Bird flu H7N3 spreads in turkeys in California

USDA officials have confirmed a 2nd outbreak of low-pathogenic H7N3 avian flu in a California turkey flock, this time in Stanislaus. It follows the first outbreak that took place in the same county a week ago.

Officials detected the H7N3 strain as part of routine pre-slaughter surveillance within a 10-km radius of the 1st outbreak.

Partial sequencing data connects the virus to the earlier outbreak, which involved more than 26,000 turkeys.

State officials have quarantined the affected premises and implemented movement controls. “Depopulation and disposal of the birds on the premises is near completion,” the report notes.