Foster Farms discovered the presence of avian influenza at the ranch of one of its turkey suppliers. The strain was not identified.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the US Department of Agriculture quarantined the ranch and culled the birds over the weekend, Foster Farms reported. The company discovered the virus at the farm in rural Stanislaus County, Calif., during ongoing surveillance for avian influenza.
No poultry products in the marketplace are impacted, the company said in a statement.
“Since late 2014, ongoing avian influenza incidents have been detected in wild waterfowl and backyard poultry operations along the Pacific Flyway,” Foster Farms said. “As a result, Foster Farms increased biosecurity measures at all West Coast facilities and is actively partnering with state and national agricultural and veterinary leaders to prevent potential avian exposure.”
