Federal and state authorities say a case of avian influenza has been detected in a flock of commercial broiler chickens in Kentucky near the state’s border with Tennessee. The virus is deadly for domesticated chickens and turkeys.
Avian influenza does not present a food safety risk; poultry and eggs are safe to eat when handled and cooked properly. There is no risk to the food supply, but birds from the flocks will not enter the food system. No human cases of avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States.
While no cases of avian influenza have been reported in Tennessee, anyone involved with poultry production from a small backyard to a large commercial producer should review their biosecurity activities to ensure the health of their birds.
In Tennessee, poultry owners should report sick or unusual bird deaths to the USDA or to the Tennessee Department Of Agriculture at 615-837-5120.