Another Indiana Poultry Farm Tests Positive for Bird Flu

Over 900,000 birds lost since October due to the virus

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Indiana State Board of Animal Health has detected highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at a commercial meat duck facility in Elkhart County, marking the first detection of the virus in the state since January. This latest outbreak comes after over 900,000 birds have been depopulated on farms across northern Indiana since October 2025 due to the virus.

Why it matters

Indiana is a major poultry-producing state, ranking first in the U.S. for duck production, third for egg production, and fourth for turkey production. The spread of bird flu poses a significant threat to the state's poultry industry and local economies that rely on it.

The details

The latest impacted facility in Elkhart County had a flock size of 10,739 birds. Since October 9, 2025, over 900,000 birds have been depopulated on commercial poultry farms across Elkhart, LaGrange, and Noble counties, which represent one of the most densely-populated areas for poultry production in the U.S.

  • The Indiana State Board of Animal Health detected the latest case of HPAI late Thursday evening.
  • Since October 9, 2025, over 900,000 birds have been depopulated on commercial poultry farms across northern Indiana.

The players

Indiana State Board of Animal Health

The state agency responsible for monitoring and responding to animal health issues, including the detection of the latest case of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

USDA

Federal officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture have stated that HPAI does not present a food safety risk, and that cooked poultry, eggs, and pasteurized dairy products remain safe to eat.

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The takeaway

The spread of bird flu in Indiana's poultry-producing regions poses a significant threat to the state's agricultural economy and food supply. Continued monitoring and swift response from state and federal agencies will be crucial to containing the outbreak and minimizing the impact on farmers and consumers.