Bird Flu Hits Major Indiana Turkey Farm

First case in southern Indiana in nearly a year detected on 45,686-bird facility in Sullivan County

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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For the first time in nearly a year, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus has been detected on a commercial turkey farm in southwestern Indiana. The Indiana State Board of Animal Health confirmed the positive case on a 45,686-bird facility in Sullivan County, which borders Illinois.

Why it matters

Indiana is a major poultry-producing state, ranking fourth nationally for turkey production and first for duck production. Any outbreak of bird flu can have significant economic impacts on the state's agricultural industry and lead to concerns about food supply and safety.

The details

State health officials did not disclose the name or exact location of the impacted farm. The last time a positive HPAI case was detected in southwestern Indiana was in late February 2025 in Washington County. Since then, all reported cases in the state have been in northern Indiana, primarily on commercial duck, broiler, and egg farms.

  • The positive case was detected on February 15, 2026.
  • The last previous case in southwestern Indiana was in late February 2025.

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 bird flu outbreak on the Sullivan County turkey farm.

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What’s next

State and federal officials will work to contain the outbreak, including potentially culling the infected flock, disinfecting the facility, and monitoring other nearby poultry farms for any additional spread of the virus.

The takeaway

This outbreak in a major turkey-producing region of Indiana highlights the ongoing threat of avian influenza and the need for continued vigilance and preparedness in the poultry industry to protect both animal and human health.