On Mar. 26, 2026, Indiana’s poultry industry continues to face significant challenges as outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or avian influenza, spread across the state during the spring migratory season.

State officials report that new cases have been identified nearly every day in March, with more than 350,000 birds lost in just the first few weeks of the month. The most recent outbreak occurred at a commercial duck facility in Elkhart County, where more than 4,500 birds were affected.

Since February 2022, the virus has led to the depopulation of more than 10 million birds in Indiana, part of what authorities describe as the largest animal health emergency in U.S. history. The increased risk during spring is tied to migrating wild birds, which can carry and spread the virus globally. Despite the outbreaks, Indiana remains a leading producer in the poultry sector, ranking first in duck production and third in both eggs and turkeys nationwide.

Federal officials with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service are urging heightened biosecurity measures across farms, warning that transmission between facilities remains a serious concern. The agency offers voluntary assessments and tools to help producers identify vulnerabilities.

While the H5N1 strain has been detected in dairy cattle elsewhere in the United States, no cases have been confirmed in Indiana herds. Experts advise that properly cooked poultry, eggs and pasteurized dairy products remain safe for consumer