Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 12/17/18



An estimated 40,000 chickens were culled at a commercial poultry farm in Wicomico County, Md., after mortality rates spiked higher than usual in recent days, according to the Delmarva Poultry Industry (DPI).

The broiler flock initially had been treated for bacterial disease, but an inconclusive test for avian influenza sparked the decision to cull the birds, the agency reported. A DPI spokesman added that samples from the flock have been submitted to the Maryland Dept. of Agriculture for additional testing.

The poultry industry in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia includes the 1,800 members of DPI, which most recently issued a warning about the presence of avian flu in Tennessee in March of 2017.

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