DAVIESS/MARTIN CO. — State animal health officials have confirmed the first detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Daviess County since 2024. The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) reported that the virus was identified on Tuesday at a commercial turkey operation.
As a result, more than 30,000 turkeys at the affected site will be depopulated to prevent further spread. BOAH has established a 6.2-mile control area (10 km) and a larger surveillance zone extending more than 12 miles (20 km) into portions of both Daviess and Martin counties. All poultry owners within these zones are being contacted for testing and heightened monitoring.
The Daviess County detection is part of a significant uptick in HPAI activity this February, largely attributed to the start of the spring wild bird migration. Indiana, which leads the nation in duck production and ranks third in both egg and commercial turkey production, has now seen several major detections in the first two months of 2026.
Other Indiana counties impacted by HPAI in 2026 include:
- Sullivan County: A commercial turkey farm (45,000+ birds) was quarantined earlier in February.
- Boone County: A commercial breeder turkey operation (approx. 18,700 birds) tested positive mid-month.
- Elkhart County: Multiple detections in commercial meat duck facilities.
- LaGrange County: Two separate detections in commercial duck flocks were reported in January.
Despite the spread among flocks, health officials emphasize that avian influenza does not pose a food safety risk. Poultry and eggs are safe to eat when handled and cooked properly.
In addition to poultry measures, BOAH is reminding the state’s dairy producers to remain vigilant. Under current federal mandates, lactating dairy cattle must have a negative HPAI test before being transported across state lines. The state has also expanded its milk surveillance program, testing samples at both farm and processor levels to ensure the health of the state’s dairy herds.
Poultry owners should look for sudden unexplained death, swelling, or purple discoloration around a bird’s head and comb. Report any suspicious symptoms to the Healthy Birds Hotline at 1-866-536-7593.
