Rose Acre Farms on Wesclin Road in Germantown had chickens affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza. Photos by Matt Wilson More than 934,000 chickens have been lost following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, at a commercial egg-producing facility in Clinton County.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the outbreak was confirmed Monday, Oct. 19, at a commercial table egg-laying operation, where 934,600 birds were affected by HPAI.
Tanya Espinosa with the USDA said that they do not publicly identify HPAI-affected producers, however, a Germantown official confirmed the outbreak occurred at Rose Acre Farms, located on Wesclin Road just outside the Germantown village limits.
HPAI is a severe highly contagious form of avian influenza, most commonly associated with H5N1. It causes mortality in poultry and has been detected in wild birds worldwide.
Large piles of compost contain the remains of chickens following the confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza at a Clinton County poultry farm. There is no treatment for HPAI, so infected and exposed birds must be killed to contain the virus.
According to a press release, the Illinois Department of Agriculture was notified of the presence of avian influenza at a commercial poultry facility with just less than one million birds in Clinton County. IDOA has worked closely with state and federal officials to manage the situation, following established protocol for remediation.
While this is the first detection of HPAI in domestic poultry within Illinois this fall, detections are rising throughout the country as wild birds migrate.
Avian flu is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A influenza viruses. The viruses occur naturally and can infect poultry and wild birds. Virus strains are infectious, often fatal to chickens, and can spread rapidly from flock to flock.
Avian flu spreads quickly by direct, bird-to-bird contact. It also can spread indirectly, such as when domestic birds come in direct contact or even indirect contact with diseased migratory waterfowl. Viruses can be moved in manure, on egg flats, crates, or other farming materials and equipment. It can be spread by people who may have inadvertently picked the virus up on their clothing, shoes or hands.
Because humans can contract avian flu, they should not handle or attempt to capture wild waterfowl or other birds displaying signs of illness. Pets should be kept away from the carcasses of birds that may have died from avian flu. It is not recommended to feed raw milk or meat which could contain viruses to pets.
According to the company website, Rose Acre Farms is the second largest egg producer in the United States. It began as a small family operation with 1,000 hens. In the 1930s, the first two Rose Acre hen houses were constructed and had 500 hens each.
Rose Acre Farms produces various egg options including shell eggs, specialty eggs, liquid eggs, dried eggs and egg protein powder.
Rose Acre officials didn't return phone calls seeking comment regarding the HPAI at the facility.
The nationwide bird flu outbreak has been going on since 2022. It has resulted in the death of over 210 million birds.
