Via CNN.com: Avian flu suspected at Missouri facility. This sounds like a routine low-pathogenic avian influenza, which is a disaster for the local poultry industry but no threat to humans. Excerpt:
A poultry facility in southwest Missouri was quarantined after the discovery of a suspected case of bird flu, officials said.
"As a precaution, the poultry facility has been quarantined following preliminary results obtained during routine testing," the Missouri Department of Agriculture said in a news release.
Additional tests will authenticate the viral disease at the Polk County facility, the state said Wednesday, adding that it is extremely rare for humans to be affected by this type of bird flu.
Cargill Corp. will euthanize up to 15,000 younger birds exposed to older turkeys that tested positive for bird flu antibodies, said Mike Martin, director of communications for the company.
Martin said Thursday the older birds are being harvested at another Missouri location. Their meat poses no health risk, he said.
Flocks within six miles of the facility are being tested. Test results may be back as early as Friday, Cargill said.
