its rapid spread. While supermarket eggs remain safe for consumption and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the risk to humans low, state officials are focused on protecting poultry populations.
The DNR and the Indiana State Board of Animal Health are urging vigilance as the virus evolves and spreads. They are actively monitoring the situation and working to mitigate the impact on wild and domestic bird populations.
