Bird flu found in snow geese in Indiana

Indianapolis, Indiana — Snow geese and other water birds from Gibson County in southwest Indiana have been diagnosed with bird flu, and a commercial turkey flock in the nearby Daviess County has been suspected of having the disease, according to state officials.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources said Monday that 700 birds, mostly snow geese, had just been discovered dead in western Gibson County. There are already more than 100,000 snow geese there, according to the report.

According to the organization, birds with bird flu may exhibit peculiar behaviors such as abnormal swimming patterns, tremors, a twisted neck, and a general lack of coordination. Additionally, nasal discharges, cough, sneezing, and diarrhea are common in sick birds. Some infected birds won’t show symptoms of illness.

People who encounter sick birds or discover numerous dead birds in one location should report them to the organization.

Meanwhile, a commercial flock of 11,394 turkeys at a farm in Daviess County tested presumptively positive for bird flu and have been quarantined, according to a report published on Sunday by the Indiana State Board of Animal Health.

The national U.S. Department of Agriculture laboratory in Iowa will conduct confirmatory tests on the samples, according to the board.

This year, the board reported that 10 commercial flocks of ducks and turkeys tested positive for avian flu statewide.