Poultry Farms Bird Flu Avian Influenza

Bird Flu Hits Mississippi Farm

Avitrol Corportation | March 21, 2025

The Mississippi Board of Animal Health (MBAH) reported late last week that a highly pathogenic avian flu outbreak has been confirmed in a commercial poultry farm, and it involves the H7N9 strain. This is significant because this particular virus hasn't been seen in U.S. poultry since 2017.

The outbreak took place at a broiler farm in Noxubee County, located in the eastern part of Mississippi near the Alabama border. The state veterinary lab confirmed the findings, which were then verified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa.

Thankfully, the infected birds were depopulated and did not enter the food supply. The MBAH is collaborating with federal veterinary officials on a coordinated response. This marks the third avian flu outbreak in Mississippi's commercial poultry industry since spring 2023. Plus, since November 2024, the virus has been spotted multiple times in migratory waterfowl across the state.

In total, more than 47,000 birds were depopulated. The outbreak began on March 8 when unusual deaths were reported at the farm. Depopulation was completed by March 13. The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) was notified, with the report noting that the H7N9 strain comes from a North American wild bird lineage.

This isn’t the first time H7N9 has caused trouble in U.S. poultry. The last time it was confirmed was in March 2017, when it hit two commercial farms in Tennessee.