NASHVILLE, TENN. – The state veterinarian of Tennessee recently lifted avian influenza control zone protocols affecting commercial poultry farms in Obion County, Tenn., which was part of a 10-kilometer surveillance zone implemented in February after the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the US Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a flock of commercial broiler chickens in Fulton County, Ky., which sits on the Tennessee/Kentucky state line with Obion County.

State Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Beaty said international trading partners implemented restrictions affecting the state’s poultry industry. Animal Health Division staff in Tennessee and Kentucky coordinated an emergency response to eradicate the disease and help restore animal health and trade.

“Despite numerous detections across the US this year, HPAI has not been detected in a domestic Tennessee poultry flock to this point and we aim to keep it that way,” Beaty said. “It’s critical that poultry owners remain vigilant of their flocks and immediately report sudden illness or death. HPAI is easily spread among birds and is deadly to domesticated poultry.”

As of March 22, 17 states have reported incidents of HPAI in commercial and backyard poultry flocks.