Thousands of broiler chickens and turkeys in Indiana and Kentucky have been culled as concerns grow over outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Nine cases have now been confirmed in less than two weeks. Officials believe migratory waterfowl are spreading the disease and recommend producers avoid waterfowl and their droppings. Keeping birds indoors and ensuring they don’t come into contact with wild birds is critical in avoiding spread of the disease. Other confirmed cases have been backyard flocks in Virginia, Maine and New York. The cases come seven years after the widespread epidemic that killed 50 million birds in 2014 and 2015.

Read more on bird flu cases and prevention here.