Ten bird flocks in Indiana tested positive for avian influenza, though the virus confirmed in these birds is a different strain than the one that decimated the US poultry industry last year, wiping out some 48 million turkeys and chickens.

USDA announced last week the presence of a highly pathogenic H7N8 virus was found in a commercial turkey flock in Dubois County, IN. Nine other flocks in southwestern Indiana were later found to contain the presence of the virus.

State officials quarantined the affected premises and birds are already being euthanized. As part of existing avian influenza response plans, federal and state partners continue to work on additional surveillance and testing in the nearby area.  USDA says the rapid testing and response to these incidents is the result of months of planning with local, state, federal and industry partners—a result of last year’s outbreak.

Since the previous HPAI detections in 2015, USDA says it—along with state and industry partners—has learned valuable lessons to help implement stronger preparedness and response capabilities. In September, APHIS published a HPAI Preparedness and Response Plan that captures the results of this planning effort, organizing information on preparatory activities, policy decisions and updated strategy documents.