On April 9, local time, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it had confirmed that a turkey flock in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, was infected with highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza (HPAI). This is the first time a highly pathogenic avian influenza case has been diagnosed in commercial poultry in the United States since 2017. The USDA said the HPAI strain appeared to be mutated from a low pathogenic strain in poultry in the area.
The US Department of Agriculture stated that there have been no human infections with the H7N3 avian influenza virus and no direct public health issues. But remind people to properly handle poultry and eggs and cook to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill bacteria and viruses.
The Clemson Veterinary Diagnostic Center of the United States has completed the testing of the samples. Virus isolation is in progress.
It is reported that the state government quarantined the affected buildings, and the poultry in them were also quarantined and would not enter the food system.