Source: MEATINGPLACE, 3/19/15

About 61,000 turkeys were infected with low pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza on a commercial farm in Merced County, Calif., according to a report posted this week on the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) website.

It is California’s third case of bird flu in a commercial poultry flock, though the strains of the virus are different. Cases of highly pathogenic bird flu also have been found in Arkansas, Minnesota and Missouri.

In the latest case in California, a commercial tom turkey flock exhibited coughing with a slight increase in mortality, according to the OIE report. The infected premises were placed under quarantine following preliminary findings and an epidemiological investigation was initiated. Follow-up surveillance and testing on 10 nearby farms found negative results.

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service provided the information to OIE on Tuesday, the report said.
Dozens of nations — including Mexico and Canada — have already imposed bans covering either poultry products from specific states or a blanket ban on all U.S. poultry. 

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